Therapy Dogs Making a Difference for Children

I
met my friend Christine Orantes in the children’s reading program at our local
library in Phoenix.  It’s a program where
kids read aloud to therapy dogs to help improve their reading skills.  Icy and I were one of the therapy dog teams
that volunteered at our library along with Christine.  At each visit, Christine would have one of her beautiful therapy dogs
with her.

Christine
has been a

How Fake Service Dogs Hurt Real Service Dogs

I was inspired to write this by a recent Facebook post on Lisa Bregant's Facebook page.  Her post has a great photo of a Golden Retriever with a message asking people NOT to pass their pet off as a Service Animal if they don't truly perform the functions of a Service Animal.  The photo was one Lisa shared from Frankie Franks Facebook page.  It succinctly states that:

"FAKE SERVICE DOGS CAN HURT

From Adorable Puppy to Invaluable Service Dog

Every
now and then while sitting at the local Starbucks gazing out the window, people
watching, I see an extraordinary thing. 
There is a group of people who routinely utilize the bustling town as practice
for Guide Dogs in training.  Guide dogs
fascinate me.  In fact all service
animals fascinate me, it’s astounding that they can be trained for a life of
service involving such complex tasks and

National Therapy Animal Day

Today is NATIONAL THERAPY ANIMAL DAY! 

National Therapy Animal Day is a day to celebrate Therapy Animals that bring comfort, support, and joy to so many people in need.

Therapy Animals help children improve their reading skills, visit patients in hospitals, and seniors in nursing homes.  A Therapy Animal can help ease the pain and anxiety of those who are hurting, bringing comfort and smiles

A Therapy Dog In Drug & Alcohol Rehab

I've written several blog posts about the amazing work Therapy Dogs do to help people in need.  Most of my posts are about the work I do with my Siberian Husky, Icy.  But today I want to share with you the work my good friend and fellow Therapy Dog handler Paulette does with her beautiful Keeshond, Teebo. 

Paulette and Teebo visit people struggling with substance abuse, offering love, support,