Peninsula Library Remembers Coco the Reading Dog

A staple at the Peninsula Community Library passed away too soon.

Just over a month ago, one of their licensed reading therapy dogs, Coco, passed away unexpectedly.

“It would’ve always been difficult but in the midst of all the closures and students not being able to read to her, it just sticks in your heart,” said Vicki Shurly, Library Director at Peninsula Community Library.

Coco, a Bernese Mountain dog, who just received her advanced therapy dog certification, was always considered staff member at the library.

“We have had reading dogs since 2006, we were the first library in the county to have a reading dog and Coco was only 4 years old and people loved her,” said Shurly.

Coco and her sister, Lani, have been an important part of the library and a big attraction for everyone who stepped through the doors.

“She just was a great dog,” said her owner, Candy Gardner. “Whenever we would go into the library or whatever, either my husband Lee or I, the kids were always friendly and respectful, but usually it was ‘Hi where’s the dog? Where’s Coco?’ She was definitely the rockstar.”

The opportunity to work in the library was one the Gardner’s and the dogs have always loved.

“Loved her job whenever she saw her bandanna or therapy dog bag come out, you know they kind of puff up and say ‘Ok I’m going to work, I can’t wait’,” said Gardner.

As the reading dog, her job was to listen to children read and be a support for them while they do.

“You know Coco didn’t laugh when a word was skipped or mispronounced,” said Gardner. “Coco would just roll over and listen and it’s really wonderful. A lot of times, nonverbal special needs kids would talk to the dogs. It was just magical.”

Now her sister Lani takes over as the sole reading dog at Peninsula Community Library.

“I am looking once we are able to offer curbside service, which we are not quite yet, perhaps offering a drive in reading dog service for Lani and her mom, sitting on the front porch reading to children from a distance,” added Shurly. “We’ll do whatever we’re allowed to by the state.”

But Coco will never be forgotten.

“We could never replace Coco she was so special but I hope to always have reading dogs at Peninsula Community Library,” said Shurly.

Peninsula Community Library is currently closed due to the coronavirus, but their Little Free Library is stocked with books. They ask you wear a mask or cover your face when you go to take a book, use gloves, and keep the book and not return it or leave another book.

Therapy dogs in hospitals

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Some furry, four-legged friends saluted the dogged determination of doctors and nurses at Legacy Salmon Creek in Vancouver on Tuesday.

The therapy dogs usually make the rounds visiting patients inside the hospital. But because of COVID-19, they need to stay outside.

So, they did the next best thing – showing up to let the medical staff know they care.

“Right here at the hospital, we have either 12 or 14 teams. So, every day of the week there’s a dog that comes and we visit doctors. We go in the medical office building. I always go in the ER,” said Barbara Harmon who works with the therapy pet program.

In normal times, Legacy has 12 to 14 teams of therapy dogs and owners. At least one team is able to visit each day of the week.

Seniors isolated in Florida will receive robotic therapy dogs

Some senior citizens in Florida who have been isolated due to coronavirus-prompted social distancing measures in the state may soon receive a furry companion — albeit a robotic one.

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs on Monday announced that it began delivering nearly 400 — 375 as of this writing — therapeutic robotic pets to “socially isolated seniors and adults living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD).”

The agency said the dogs can help combat social isolation and depression among older adults and those with ADRD “by improving overall mood and quality of life.”

“Family caregivers may experience a reduction in stress, and caregivers benefit when companion pets allow increased engagement with the older adult and their environment,” it added.

Global pandemic aside, loneliness is not an uncommon problem for middle-aged and older adults. A 2018 survey by the AARP Foundation found that one-third of U.S. adults age 45 and older reported feeling lonely. The foundation said at the time that number will likely increase as the number of aging adults in the country continues to rise. Additionally, more than 20 percent of people 60 or older suffer from a mental or neurological disorder, including dementia, according to a 2017 report from the World Health Organization.

“We know social isolation disproportionately affects older adults, and COVID-19 has required people with dementia and their caregivers to remain alone for extended periods of time,” said Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Richard Prudom, in a statement.

Robotic pets are an alternative to traditional pet therapy, but “research shows they have similar positive effects,” as per the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

“They are designed to respond to motion, touch, and sound. Robotic cats and dogs are usually given to people with ADRD, but data has shown that using pets to decrease social isolation for older adults is highly successful,” the news release reads.

The robotic dogs were created by Ageless Innovation, a company that develops “fun and engaging” products for older adults.

“We look forward to delivering these therapeutic robotic pets to those who will benefit from their companionship,” added Prudom.

Dogs Are The Unsung Heroes Of The Special Olympics

“Dogs let people with disabilities become more included in the community and enjoy more positive interactions,” Carolyn Phillips, Manager of Stakeholder Engagement for Special Olympics

Special Olympics has been enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities since 1968. What began as a backyard summer camp has grown into a global movement with 5.4 million athletes participating in 106,000 events in 193 countries!

