Dog Shelter continues aiding dogs though fundraising stalls amid coronavirus crisis

ASHLAND — The organizers behind Homeward Bound Dog Shelter intended to begin construction of their multi-service facility in April, but development has been postponed indefinitely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The shelter is still roughly $200,000 under their construction goal, but the group is not actively seeking donations because of the health crisis the community is currently addressing.

“(The fundraising) came to a screeching halt for right now,” the secretary of Homeward Bound, Dianne Hammontree said. “We’re still working closely with the shelter and No Pawz (Left Behind) and placing dogs even though a lot of things are shut down.

“We haven’t been out trying to raise money right now. We’re just letting people rest for now.”

Still, throughout the delay, Hammontree and the rest of the shelter’s team has been hard at work aiding man’s best friend, following their mission to a tee.

Homeward Bound strives to rescue homeless dogs and administer the proper physical, medical and emotional care they require.  Their philosophy is to end the suffering all dogs and help them find enriching lives through companionship, love and nourishment.

To raise the additional money for the construction goal, Homeward Bound was allowing the community to dedicate one of the shelter’s 70 kennels for $1,000. They have currently sold 20 of them.

Hammontree, who owns three dogs herself, has already purchased one for a dog she previously enjoyed.

“We were able to buy one kennel to name after our dog we lost last year named Simon Peter, but we still have an old dog named Mary Magdalene, so we’re trying to save another $1,000,” said Hammontree.  “Mary is a therapy dog.

She is actually the first Ohio court dog, so if there is an abused child on the stand, she’s on their lap.”

Homeward Bound Dog Shelter will be constructed on Baney Road in the grass parking lot across from the fairgrounds.  It will feature a on-site veterinarian and groomer.

The American Legion is purchasing and installing a flagpole on the property.

No Pawz Left Behind will have an office in the facility and will utilize some of the shelter’s storage area.

“We work with [No Pawz] now,” said Hammontree.  “They help us place shelter dogs, and we help them place No Pawz dogs.

“We’re also encouraging people to put us in their will.  That’s very important. We need endowment to keep going and going and going.”

When the social distancing regulations soften and business begin to reopen, a display of the layout of Homeward Bound Dog Shelter will be available for public viewing in the lobby of Wayne Savings Community Bank on Claremont Avenue.

Hammontree also expressed her gratitude of The Flour Barrel for all of their assistance during this fundraiser.  She asserted that this wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of the volunteer planning committee.

Nursing home in Madison gets special therapy visit while still social distancing

MADISON, Ala. – An adorable therapy dog and his handler recently gave the residents at Valley View Health and Rehabilitation a special session while still social distancing.

Employee Trish Dollman says the residents and staff have had to adapt to change due to the coronavirus. They have not been able to allow outside visitors for some time now.

Before the stay-at-home order was issued, residents received weekly visits from the cutest and most precious visitor ever, Gavin and his handler Tom Kelly, through the organization Therapy Partners in Huntsville.

Kelly has been checking on the home since the beginning of the quarantine and offered to bring Gavin by for a window visit on April 22.

Dollman said many of the residents had asked about Gavin and when he would be back to see them. They were all very excited to get to see him!

 

Therapy Dog Brightens Medical Staff’s Spirits With Care Packages

Some things just leave you with a fuzzy feeling in the heart. Especially when you hear of the sweet gestures that a pet animal does for you selflessly.

The staff at the University of Maryland Medical Center have been at the wonderful receiving end of their ‘dogtor’ Loki, a two-year-old Rottweiler therapy dog. Since December 2019, her owner Caroline Benzel and Loki have been doing their rounds at the medical centre thrice a week.

Benzel, who is a second-year medical student at the university, said to a portal that she and Loki were doing therapy for everyone at the hospital, including “custodians, first responders, nurses, doctors, patients, or even family members in the waiting room.”

 

 

In the wake of the current pandemic, the visits are discontinued, following restrictions, the duo is doing what they do best, online—via video chat. It was by chance since Benzel says they wanted to check on people so they started calling, which then led to video visits.

The relationship between the dogtor and its owner and the staff is enviable. When Loki needed surgery and physical therapy after suffering an injury, Benzel could hardly afford the expenses, being a student. That’s when the staff stepped in, suggested crowdfunding and donated generously to the fund, which took care of the expenses. The staff was so close to Loki that they would not have it any other way.

As the pandemic took a visible toll on the staff, especially the ICU nurses for wearing PPE and masks for almost 12 to 14 hours at the stretch, Benzel thought of a way to uplift their spirits, and repair the damage that wearing PPE and masks does to the body. She started putting together “Hero Healing Kits” with care essentials such as moisturisers, lotions, lip balm, medicated powder, and tea, among other things. The surprise element is a picture of Loki’s smiling face.

When Benzel took to social media for assistance in building these kits, she had a wonderful response and has managed to put together 4,200 of them till now, and been delivering them with Loki, who is super excited to be back on the campus. The best therapy that one can receive!

 

Don’t you agree? Truly, a dog is man’s most loyal friend.

Rest in Peace, Coco the Reading Dog

The saying goes that a dog is a man’s (and a woman’s!) best friend. That could not be more true than it is here at Peninsula Community Library.

PCL was the first library in the District to have a Reading Therapy Dog. Furry staff members have been a part of our library family consistently since 2006. They have listened to countless children read, have been petted and adored by adults young and old, and have acted as hosts at more programs than I can count.

It is with much sadness that I tell you that one of our dear Reading Dogs, Coco Gardner, passed away suddenly on March 20. Coco was a delightful librarian dog – energetic, intelligent and loving. Only four years old, she had just received her advanced therapy dog certification. Coco’s favorite day of the week was Reading Dog Day with the kids.

Our hearts go out to Coco’s sister, Lani, also a Reading Dog here at PCL, as well as her human parents, Candy and Lee Gardner. The Gardners have asked that Coco be remembered with smiles and hugs.

Candy will be donating framed photos of all our Reading Dogs over the years for our Children’s Area and will include our first Reading Dog, Bear. Coco joins her brothers Ralph and Zeb, also once PCL Reading Dogs, who passed on before her. I am sure that she is wherever they are, listening to the angel dogs read!

PCL’s Little Free Library – “Take” Only!

Some of you have been taking advantage of the Little Free Library outside of PCL. I am very pleased to say that people have been following the rules. Continue to remember to put on gloves before you open the box or touch any books. Wear a mask or bandana! If you don’t have gloves, put a new plastic bag over your hand. Be sure to take those protective things away with you when you leave. Only one person at a time is allowed at the Little Free Library. Wait in your car if someone is already there.

Last, but most importantly, while these little libraries are usually “take one leave one,” I temporarily declare ours “take” only! Do not return the book! Save it for our book sale way down the road, share it with other members of your immediate household, recycle it if you must!

However, DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE BOX! I will continue to fill the box from our book sale shelves for as long as it seems the rules are being followed and for as long as the books hold out.

Thanks to the Traverse Area District Library, our WiFi is also up and running 24/7. Feel free to pull into our parking lot and enjoy the internet connection from the comfort of your car! From settings and WiFi connection on your device, choose tadl-patron-wireless.

Need a Puzzle to Work On?

It has come to my realization in our Old Mission community – which includes so many residents of a vulnerable age – that some of you are entirely confined to your homes. A few people have emailed me about the puzzles in PCL’s collection and a wish that you had thought to take a few out before we closed.

My own mother, 91 who lives downstate on her own, pointed out that they are almost impossible to buy right now. When I checked online to send her one or two, I saw that puzzles are either not available for months or of such an outrageous price that no one in their right mind would pay that.

Having said all this, PCL puzzles are not cataloged and have been mostly donated by you, our patrons. Therefore, I have put a bin of those out on the library’s front porch. You are free to take ONE for yourself or to deliver to someone who cannot otherwise get out. I am especially concerned about our older residents who may be alone.

The same rules apply as for the Little Free Library – use gloves, use a mask, one person at a time, and NO RETURNS! I also found a box of sealed playing cards leftover from a long ago library program. I will put those in there as well, same rules. I will continue to stock it until I run out.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT ANY DONATIONS AT THIS TIME! Save what you have for down the road when we are on the other side of this! Thank you!

Looking Ahead

I cannot yet give you an open date. While we are glad you miss us – as we do YOU – the Board and I will do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of the public and the staff. Please know that when the time comes, we will let you know what plans we have in place.

