Lady & Merlin's Airport Visit

Lady and Merlin visited with many travelers today at the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE).  They really enjoyed meeting lots of new friends.  This was our first official Therapy Dog visit to the airport, and Lady and Merlin's second time at PIE.

This comfortable airport was full of busy travelers today, and we met lots of people headed all over the United States. It is fun to see a child's eyes light up when they unexpectedly see a dog in the airport.  They smile even more when we suggest that they come hang out with Lady and Merlin (with Mom or Dad's permission, of course).

Everyone who met Lady and Merlin, from the very young to the young at heart, forgot about the stress of their busy travels for a few moments as they petted and hugged our big furballs of love.

We're looking forward to our next visit to St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport !

Lady and Merlin visit St. Pete Clearwater Airport!

We visited the St. Pete Clearwater Airport to discuss creation of a Therapy Dog program.  We toured the airport and discussed the procedures needed to start this wonderful service at PIE.  Lady and Merlin enjoyed meeting with airport executives.  This visit helps us and our dogs become comfortable in this new environment prior to an official visit with travelers.  We will be working with the PIE airport to develop a formal Therapy Dog service.

More than 15 Domestic and International airports have therapy dog programs.  Last October, the American Association of Airport Executives in Kelowna, British Columbia invited therapy dog handler, Debbie Harvey, to speak at their Customer Service Conference.  She and Sarah Cox, Manager of Passenger Facilitation in Alberta Canada presented on therapy dogs and the "magic" they create in an airport environment. 

Therapy dogs help passengers forget the stress of traveling while they focus on our furry friends.

 

 

Therapy Thursday: First Therapy Dog Program at an Airport

The first therapy dog program began after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, when an interfaith chaplain volunteer at Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) brought her certified therapy dog, a Boxer/Great Dane mix named Orion, to the airport hoping it would help ease travelers' anxieties about returning to the skies.

It worked. Orion was a big hit with both passengers and employees. Now SJC has 13 teams of volunteer handlers and dogs in a K-9 Crew that visits with passengers in the terminals a few hours each day, seven days a week.

The dogs include breeds ranging from a Cocker Spaniel, a Rat Terrier and a Miniature Schnauzer to Golden Retrievers, a French Mastiff and a Rottweiler. And they're all certified by Therapy Dogs International (TDI), which makes sure the dogs are tested for non-aggression, general obedience and willingness to be hugged and petted in the midst of noisy and distracting airports. Handlers are also required to pass a security clearance before joining the team.

"We've had many very touching encounters with airport employees and travelers," said Kyra Hubis, the SJC therapy dog program leader who has been visiting the airport with her Golden Retriever, Henry James, each Monday for the past four years. "It's especially poignant to see soldiers being deployed hugging Henry James and telling him to 'take care of the house' while they're gone."

We love the Ronald McDonald House!

We recently visited one of the Ronald McDonald houses on the campus of All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine with our therapy dogs, Lady and Merlin. Lise, the Vounteer Coordinator, gave us a tour and shared the history of the Ronald McDonald House with us. 

Caring for a sick child while far away from home is difficult, expensive and unsettling. For 35 years, the Ronald McDonald House of Tampa Bay has been helping children with challenging medical needs, and their families, stay close together during difficult times. Since 1980, our four Tampa Bay Ronald McDonald Houses have comforted and cared for over 48,000 sick children and their families.

Lady and Merlin enjoyed checking out this wonderful facility.  We will be visiting the Ronald McDonald House each month.  Lady and Merlin are looking forward to providing a welcome distraction to children and adults staying at the house. As children interact with dogs, they almost immediately forget their troubles, the anxiety they feel, or the procedure they may be having.  Parents smile when they see the child's enthusiasm and giggle while the dog does a trick or rolls over for a belly rub. 

We are thrilled with the opportunity to provided service to this wonderful organization and the families who visit the house.

Therapy Thursday: Meet Frazer!

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



View the Video: A Day in the Life of Frazer.

Meet Frazer!  He's a black lab-golden mix who has been a therapy dog since 2007.  He brings happiness to patients and families as well as hospital staff in Virginia, where he lives.  His visits provide additional strength and courage for patients to face their treatments.  He makes them feel safe, determined and not so alone. 

 

Check out this video, A Day in the Life of Frazer! Catch a glimpse of how pet therapy is a source of alternative care for those in need.

 

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.

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!