“Dogs let people with disabilities become more included in the community and enjoy more positive interactions,” Carolyn Phillips, Manager of Stakeholder Engagement for Special Olympics International told iHeartDogs.

Phillips joined Special Olympics in 2015. First as a volunteer and swim coach, then as a member of the organization’s Communications and Brand Department. In her experience, many of the athletes feel more comfortable around dogs than people. They find that dogs provide a calming presence and never pass judgment.

“In the sports world dogs are really appreciated because they offer support if you are conceding a match or help you deal with a loud, crowded arena,” Phillips says. “Plus, you want to do well and dogs help you relax before the big race or game or whatever the case may be.”

Service Dogs

Some competitors have highly trained service dogs that assist them during events as well as in their daily lives. Genuine service dogs must perform specific tasks related to the owner’s disability.

“I can take him everywhere, including Special Olympics stuff,” she says. “He’s kind of like our Special Olympics mascot for the swimming team.”

Therapy Dogs

It is also quite common to find certified therapy dogs at competitions. These outgoing pups are trained to offer stress relief to anyone and everyone in need. Spending time with a therapy dog has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate, reduce anxiety, and stimulate the release of feel-good hormones.

Canine Entertainers

Occasionally dogs come along to provide entertainment and athletic inspiration. The Canine Stars Stunt Dog show delighted onlookers at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2019 Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games.

Not only are these pups super talented, they are also a menagerie of mixed breeds rescued from shelters across the country. Their show is a reminder of how much we can all achieve with a little support and encouragement.

Family Pets

Not all of the canine heroes involved with Special Olympics have specialized training. Some are simply beloved family pets and devoted friends. However, these dogs still have an important role to play.

In a recent virtual chat session, Special Olympics Maryland athlete, Todd Polleyn spoke fondly of his 12-year-old rescue pooch, Gizmo.

“My favorite thing is when Gizmo sleeps in my bed. He takes heart meds just like me.”

Athlete Victoria has been especially anxious since the current health crisis temporarily shut down all Special Olympics events. Her dog Rose, a German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix is not a therapy dog. Yet somehow she has an innate ability to sense when Victoria is in distress.

“Rose calms Victoria’s anxiety, especially with this current self isolation,” Victoria’s mother, Jaqueline McDonald Bovay tells iHeartDogs.

No matter their level of training, the dogs of Special Olympics offer love and affirmation to the athletes and their supporters. That must be why they fit in so well with an organization devoted to friendship and inclusivity.

Police Detain Woman’s Service Dog on Her Own Property

In US news and current events today, new footage shows a police officer in Canada detaining a service animal from its owner while she was reportedly on her own property. A viral video released by Freedom Media Canada shows an Edmonton, Canada, officer confronting a woman outside her home while he held onto the collar of her service animal. The officer said the dog wasn’t wearing any tags while it was on the sidewalk. The woman explained that they were on private property and initially refused to show her dog’s registration. The officer then threatened to arrest her for obstruction and confiscate the dog.

Training Dogs To Sniff Out Virus

Eight Labrador retrievers are being trained at the University of Pennsylvania, The Washington Post reported. Research shows that viruses have odors and if dogs can detect the disease, they may be used at hospitals, businesses, and airports to screen the virus, according to The Washington Post.

“We don’t know that this will be the odor of the virus, per se, or the response to the virus, or a combination,” Cynthia M. Otto, director of the Working Dog Center at Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine and leader of the project, told The Washington Post. “But the dogs don’t care what the odor is. … What they learn is that there’s something different about this sample than there is about that sample.”

Medical Detection Dogs, which is partnering with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Durham University, and Canine Performance Sciences at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, are also seeing if dogs can detect the virus, according to Salon.

Otto told Salon that it’s possible for dogs to detect the virus. “I suspect that they could if we could train them appropriately and safely,” she said.

The London School Of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine already determined that dogs can be trained to sniff out malaria and are trying to see if the same can be done for the novel coronavirus.

Dogs Are Heroes

More than a million volunteers help ensure the games run smoothly, and not all of them are human. Many dogs accompany the athletes, families, and friends of the organization, offering services only pups can provide. Phillips joined Special Olympics in 2015. First as a volunteer and swim coach, then as a member of the organization’s Communications and Brand Department. In her experience, many of the athletes feel more comfortable around dogs than people. They find that dogs provide a calming presence and never pass judgment.

Some competitors have highly trained service dogs that assist them during events as well as in their daily lives. Genuine service dogs must perform specific tasks related to the owner’s disability.