In all likelihood, we will open in phases, with no large gatherings or outside use of our meeting space taking place until after Labor Day. This means that no book sale will take place this summer. I am looking at virtual programming for Summer Reading Club, as well as a “drive-in” possibility for a program or two. Be patient with us – we will get back to normal when we are relatively sure that we can keep you safe!

A Note from the Secretary of State

I just received this message from Michigan’s Secretary of State, asking us to share it with all of you:

Relief for some drivers and vehicle owners – Recently, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order that temporarily extends the expiration of driver’s licenses, state IDs and vehicle registrations in Michigan. The extension goes through June 30, 2020. No late fees will be assessed by the Secretary of State’s Office.

These are strange and unusual times. I am thankful that I live in an era when I can still connect with friends and family through the miracle of modern technology. I have talked to and visited visually with my children and grandchildren, attended meetings via Zoom out in the library world, and have been entertained with movies, concerts and programs. I cannot imagine what it would be like right now in an era before all this.

Saying that, I leave you with a couple of pictures below – a delightful collection of phones donated to PCL by the Estate of Jack and Vi Solomonson, who owned the Peninsula Telephone Company for many years. All were used over a century on the Old Mission Peninsula. What if one of the early ones was your only form of contact? What about the centuries before any telecommunication? I think we are fortunate!

Stay safe and healthy, everyone!

Medway schoolgirl’s therapy dog supports family during Covid-19 lockdown thanks to Tree of Hope charity

A school girl has had her life transformed thanks to her therapy dog and supporting charities.

Polly and her family, from Rochester, have found relief during the coronavirus lockdown because of therapy dog, Bailey.

Bailey has helped relieve the pressures of Polly’s ADHD and autism, thanks to Supporting Paws and fundraising charity Tree of Hope.

As lockdown continues and the threat of the coronavirus increases, it can be extremely stressful and difficult to manage for families of seriously ill and disabled children who have conditions to contend with on top of maintaining school routines.

At the age of nine, Polly was diagnosed with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and severe anxiety.

Now 12, her anxiety has grown progressively worse and affects her daily.

Polly’s parents searched for additional ways to support Polly with her autism and anxiety for 18 months, which led them to Supporting Paws, an assistance dog organisation in Kent. Polly was accepted onto their programme for a companion/assistance dog.

Needing to self-fund the dog, the family enlisted the support of registered children’s crowdfunding charity, Tree of Hope, to help them raise £8,000.

Tree of Hope has been in operation, providing this kind of support to more than 550 families annually, for more than27 years.

Polly’s conditions meant her family life was constrained. Polly never liked being outside, so going out as a family was both challenging and rare. The idea of a family weekend away was non-existent and simple everyday things like walking to the park or going to the shops have always been a struggle.

Since new family member Bailey has been around, every aspect of their lives has improved.

Polly’s mum, said: ‘“Bailey really is a part of the family. The measures we’re all having to take now in light of this outbreak, it’s hard to imagine what we would have done to get through it this time last year.

“A year ago, Polly wouldn’t go outside, but now she willingly takes herself into the garden with Bailey when she needs to and does things because she wants to and has the support of Bailey.

“I can’t ask for anything more. To a lot of people, it’s not huge, but the bond Polly and Bailey have has made such a huge difference to Polly and our family life.

To find out more about Supporting Paws visit their Facebook Page for the fundraising charity Tree of Hope.

Tree of Hope is also asking supporters to enjoy digital dinner parties to help raise funds for other sick and disabled children like Polly.

Dine and Donate is now in its third year and has already raised more than £15,000 to help children all over the country, and this year, dinner parties will be held virtually via Zoom, Skype, Houseparty, Facetime and other digital platforms.

Whether you want to host a virtual afternoon tea, an online cocktail party or even a formal digital dinner, the event is a great excuse to get together with family and friends and help raise money for seriously ill and disabled children.

There are plenty of ideas for recipes and themes, and Tree of Hope would love you to share your ideas and events on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #WhatWillYouHost.

Schools are choosing therapy dogs, even with an uncertain school year ahead

CINCINNATI — The pilot program putting fuzzy, four-legged counselors in Hamilton County schools is in talks with “several” other schools about expanding the program for the 2020-2021 school year, despite uncertainty about in-person instruction in the fall.

