Lady & Merlin Visit the Corey Avenue Sunday Morning Market

Visiting public places is one of the ways that we help train our dogs to be calm and obedient in unique situations.  This week, we took Lady and Merlin to the Corey Avenue Sunday Morning Market in St. Pete Beach.  This quaint main street turns into a fun outdoor market each Sunday with live music.  You'll find crafts, homemade food, homemade goods, produce, plants and much more in this great market.

Lady and Merlin
at the Corey Avenue Sunday Market

We bring the dogs here now and again to experience all of the sights, smells, and sounds and this helps train them for surprise situations that they may encounter on a therapy dog visit to a hospital, public library, airport, or other facilities.  They are very good at responding in challenging situations, but we give them regular practice in settings like this.

The young and the young-at-heart came over to see our two Collies and talk with us about their work as Therapy Dogs.  We had a great time at the market.  Check out the market here!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving day is a time to be grateful for all that we are blessed with.  Today I 'm thankful for all the opportunities that my two Therapy Dogs, Lady and Merlin, have given me.  We look forward to many more opportunities to provide service to patients, families, and children, providing comfort, unconditional love and support, and a friend to listen while children read their favorite book. 

Today, I want to share some of my favorite "Thanksgiving Dogs" with you!  Enjoy!

Reading Paws program at the Gulfport Library

I recently visited the Gulfport Public Library with Maya, a reading education assistance dog, and her handler, Bobbie.  Maya and Bobbie make a regular appearance at the Gulfport library, where kids read books to Maya.  Our young library guests had such a fun time reading to Maya that they didn't even realize that they were perfecting their reading skills.  Maya is a great reading companion because she doesn't judge how they read; she just listens and gives an encouraging nudge now and again.

Reading to a dog is a great way to build children's confidence in reading.  They're ideal reading companions because they:

• Help increase relaxation and lower blood pressure
• Listen attentively
• Do not judge, laugh or criticize
• Allow children to proceed at their own pace
• Are less intimidating than other kids (and adults too!)

We could all take a lesson from dogs when it comes to encouraging kids to read!

Therapy Thursday: Meet Webster!

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

We met Webster and his owner, George, recently on a visit to the Family Resource Center Library at All Children' s Hospital.  He's part of the Pet Therapy program at the hospital.  Webster is a big lovable teddy-bear of a dog who loves to be loved!  

Webster is a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, a.k.a. "Swissie", who is about three years old.  George told us that Webster has 7 other Swissie foster brothers and sisters because his wife rescues them.  When she can't find homes for them, she keeps them...so now she has eight!  Webster has a beautiful coat with black, white, and rust markings.  It is easy to picture him on the Swiss Alps!  His favorite activities are being read to, visiting children in the hospital, eating, and playing with Kai, another rescue Swiss dog.  He is great at kissing and making people happy, and he just loves a good belly rub!

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.

Visit to All Children's Hospital with Maya, the Therapy Dog

Maya, a Golden Retriever Therapy Dog and her owner, Bobbie, invited me to join her at All Children's Hospital Family Resource Center Library for "Paws to Read."  Children of all ages were invited to gobble up their favorite Thanksgiving stories while connecting with a canine companion. 

Maya is one of the friendly ‘listening dogs’ from the Child Life Pet Therapy program at the hospital. 

Participating in this literacy program is a wonderful way for all children to strengthen their reading skills while they relax and enjoy this season of Thanksgiving.

About Maya: 

Maya was born around 10 years ago.  We're not sure exactly how old she is because she was rescued by her owner, Bobbie.  She was adopted through Adopt a Golden rescue organization in Atlanta.  She had been rescued from a puppy mill, where she was forced to live in a cage and give birth to multiple litters.  Although she was a very anxious and nervous dog when she was adopted 6 years ago, her new owners showed her great care and love.  They even gave her special doggie massages, called the "Tellington Touch" when she got stressed out, calming her down with the command "Settle".

Maya visits kids on their care units at All Children's Hospital, she participates in the public library system's "READing Paws" program, and visits the Ronald McDonald House, but her very favorite activity is listening to children read to her.  She even frequently falls asleep to a good book.

 

Today is National Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) Day!

Join our family today in celebrating R.E.A.D. dogs, like our very own Lady and Merlin!  If you would like our R.E.A.D. dogs to visit your school, bookstore, or library, call 727-421-1341.

 

The US Senate has established November 14th as National Reading Education Assistance Dogs Day. The senate agreed to create a national R.E.A.D. day for these great reasons:

• Because reading provides children with an essential foundation for all future learning;
• The Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program was founded to improve the literacy skills of children through the mentoring assistance of trained, registered, and insured pet partner reading volunteer teams;
• Children who participate in the R.E.A.D. program make significant improvements in fluency, comprehension, confidence, and many additional academic and social dimensions;
• The R.E.A.D. program is active in 49 States, 3 provinces in Canada, Europe, Asia, and beyond with more than 2,400 trained and registered volunteer teams participating and influencing thousands of children in classrooms and libraries across the Nation;
• R.E.A.D. program has received awards and recognition from distinguished entities including the International Reading Association, the Delta Society, the Latham Foundation, the American Library Association, and PBS Television;
• R.E.A.D. program has garnered enthusiastic coverage from national media, including major television networks NBC, CBS, and ABC, as well as international television and print coverage. 

The R.E.A.D. program is a part of Intermountain Therapy Dogs.  Check out studies on R.E.A.D. therapy and increased childhood literacy on their website.

Celebrating our Canine Soldiers on Veteran's Day!

Veteran's day is a day when we celebrate and honor our America veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.  As we celebrate the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country, let's not forget the four-legged soldiers!  These furry soldiers have saved many lives by sniffing out bombs, scouting out territory, communication, as guard dogs, and more.  They're an important part of our military today

Adopt a retired Military Working Dog (MWD)

Did you know you can adopt a Military Working Dog (MWD)?  Check out my blog post to find out how!

“Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom and democracy is the very foundation of Veterans Day.” — Charles B. Rangel

Therapy Thursday: Meet Colonel!

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

Young Caleb was in a head-on auto collision and suffered from a traumatic brain injury.  Part of his treatment included visits with a therapy dog, Colonel.  On the very first visit that Caleb had with Colonel, his parents noticed a significant change in his awareness. This change helped the Caleb's father have confidence that Caleb would recover from the brain injury. With the help of Colonel, Caleb gained the motivation to move so he could pet his new furry pal.  These small movements helped Caleb improve. Each visit with Colonel helped Caleb's therapy progress. This animal therapy program and many like it have made a positive impact on the health of children and Caleb's recovery is just one example of this impact.