American Dog

Early Times, an All-American Whisky since 1860, searched the country to find “All-American Dogs” and has selected a Simpsonville, Kentucky dog as one of the 10 winners in a national contest.

Thor, a two-year-old husky, was chosen from tens-of-thousands of entries as part of the Early Times All-American Dogs social media campaign.

Thor participated in a photoshoot with other All-American dogs from across the country, and his picture will be featured in the Early Times 2021 All-American Dogs calendar later this fall.

On Monday, Aug. 3, a billboard featuring Thor was also revealed in Louisville on I-64 near Payne Street.

“Thor has been good to the bone since he was born,” said Robert Trinkle, partner and senior vice president at PriceWeber. “After being saved from a kill shelter, Thor was adopted by the program, Paws Behind Bars, where he was trained by a prisoner for four months to learn manners and commands. He’s a smart and compassionate All-American Dog.”

“The most All-American quality about Thor is his relationship with my grandkids,” said Cassie O’Brien, Thor’s owner. “When we adopted Thor, the bond was instantaneous. He’s a great dog.”

The 10 winners hail from Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, Nevada and Indiana.

The Early Times 2021 All-American Dogs calendar includes stories of redemption, lifesaving-heroics, military training and unwavering companionship, and will be available to the public in a downloadable and printable version on the Early Times website.

The calendar will also feature Molly, the one-year-old rescue dog sponsored by Early Times.

Molly is training to become a service canine as part of the brand’s longtime partnership with K9s For Warriors, a nonprofit organization committed to training service canines for military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, and other trauma resulting from post-9/11 military service. To date, Early Times has donated $200,000 to K9s For Warriors.

Training Guide Dogs

Before the Coronavirus pandemic struck, the Southeastern Guide Dogs campus in Palmetto was full of volunteers, trainers, and playful puppies.

But when the Pandemic struck that all changed.

“Before the Coronavirus, we took a hands-on approach through the training of most of our dogs. Right now, because of the pandemic, we have to use technology. For example, we use Facebook Live, Zoom, and other online platforms to provide training to our 300 plus volunteers puppy raisers”, explains CEO of Southeastern Guide Dogs, Titus Herman.

The puppies are paired with people who suffer some kind of disability whether physical or mental like PTSD or anxiety.

“I’m hoping for a service dog because I truly believe it will provide the full-time companionship and aid because of my military service injuries,” Leo Garza says in a video to Southeastern Guide Dogs.

Herman says even in the midst of this pandemic where we have to social distance, the puppies provide a friendship that is much needed now

“Thankfully these dogs transform the lives of the recipients in significant ways and because of those dogs the people we serve people are able to leave their homes. Even though they may be physically distant from others. They will get to make a social connection and the dogs create a bridge between isolation and society,”

Animal Therapy

The nonprofit, which recently relocated from Richmond, Va., hosted its first group session Feb. 19 but canceled the second, which was scheduled March 18, due to the pandemic. These monthly sessions would have been facilitated by coordinators with the group with help from dogs provided by Therapy Dogs Boulder County at Longmont United Hospital. The group wanted to continue supporting the community with therapy, but was not left with many options as public health orders that mandated social distancing took hold.

“Getting the word out amid COVID has been difficult,” said Marcia Patrick, who acts as an advisor to Rise Phoenix Rise.

The group decided to host Animal Antics, a free Zoom support group for people ages 18 and older, at 4 p.m. every Monday. The remote sessions feature conversations about animals and how to use them to cope with mental health issues. Executive Director Traci Jones said these conversations are especially important because of the increased isolation some people face during the pandemic. She is hoping to create a community within these calls where people can comfortably talk about their problems.

“Potentially more and more people will show up and we will have more vibrant conversations about the loneliness and isolation feelings we are having during this quarantine time,” Jones said. “It doesn’t replace the actual in-person meetings we could be having but it is an alternative.”

Facilitators encourage participants to share photos and memories of their favorite animals to help foster discussion and to help participants feel more comfortable talking about their mental health issues.

Coordinators hope participants will be able to better understand their mental health issues through tactics such as “animal mindfulness.” Coordinators ask thought-provoking questions such as “if you could be an animal what would you be and why.” The questions are meant to create a discussion that can be used for participants to better understand their mental health.

“One of the things we learned is that you can get someone who is terribly shy and terribly noncommutative to open up when there is a dog involved,” said Patrick. “That’s where the therapy dogs really help, it takes the pressure off them.”

According to Jones, participants learn through these sessions how to incorporate animals into their “wellness toolbox,” which is a set of actions a person can do to take care of their mental health.