Stephanie Stein’s Shih Tzu, Riley acts as her service dog. Stein is a member of the Maryland Special Olympics Baltimore County Swimming Team, and also competes in soccer, bowling, bocce ball, and snowshoeing. It is also quite common to find certified therapy dogs at competitions. These outgoing pups are trained to offer stress relief to anyone and everyone in need. Spending time with a therapy dog has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate, reduce anxiety, and stimulate the release of feel-good hormones.

In a recent virtual chat session, Special Olympics Maryland athlete, Todd Polleyn spoke fondly of his 12-year-old rescue pooch, Gizmo. No matter their level of training, the dogs of Special Olympics offer love and affirmation to the athletes and their supporters. That must be why they fit in so well with an organization devoted to friendship and inclusivity.

Emotional Support Dog

Into the Dark is Hulu’s horror anthology series where every film-length episode is centered around a different holiday. There’s “Pooka!” for Christmas (and the sequel, “Pooka Lives,” for Easter), “Pilgrim” for Thanksgiving, and “Culture Shock” for Independence Day. Of course, there are only so many real holidays on the calendar, so Into the Dark has already based episodes around April Fools’ Day, the first day of school, and coming this June, my favorite week-long holiday, Pet Appreciation Week.

Variety reports that Judy Greer, Steve Guttenberg, and Ellen Wong are set to star in Into the Dark: Good Boy, or as it shall henceforth be known, The Murder Dog Episode. The film centers on Maggie (Greer), a woman who gets an emotional support dog to help quell some of her anxiety. Only, she finds him to be even more effective than she could have imagined because, unbeknownst to her, he kills anyone who adds stress to her life… Guttenberg [plays] Don, Maggie’s “misanthropic but at times soft around the edges” boss, while Wong is Annie, a former baby-sitting charge of Maggie’s who recently moved to Los Angeles and rekindles their friendship. The role of the emotional support dog will be played by Chico the Dog, who looks like the dog from Dog With a Blog, the greatest TV show of all-time. If Chico doesn’t talk (“My name’s Chico and you’re not the man,” he says, while crunching into someone’s nuts), I am going to write a strongly worded letter to Hulu. Directed by Tyler MacIntyre and written by Aaron and Will Eisenberg, Into the Dark: Good Boy premieres on June 12.

Animal Services goes virtual

Brampton Animal Services (BAS) says it has introduced a new virtual system in order to help people who want to adopt or foster a pet amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Those interested can set up an video call appointment with a staff members where they can see and interact with animals that are up for adoption.

Up for adoption are cats, dogs and a number of other small animals including birds and guinea pigs.

“Potential adopters don’t have to leave the comfort and safety of their own homes for this important part of the process,” said Brampton Animal Services manager Kathy Duncan. “They don’t have to risk any interactions or unnecessary attendances in their search for a furry friend.”

Once a match is made, the potential adopter will drive to the shelter where a staff member will come out dressed in personal protective equipment to finish up the paperwork and pick up their animal.

Since March 16, BAS said it has adopted out 23 animals.

However, the service is asking that those interested in adopting, must also think about their lifestyle and what kind of life they can offer an animal post-coronavirus.

“Be sure to consider whether you will have enough time to spend with your pet, and the finances to support your new furry friend, when physical distancing measures are lifted,” said Duncan.

It costs $120 to adopt a cat, $200 to adopt a dog and $5 and up to adopt a bird, guinea pig or other small animal.

But if a person is interested in helping the service and fostering an animal, that is an option to.

Duncan said animals who are able to live in a foster home while waiting to be adopted do better than if they stay in a shelter.

Since April 22, nine volunteers have adopted seven dogs and two cats between them, including the VandenBergs in Brampton who fostered two puppies and ended up adopting one named Creek.

“Fostering two puppies certainly gave us ample to do, and something incredibly important to focus our energy on,” said Dianna VandenBerg. “As a family, we really enjoyed fostering puppies for the first time.”

pet care hotline

With the first American dog testing positive, NYC pet owners may be worried that their furry friends could become sick as well.

To help New Yorkers wade through their worries, New York City has launched a pet hotline.

The hotline will help answer people’s questions and concerns about taking care of their pets during the ongoing crisis and connect them to pet relief resources such as subsidized emergency veterinary care and food and supply distribution services.

For NYC residents with pets requiring a higher level of care, cases will be escalated for coordination of temporary placement or supplemental care of animals. It’s the first pet response plan of its kind in the country, the emergency management office says.

“Pets and service animals are a part of our family, and we want to alleviate any concern associated with having to take care of these family members during these trying times,” NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell said in a comment. “We are thankful to our task force members who have stepped up to help New Yorkers who need this service.”

The network of help is extensive—the Humane Society of the United States, the ASPCA, Animal Haven, Animal Care Centers of NYC, Bideawee, American Red Cross, Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, NYC VERT, New York State Animal Protection Federation, Best Friends Animal Society and PAWS NY are all taking part.