Currently, the Hamilton County Education Service Center and Circle Tail have placed six therapy dogs in schools, where they work as interns until the school decides to pick up the bill by hiring the dog.

Golden retriever Zooey has a regular spot in the Lakota Schools newsletter and an email address that students can write to for advice. She gives them tips to stay calm and healthy, according to the HCESC.

A pup named Cyngi makes regular Zoom appearances for students in HCESC’s Pathways to Employment program. She’s practicing manners and service skills and working on a video to show students how she is adapting to her “new normal.”

Even though students aren’t walking the halls of St. Xavier High School, 2-year-old golden retriever Evan still makes appearances on its social media pages and had a daily “Where’s Evan?” challenge.

Days before schools started the shift to remote learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic, WCPO wanted to learn more about the pilot program and the training behind it.

‘He leans into you and his eyes just make you melt’

Evan started his training like all the others do — down a gravel road in rural Warren County.

Circle Tail in Pleasant Plain was established in 1997. Executive director Marlys Staley left a life as a physical therapist to start the organization.

“What I’ve learned is, you never know everything,” Staley told WCPO. “Dogs are as individual as people, even within a litter. You have to always work with the dog in front of you. There’s no ‘cookbook’ dog training.”

Evan was a little different from the get-go.

“Everywhere he went, everybody loved Evan,” Staley said.

“He is so beautiful and he just lights up the room when you see him,” said volunteer Leslie Kreines. “He has this ‘Evan smile.’ He has a way of lifting his head back and putting on this beautiful smile that just makes everyone want to come to him.”

Kreines coordinates Circle Tail’s partnership with the HCESC to place dogs in schools, which began in January. Circle Tail sponsors the dog by paying for everything, including food and crates.

Scott Wegener

“What we’re seeing in the schools now is obviously the stress level,” Kreines said. “What we’re finding is how magical these dogs are.”

‘I’ll be able to conquer this, no matter what anybody tells me’

Back when schools were still open, St. Xavier senior Alex Nielsen spent time with Evan every day. They’ve been pals since the golden retriever started walking the halls in Finneytown.

“I see him every day. I have a streak with him — I call it a streak, at least,” Nielsen said.

Andy Overton

But Evan almost wasn’t hired for the job.

“At first, I was a little skeptical,” assistant principal Jason Ahlers told WCPO. “You hear of people just sort of putting a therapy vest on a dog and saying, ‘We have a therapy dog.'”

That was until he met the folks at Circle Tail and talked to the Hamilton County ESC.

“We read the data, we saw studies that talk about how a therapy dog can help someone in crisis calm down more quickly,” Ahlers said.

Much of that research forms a scientific, physiological argument in favor of the “paws-itive” effects of a therapy dog in the classroom.

Andy Overton

Evan mostly stays in St. Xavier’s counseling offices, but there’s no research needed to see the effect he has had on the Bombers.

“I think dogs are able to just access everyone’s emotions, no matter what they are,” Nielsen said.

‘Who needs me?’

Dogs at Circle Tail start training young.

Sisters Drew and Meg — named after Barrymore and Ryan — were 9 weeks old when we met them. They spend their time in a play room with different toys and surfaces.

Scott Wegener

“They stay here until at least four months or so, and then they’ll rotate into our prison program and then come out and rotate into a foster family,” Staley said. “Eventually around one year of age, they start doing some of their service and therapy skills.”

Circle Tail started its prison program in 1998 and now works in the Ohio Reformatory for Women and the Dayton Correctional Institute.

Evan started on his training track to be a service dog helping those with special needs. But when he began visiting the Ohio Reformatory for Women, it became clear that his talents were more intuitive.

Provided by Circle Tail

“He almost would sense which people needed him,” Staley said. “The ladies would walk him around the prison and there was a woman off to the side crying, and he stopped and wouldn’t go with his handler, like ‘Nope, we’ve got to go check her out.'”

Circle Tail’s service dogs are well-rounded — they can open doors and drawers and turn light switches on and off, among other things.

But Evan was clearly best suited for therapy work.

Provided by Circle Tail

“When you’re doing some of the training, they’re like, ‘Seriously, you’ve already dropped that pen twice, you can get it yourself,'” Staley said. “Their work ethic is not like some of the labs that are just always ready to do stuff for you.”