Sometimes the calls will feature dogs like Jalapeno the German shepherd, but Jones said it is difficult to keep animals still in front of the screen for long periods of time. Normally they would have multiple dogs at every session if they were in person.

Outreach has also been difficult due to the pandemic because of the limits ways the group can serve the community safely, according to Jones.

“It was very hard to transition to virtual,” said Jones. “I would like more people in Colorado to learn from us and benefit from us.”

In the future, the group wants to incorporate one-on-one sessions to better serve their participants. Sessions will remain online until it is safe to meet in person.

Nora The Therapy Dog

There is a new staff member at the Marion Municipal Court and her name is Nora. Her job focuses on helping people, both staff members and the public, feel less stress. With her happy face and engaging personality she is the perfect candidate for the job. Did we mention Nora is a dog? She is an adorable 13-week-old Bernadoodle who has been in Marion for a little over four weeks.

Nora came to Marion from the Buckeye Ridge breeders in Glouster, Ohio, like her cousin Chip, who works with the Marion Police Department. Both are comfort/therapy dogs and were made possible to the community thanks to grants at the Marion Community Foundation. The Ron & Laura Scharer Fund made Nora possible for the court, and the Whetstone Financial Fund helped the Marion Police Department acquire K-9 Chip.

“We love dogs and know their ability to bring comfort in stressful times” said Laura Scharer, a long-time dog owner. “I think all dogs are good therapy.”

Research shows that comfort dogs have many positive effects on people. Their presence can lower blood pressure and release endorphins, creating a calming effect on people’s moods. The Bernadoodle breed is perfect for this job, getting the best characteristics of the Bernese mountain dog and the poodle. They are known to be highly intelligent, hard-working, have good tempers, love being with people and are hypoallergenic. This means people are less likely to have an allergic reaction to Nora and there will be less shedding in the court.

Nora’s father was a Bernadoodle and her mom was Bernese mountain dog, giving her a great start for her job. “She loves to come to work,” shared Coral Fitsko, Marion Muncipal Court’s Civil Division deputy clerk and the person Nora goes home with each night. “ She is gets very excited when she knows it is time to come to work. The staff enjoys seeing her as well.”

Nora, whose name means “honor,” will receive three training courses over the next year, ranging from basic obedience to full therapy training. When fully trained as an emotional support dog, she will be a calming presence throughout the Marion Municipal Court and the probation office areas for staff, witnesses and other court visitors.

“We want people to feel comfortable while in the court; many are dealing with tough issues in their lives, like addiction,” said Judge Teresa Ballinger. “My goal has been to assist individuals going through these problems to find ways to successfully make changes for a better future. After over 15 years in the court, I have found it is important that we seem approachable to better support these individuals.”

Nora is part of that solution. If she can to allow people to relax, they can concentrate on what they need to do to make changes in their lives. After she receives all of her shots, she will slowly begin to spend time in the court and probation offices.

But life is not all work for Nora. When we met her she was having a great day with new adventures. She had met K-9 Chip earlier for the first time. Nora then discovered “another dog” in the office when she saw herself in the mirror. She reacted with her first barks in the office. Nora has been so quiet there that her barks brought Probation Clerk Bevin Peppard to see Nora bark. All laughed at Nora’s antics. You can tell she is well-loved.

Nora has a pink squeaky monkey toy at work, but at home her favorite toy is a squeaky duck. There she gets to play with Fitsko’s Wheaton terrier and the neighbor’s Bernese mountain dog. Nora has her favorite people at work, who might give her extra treats and belly rubs. Judge Ballinger is trying to keep Nora from gaining too much puppy weight, but it might be an uphill battle.  Full grown Nora will be between 65-75 pounds and be able to work a good eight to nine years before retiring. So the people of Marion will get many opportunities to make friends with the delightful Nora.

After 2 Years Of Waiting, N.J. Boy On Autism Spectrum Finally Gets His Service Dog

A New Jersey mother’s appeal to get her son a service dog has been answered by strangers.

Her little boy is on the autism spectrum and doctors advised he get a comforting canine, but they are very expensive.

Two years ago, CBS2’s Lisa Rozner covered the family’s story and now has this uplifting update.

When she met 2-year-old Joey Stanley in 2018 he was obsessed with vacuums, and still is. He’s now 5.

“I like vacuums and rocket ships,” Joey said.

And dogs. Not just because they’re cute, but because they can bring him from a state of confusion and chaos to calm.

Joey, who is on the spectrum, would bang his head when he got mad. Doctors recommended he get a service dog.

