Tag Archives: therapy dogs

May 3, 2016: Our home, the city of Fort McMurray, Alberta, an approximate 90,000 people, are under a mandatory evacuation. We all had to leave, with the exception to those who were fighting this raging beast and leading us all to safety. This day will be forever burned into my memory.

We ARE just like you. Our dogs are not monsters. They are just dogs, just like any other dogs. Just like people are all individuals, so are dogs.

You will see the returns of your effort by sticking with the program for the long haul. If we want to see a change in our dog’s behavior we have to do the work, simple as that.

There is perhaps no greater experience than participating in an activity with your dog that satisfies you both. The bonding experience created is unparalleled.

We all have our stories to tell. On that bright September morning when the world changed before our eyes, our collective experience was etched into our personal histories in the way that only those truly transformative historical occasions can imprint us:  Pearl Harbor, JFK, 9/11. Having moved to Manhattan the year before the attacks, I Read More

There are few bonds stronger than the one between a child and a dog. EPIC Pals (standing for Early Prevention Impacts Community) is a program that's taking advantage of that special relationship and helping both at-risk youth and shelter dogs. The program helps the kids improve their communication skills and better manage their emotions, preparing them Read More

I have been doing pet therapy with my labradoodle, Daisy, for going on two years now. It was always a dream of mine to do pet therapy, and I looked for months for the right dog. I adopted Daisy from a family who could no longer care for her, and I knew almost instantly she Read More

Soldiers often sacrifice their physical and emotional well-being in order to protect their country. Trying to cope with stress and trauma after returning from war can make even the bravest solider feel isolated and alone, but there are four-legged heroes working to change that. Meet Lexy, Fort Bragg's only certified therapy dog. Lexy went through Read More

Doctors and families have long known that therapy dogs can have a positive impact on children suffering from cancer, but until now, there has been no concrete research to back up that belief. Now, the American Humane Association is launching the first clinical trial to show the effects of animal-assisted therapy on young cancer patients Read More

A formerly paralyzed pit bull is spreading a message of hope to patients as they go through their own rehabilitation process. Elsa was sick and emaciated when the British Columbia SPCA rescued her and 26 other dogs from an abusive situation. She was adopted by Kelly and Nik Dann when she was 5 months old, Read More

The family of a man with Alzheimer's was stunned when he briefly regained his speech while sitting with the family dog. Their beautiful moment together was captured on video. Lisa Abeyta says her father, Charles Sasser, was diagnosed with the disease about five years ago, but he has started to lose his speech in the Read More

In an instant, countless lives were changed forever. The Boston Marathon bombings left a country in shock, and sixteen people lost limbs in the explosion. Two of those people were newlyweds Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, who each lost a leg in the bombing. Jessica and Patrick's injuries were among the most severe of the Read More

All dog lovers know that a dog's presence can be calming and stress-relieving, but research is showing that pets can have a profound effect on people suffering from dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease. These days, many assisted living facilities adopt a dog or other animal as a resident pet. The residents are able to interact with Read More

When you think of a therapy dog, you may picture a dog that visits hospitals or nursing homes. But these incredible dogs are taking on a whole new job--relieving the stress of college students during their final exams. Exam week at any university is a tense and stressful time. Students can be found in just Read More

I was honored to announce the results of Toms River, NJ's Pet Mayor election on WOBM Radio last month. The contest featured therapy dogs as the "candidates," and was created to raise awareness for the important work that therapy dogs do for the community. The winner is a little terrier mix named Biscotti, who received Read More

Xena is a pitbull mix whose amazing transformation from a neglected, emaciated puppy to a thriving companion dog for Jonny, a boy with autism, has made national headlines. The bond between Jonny and Xena is incredible.

Holly's CNN shoot in Jerome, AZ, Victoria's resolution to for eat more healthily, how to feed your dogs a better diet, animal cruelty, MN-based VSPDT trainer Amy Sandmann talks about her therapy dog work with Pet Partners & more.

Echo and my Friend Larry Some years ago I was planting peas on the 5th of July. In Texas July is hot, no damn hot. Several of the bags of peas had broken so I had to transfer the peas into a 5 gallon bucket. I would put on sack on my shoulder and then Read More