Benny Comes Back!

This has been one of the most rewarding adventures I have ever volunteered to do. First, let me tell you just a little bit about my two dogs, a short little Bio on each. There are pictures on my dog therapy page.

Benny, my black lab, is about 5 years old now. (I never seem to remember exactly how old he is.) Benny is a wonderful dog (even though he likes to steal my pillows). He loves visiting our friends in the home. Clearly, this is where he loves to be.

Then there is Nikki, my 2 year golden puppy. Nikki is a typical 2 year golden. She is full of life. She keeps me hopping. And, just like Benny, she brings pure gold to our friends. Benny and Nikki are on my dog therapy page.

It has been an extremely busy summer so far. Unfortunately, with work demanding more and more of my time, and with home issues demanding more and more of my time, my volunteering has lapsed this summer. This has created a void in me.

The one thing I have learned about this situation is how much I love the dog therapy visiting programs.

Benny has been a visiting dog for a number of years now. We have always gone to the same home, so we have made many wonderful friends.

Well, after my "sabbatical" I went and took Benny to see our senior friends last Saturday Night. This was an unscheduled visit. I could have cried. They were so very happy to see him again (not me so much). We had a "Benny" party in the lobby.

What a wonderful time my Benny had. Of course! Everyone was petting him, and talking to him. Wow, he was being treated like royalty. A true friend come home.

It was just great to see this joy. We all talked and laughed and joked. Everyone talked about their summer, how they were doing, what was going on in their own world. I felt better then I had for a long time. My new resolve is to go back to my weekly visits. I do not want to miss out on these opportunities anymore.

So, my advice, as always is: If you have the inclination to visit with seniors, if you have a dog that loves to be petted, a dog that loves the human touch, then please go to your local Dog Therapy Group and find out how you can join this wonderful work. It is not difficult to get your dog certified.

The three most well known organizations that offer certification; Delta Society, Therapy Dog International and Therapy Dogs, Inc. There are other therapy organizations and you may find an organization in your area via the internet under dog therapy, pet therapy or animal assisted therapy.

And, for us Canadians, there is, Therapeutic Paws of Canada (my dogs belong to this wonderful group). They offer a volunteer based therapy dog and cat visitation program for senior's facilities such as retirement homes, nursing homes, Alzheimer day away centers, hospitals and where there is a need. The medical establishment has long recognized the significant benefits of a therapy dog and cat program. The petting and stroking of a pet helps to calm the most agitated resident and stimulates wonderful conversations about the pet they once owned. Recovery from surgery is quoted as being accelerated when there is continued contact with a pet. As a result of the many government fiscal cutbacks, the facility's staff is stretched to their limits. The positive impact of our programme on the day-to-day life of each senior throughout our community and beyond cannot be calculated.

There are more links on my personal dog therapy page: http://www.mimfreedom.com/dogtherapy.htm

My name is Ruth Bird, and I am the owner of 3 dogs, 2 are Registered Therapy Visiting Dogs, my third dog is blind. My passions are health for people and pets and promoting a happy, healthy and wealthy lifestyle. As an owner of 3 healthy, happy dogs, I am very much involved in dog training, nutrition and health. You will find links to many dog related sites on my dog therapy page.

http://www.mimfreedom.com/dogtherapy.htm

New York Daily News
Pets weather Gustav well
Detroit Free Press, United States - Sep 4, 2008
Early reconnaissance by rescuers allowed into storm-damaged areas indicates the vast majority of pets were evacuated with their owners, and thousands of ...
Pets’ hurricane plan needed Cay Compass
When storms threaten, consider pets' safety, too Gulf Breeze News
Gustav Pet Evacuations Show Katrina Lessons Learned National Geographic
News Courier - WDSUall 410 news articles

City mulls making it law to spay, neuter pets
Houston Chronicle, United States - 6 hours ago
Have your pet spayed or neutered." Some, including Mayor Bill White, have floated the possibility of following in the footsteps of Los Angeles, which passed ...

Retail's next big thing - pets
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 10 hours ago
The imminent opening of pet superstore Pets at Home at Melbourne's retail mecca, Chadstone shopping centre, is a significant milestone in the life of the ...

Scaly and interesting: Reptiles make great pets
Baxter Bulletin, AR - 2 hours ago
Americans own more pet reptiles than ever before. Brian Potter, co-owner of the North American Reptile Breeders Conference trade shows, thinks he knows why. ...

Taking Pets To The Vet For The First Time
Imperial Valley News, CA - 8 hours ago
Imperial, California - Pets often seem to have limitless energy and robust constitutions, but don't let this fool you: They are susceptible to all sorts of ...
Rohnert Park Vet Writes Book Santa Rosa Press Democrat
all 2 news articles

Barney's Bling Announces Launch of Matching Diamond Jewelry for ...
PR Web (press release), WA - 5 hours ago
Barney's Bling, matching jewelry for people and pets using real diamonds and precious metals announces the launch of their online store. ...

KAALtv.com
Presidential politics for pets?
KAALtv.com, MN - 6 hours ago
At a recent Barack Obama rally, Sharon Young, an entrepreneur from Kansas City, discovered the idea of making campaign buttons for pets. ...

Doctors Foster and Smith and Midwest Airlines Join Forces to Make ...
MarketWatch - 23 hours ago
RHINELANDER, Wis., Sept 04, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- When equipped with the right information and tools, airline travel with pets can be as simple as ...
Flying with Pets? Here’sa Link You’ll Love Cheapflights.com
all 7 news articles

San Francisco Chronicle
Remembering childhood pets
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 20 hours ago
As I drove my children and Simba home, I remembered the pets from my childhood. There was Lollipop, a gray and white tabby; Hammy the hamster, who bit holes ...

Americans pick pet over partner for desert island
Reuters - 20 hours ago
NEW YORK (Reuters) - More than two thirds of Americans would rather be stranded on a desert island with their pet than with their partner, a poll showed on ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Dogs and Children ? What Parents Need to Know to Prevent Dog Bites