Therapy Thursday: Halloween Parade at All Children's Hospital

On Therapy Thursday, we highlight other Therapy Animals and the services they provide.

Last year, several of the Pet Therapy team dogs and their owners visited children at All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine to bring joy to kids who may not be able to Trick or Treat at home.  All Children's employees host a Trick or Treat parade for the kids who are hospitalized over Halloween.  Including the Pet Therapy team in this parade made it even more special this year.

Adopt a Military Working Dog (MWD), and Save a Soldier!

Military Working Dogs (MWD) can be adopted into homes.  These K-9's are soldiers that did not volunteer for their jobs, but did them anyway with every ounce of energy they had. Soldiers that no matter what the task, the long hours, heat, cold, rain or shine, could be counted on to do their duty. Soldiers that deserve the best. For anyone who can handle the unique needs of these special animals, you'll never find a better dog.

The Military Working Dog School operates out of Lackland Air Force Base outside San Antonio, TX. This is the official adoption site for all MWD's, and the only site you need if you are interested in adopting one of these K-9 heroes as part of your family.

For more information about how to adopt a dog go to saveavet.org.

Therapy Dogs are SuperHeros!

Patient Isabelle Stadella hugs Joca, a trained therapy dog, during a session at Hospital Infantil Sabara in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 18, 2013. A therapy dog is trained to provide affection and comfort to patients in hospitals.  (Photo compliments of Reuters/Nacho Doce)

Therapy dogs provide comfort and distraction to kids in children's hospitals around the world.  I just had to share this wonderful picture that embodies the spirit of the great service that Therapy Dogs provide to young children in need.

The Largest International Rescue of Golden Retrievers Ever!

Golden Retrievers used to be seen as a status symbol in Turkey, but after a short while the novelty wore off, and many people gave their dogs up to the government.  Some lived in shelters, but there were so many of them given up, there just wasn't enough room for all the dogs in the shelters.  Many dogs lived on the street or in the forest on their own.  An American living in Istanbul felt sorry for the dogs and wanted to help.  They contacted Adopt a Golden Atlanta rescue organization, whose mission is to "never say no to a golden retriever in need."  Adopt a Golden Atlanta stepped in to help!

Since then, Adopt a Golden Atlanta has rescued 94 Golden Retrievers from Istanbul, Turkey, this year. The first flight arrived on May 9 and was the largest international rescue of Golden Retrievers ever.

The National Rescue Committee of the Golden Retriever Club of America supports AGA's effort as there are no Golden Retrievers being put at risk in the U.S. because of this rescue. The Turkish Government and shelter volunteer colleagues in Istanbul wanted a better life for these dogs and worked together with AGA to make this happen.

Therapy Thursday: Meet Olive!

On Therapy Thursday, we highlight other Therapy Animals and the services they provide.

Meet Olive, a three year old Dalmatian set on comforting patients at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Olive and her owner Stephanie go to Johns Hopkins and see patients all throughout the day. Patients say that a visit from Olive changes their whole day. Eight years ago Stephanie and Olive became volunteers for the therapy program, Pet Partners. This organization is dedicated to improving people's health through positive interactions with therapy animals. Stephanie says that "dogs can put patients at ease in a way that humans can't."  

Thank you, Olive for your wonderful service to the patients in need at Johns Hopkins Hospital!

Have Airports Gone to the Dogs?

Yes!  Did you know that Therapy Dogs can be very helpful at the Airport?  Paws 4 Passengers is a great program offered in the Reno-Tahoe Airport.  Therapy Dog teams, with one human and one lovable "Please Pet Me" dog, volunteer at the airport.  Their job is to reduce the stress and anxiety of traveling with smiles.  Dogs are proven to calm people in stressful situations and even lower blood pressure.

These teams walk through the airport giving passengers a bit of furry entertainment and love.  They provide a welcome distraction to a slow moving line, delays, cancellations, or a fear of flying. Children and adults both love the Paws 4 Passengers program!

The Paws 4 Passengers program thanks the many members of the traveling public who encourage them to continue this unique customer service and appreciate the airport's support.

I am working to bring Therapy Dogs to our airports in the Greater Tampa Bay Area!  Stay tuned for updates on our progress!

Therapy Thursday: Meet Tucker!

On Therapy Thursday, we highlight other Therapy Animals and the services they provide.

Tucker volunteers in the Paws to Read program at All Children's Hospital's Family Resource Center Library.  Tucker loves being read to by hospital patients and families.  Kids also love spending time reading with our Pet Therapy dogs.

Studies show that reading to dogs can improve children's reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to an animal.  If you would like to review the research, visit R.E.A.D., by Intermountain Therapy Animals.

Our dogs, Lady and Merlin, are certified R.E.A.D. dogs (Reading Education Assistance Dogs).  Lady and Merlin have applied to participate in Paws to Read at All Children's Hospital in the future...so stay tuned!

Therapy Thursday: Meet Fletcher!

On Therapy Thursday, we highlight other Therapy Animals and the services they provide.


Fletcher, this therapy dog, LOVES kids. (And not just kids with chihuahuas on their shirt.) Animal-assisted therapy can significantly reduce pain, anxiety, depression in people with a range of health issues. And it makes kids smile. We like that too!

Fletcher is a part of the pet therapy team who volunteer at All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine.