News
Pet Therapy
November 17, 2020
With coronavirus infections on the rise, seniors and those with pre-existing conditions continue to social distance. But as many are isolated, nonprofit Animal Farm Foundation is making sure they still have fun and friendly interactions with pets by setting up virtual visits. “When the pets come on they really perk up” said Christie Purks, one […]
SWMC Gets A Therapy Dog
November 17, 2020
At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic only adds to stress levels on a college campus, Sadie the golden retriever is providing some much-needed joy to students and staff at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. She is the college’s new therapy dog. “Since she’s been on campus, you kind of see that light in people’s eyes,” said […]
Missing Therapy Dog
November 17, 2020
A Trail family is urging locals to keep their eyes peeled for Joy Joy, their beloved black cockapoo that went missing Nov. 1. Right after Joy Joy disappeared near Woodland Drive in Glenmerry that Sunday, family and friends began a desperate search for her. But she hasn’t been seen since. Now, they are offering a […]
Firefighters battling California wildfires visited by Kerith the therapy dog
October 29, 2020
Battling wildfires can take an emotional and physical toll on firefighters, but a two-year-old golden retriever has come to rescue, relieving stress and providing comfort to firefighters on the front lines. Kerith is a certified crisis response therapy animal through a nonprofit organization, Pet Partners. Kerith and her handler, Heidi Carman, started volunteering at MarinHealth […]
Pet Therapy Program
October 9, 2020
Saturday, October 10 is World Mental Health Day, which this year has a new sense of urgency for many. Covid-19 has taken a mental and emotional toll on healthcare workers across the U.S but there is a program boosting the spirits of doctors and nurses on the frontlines. At UC Irvine Medical Center in Southern […]
AMR Therapy Dog
October 8, 2020
Rampart, a therapy dog with American Medical Response San Bernardino County, recently passed his Certified Therapy Dog exam. AMR acquired Rampart, a 1½-year-old goldendoodle, when he was 10 weeks old. Rampart started basic obedience classes when he was 4 months old and continued through advanced obedience classes, according to a news release. When he was […]
Workers Get Canine Interactions
October 8, 2020
It was a long, boring spring and summer for the four-footed members of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, who couldn’t visit nursing homes and hospitals giving tail wags and doggy smiles. The coronavirus paused the professional canine therapeutic interactions with patients and hospital workers. “You could actually see him falling into a depression at home,” said Wendy Kadish of […]
Therapy Dog Program
October 8, 2020
An initiative by Cyndy Caravelis, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice at Western Carolina University, will include a pilot program to use a therapy dog to aid domestic violence victims and their families in Jackson County. Caravelis’ German shepherd Atlas will escort victims and family members into court procedures and stay with children while […]
Therapy Dogs Working With Staff
October 8, 2020
After a pause due to COVID-19, the St. John Ambulance Abbotsford therapy dog team recently returned to visit staff at several different correctional facilities in the Fraser Valley. The PAWS inside program originally began at the Alouette Correctional Centre for Women five years ago and started off by providing services to inmates. Last year, the […]
Therapy Dog Bringing Comfort
October 7, 2020
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has a special K-9 who plays an important role. While most K-9s help in crime scenes and investigations, Comfort Caj is crime therapy dog and brings smiles to the community and the sheriff’s office. “He really brings a light and energy to this whole building, that you can’t fathom, you […]