Whether it’s because they relieve boredom, raise depressed spirits, or provide that extra cuddle, therapy dogs are being proven to help kids beat cancer. They also help the families who are stressed out over their loved ones.
The study is being done by the American Humane Association at five children’s hospitals, paid for by Zoetis and The Pfizer Foundation.
The video highlights some of the successes they’ve had so far.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
I have a friend who takes his dock-diving champion dog Thor to local elementary schools every week to help kids learn to read without the fear of a listener making fun of them when they stumble over words. One of his students told him that she brought her reading grade from a D to a B since reading to Thor.
Recently, the ASPCA’s ProBlog ran a feature on this topic. Here’s what they had to say: Continue reading Programs that encourage kids to read to animals
United Airlines announced they are deploying comfort dogs to major airports throughout the country to make traveling at Christmas a little less onerous. According to a press release, United Paws, a program designed to deliver smiles to customers, brings professionally trained comfort dogs to airports in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark and Washington/Dulles. The United Paws crews will greet customers from Dec. 21 through Dec. 23, each day between 9 a.m. and noon and between 1 and 4 p.m.
Continue reading Flying Home for Christmas Just Got a Little Bit Easier
For her owner Renice Zimmerman of Yorktown, Virginia, “Wynd” is an once-in-a-lifetime therapy dog. Wynd has served on the therapy dog team for military surviving family members at The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) National Seminar in DC for the past three Memorial Days and has volunteered at the Survivor Outreach Service booth at military events many times. Continue reading Meet the AKC ACE Honoree for Therapy Dogs
I posted this week about an innovative program in NYC, pairing dogs with underprivileged kids at schools. What about your dog – does he have a job?
[poll id=”82″]
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
My two passions, dogs and at-risk kids, brought together in this amazing program in New York City.
Read more on Woofipedia and on A Fair Shake for Youth‘s website.
What a wonderful outreach!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
I posted an article yesterday on the value of therapy animals. Have you ever been lucky enough to have a dog (or other animal) come visit you when you were in need?
[poll id=”48″]
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
From our local school for kids with developmental disabilities:
By Carolyn Keller, RS Southgate School Intervention Specialist
Southgate School welcomes the return of Therapy Dogs International “Tail Wagging Tutors!” Each dog, accompanied by a volunteer, visits classrooms in the morning. Teachers need to sign up in advance to participate. The dogs will visit on the first and third Wednesdays of each month for the remainder of the school year.
Continue reading Tail Wagging Tutors
I have spent most of last week at Akron Children’s Hospital with a new foster child who is recovering from surgery. One of the really cool things (among many) that they do there is post several Walls of Fame throughout the hospital, featuring their therapy dogs. Thought you might enjoy seeing one of them.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Remember Chopper? He’s back, and recently accompanied Adam to his dental appointment. Adam, who has Down Syndrome, recently spent three years fighting leukemia, so he’s about had it with any experience related to the medical field. Chopper was able to help him calm down long enough to get the exam done.
Chopper (who is very talented and can even write stuff on his own Facebook timeline) has this to say about the experience: Adam was excited to walk into the dentist office with me, showing me off to everyone, taking his mind off why he was even there. Then providing the comfort and letting Adam hold my paw during the exam… Adam was totally at ease and relaxed.
Being a therapy dog, it is a wonderful feeling knowing I was able to provide comfort, even if it was just being there, or to lend a “paw”.
Way to go Adam!!
And way to go, Chopper!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!