It’s not just work ethic. A therapy dog also has to have superior social skills.

“They love the next person that’s holding the leash, and the next person that’s holding the leash and the next person,” Staley said.

Walk the halls of St. Xavier High School (whenever it is safe for students and their golden guidance counselor to return) and you’ll see Evan’s appeal.

Andy Overton

“His innate ability of empathy is just incredible,” Krienes said.

“(Evan) just makes me know that I’m able to get through things — social or grade-wise or a problem with a teacher,” said Nielsen. If the dog had been at St. X all four years, he added, “it would have made high school so much better.

Sheriff adopts therapy dog

Casper the Therapy Dog

Casper the Therapy Dog has been busy lately – he and his owner Rachel Elliot are the Seattle ambassadors for Fueling the Fearless, an organization that purchases and delivers meals to front line responders on call during the COVID-19 crisis.

Swedish First Hill Emergency Room Department got a visit from Casper and Rachel on April 18th. The duo delivered meals from Homegrown Salads, cookies from Hello Robin and coffee from Metropolitan Market. And Casper also delivered what he’s best at providing – a calm moment with a fluffy dog. No worries, he was sanitized both before and after the visit, so he could get some well-earned pats.

And stay tuned to see more of Casper – he’s going to be part of a new TV show about therapy animals called ‘Love Unleashed’ slated to go into production as soon as safely possible.

Service dogs training

Through an empty Mall at Fairfield Commons, little paws trot and gallop around Monday afternoon. Service dogs in training, this litter is getting to know a new environment.

“Our greatest need is the for the puppies who have never been able to experience a big environment and so it’s a safe way for our staff to be able to give them what they need socialization-wise while still being able to keep themselves and others safe during this really weird time,” said Erin Bittner, director of socialization and genetics at 4 Paws for Ability.

The Mall at Fairfield Commons is closed to shoppers but stepped up to provide 4 Paws for Ability a space to continue their puppy socialization training.

“We love it when they come to visit,” said Leanne Rubosky, general manager at the mall.

“They didn’t have a place to train when all the mandates came down so we offered if they were interested and they were very interested in continuing to partner with us while we were closed,” Rubosky said.

She said, “My main role is a goodwill ambassador to the community and to find out how we can serve our neighbors well. This gave us a great opportunity to be able to do that.”

The mall provides new smells, sights and sounds to train the pups.

“The space really echoes. Glass barriers are something they only get in this type of environment, the different changes in floor textures, the open staircases,” said Bittner.

This will help them later down the line when they are placed with a family. Weekly mall explorations gets them comfortable with the unfamiliar.

“As a service dog if they have an experience they’ve never had, they have enough in their memory bank that they’re like- this is probably great too,” said Bittner.

4 Paws is for Ability said COVID-19 is prompting them to make major changes to their operations. Through it all, their partner are helping in any way they can.

“Our puppy raisers, a lot of them stepped up and took extra dogs into their home. Our on-site volunteers took dogs into their home that were going to be available for adoption (because) we couldn’t do adoptions right now,” Bittner explained.

This partnership with the mall ensuring they can keep on with their mission.

“We want to make sure that we have all these positive experiences so that in life as a service dog, it’s regular, it’s normal,” Bittner said.

Retired service dogs

The dogs of war, the dogs that help keep the peace, the dogs that track down the bad guys and turn up the missing,  Man’s best friend and co-worker. What happens to them after a lifetime of service?  Many retire with their handlers but not all.  When the time comes, who rescues the rescuers?

Former Yakima Police officer Jason Johnson, inspired by his dog flash, started Project K-9 Hero, a foundation that supports retired service dogs.

“We are so grateful for the service of our nation’s retired Police K-9 and Military Working Dog Heroes that we want to honor them in retirement, and ensure the best quality of life for them, by providing assistance with medical costs, food and end of duty services. We rely on donors like you to fund our project​, because there are no public funds for police and military working dogs.”

Jason was on the Morning News to give an update on the foundation and the latest on a Moses Lake dog named Chief.

Johnson says he is now working with Congress to arrange sustainable funding through passage of the K-9 Hero Act.

For a little perspective, here’s a look behind the badge of K-9 training in California.