But Faith Stanley, a working single mom of four, could not afford it with her income. So, two years ago she started a GoFundMe page.

After CBS2 told her story: “It was $500 and then it went to $18,000,” Faith said.

Janice Wolfe, who only lived a few towns away, saw the story, too. It turns out she had started the nonprofit Merlin’s Kids Service Dogs and has trained over 1,000 canines. She wanted to help Faith and Joey.

“It’s kind of like you see a dog or a child and you say oh my gosh, I connect,” Wolfe said.

Over the next two years, Janice would introduce Joey to around eight different dogs to see which one would make the best match. Eventually, a corgi-beagle mix named Boots — because his paws are white — was the one.

“The minute we found him I knew he was a good candidate for Joey because he’s so … almost comatose calm,” Wolfe said.

Merlin’s Kids adopted Boots from a shelter in Missouri and then trained him for a year and a half. Then he came to New Jersey and Faith was trained on how to work with Boots for around three months.

“And Boots would then come and lay down on Joey and put comfort and pressure on him, which Joey loves,” Faith said.

Joey planted a kiss on Boots, adding, “He loves me. I love Boots because he’s so cute. He’s so cute and I love his tail.”

Joey said the dog makes him feel calm.

Faith said Boots has helped the family through the pandemic, and added Janice has become a lifelong friend.

It’s important to take good care of Boots, too, so she started making homemade treats, and with Wolfe has started up “Whiskers Barkery,” selling items out of a storefront in Boonton.

The women said the proceeds will go to helping other families find their own Boots.

Faith is now documenting the tales of Joey and Boots and sharing it on Instagram.

Service Dog Reunited

Therapy Dogs

Libby, a Golden Retriever who died in June, was memorialized last month on what would have been her 13th birthday.

Her human, Ann Marie Cioffi of Sandy Hook, was surprised by friends and members of Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs (NSTD), who had arranged for a tree to be planted and a plaque honoring Libby to be installed near the town’s animal control facility and dog park.

The group had arranged for Cioffi to be driven to the surprise location by telling her they would gather for pizza on the anniversary of Libby’s birth. While the gathering was purportedly to be at Cioffi’s home, she was somehow convinced to go for a ride with Marianne Huniyak around 5 o’clock Thursday afternoon, July 23. When Cioffi and Huniyak arrived at the parking lot for the town’s animal control center, Cioffi just went with the flow.

When she saw signs for Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs and nearly two dozen people seated under a pair of pop-up tents, she still did not realize that they were there for her.

Most of those in attendance had not seen each other for a few months. Aside from the afternoon of July 15, when a new handler-canine team was certified under special modifications, NSTD events have been canceled in recent months due to the pandemic.

Even after NSTD handler Liz Luzietti presented her with a few gifts on behalf of the group, Cioffi still did not realize what was happening.

It was not until First Selectman Dan Rosenthal joined the group that she began to really wonder what was going on. Luzietti invited Cioffi to join her and the first selectman near the recently planted tree, telling her that the tree was a gift from the group.

In a very brief ceremony, Rosenthal then unveiled a permanent memorial to the dog Cioffi said recently was the very reason Newtown-Strong exists.

A weeping cherry tree has been planted on the corner of the driveway where Old Farm Road intersects with the driveway shared by Newtown’s animal control center and Newtown Park & Bark. To the north of the tree, a small brass marker has been installed with help from Newtown Parks & Recreation.

The marker has a blue background and features an inscription with Libby’s name, her face, and the dates of her birth and death. Two lines also note her as “Loving Matriarch of Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs.”

“This is the tough part of owning dogs,” Rosenthal said, speaking to Cioffi. “Losing them is so difficult.”

“We all know dogs have a way of saying so much, by saying so little,” he added. Calling it noteworthy that Cioffi’s friends and fellow handlers had arranged for the monument and tree to be unveiled on what would have been Libby’s birthday, Rosenthal said her spirit “will always be here, looking over everybody.”

Her voice catching, Cioffi clasped her hands to her mouth and said “Thank you, thank you, thank you all.”

Even behind the dark sunglasses she was wearing, it was obvious the afternoon’s guest of honor had watery eyes at that point.

“What a great honor for Libby,” she said. “Thank you all so much. I can barely talk right now.”

Luzietti was the first to speak after that. When she told Cioffi, “You and Libby have done so much for so many,” murmurs of agreement were heard.

Lightening the mood, NSTD handler Jen Franke said Libby would have loved the gathering.

“She would be prancing around if she could,” Franke said, “with her lead in her mouth.”

Therapy dogs have been around for years, but many Newtown residents were introduced to them following 12/14. When residents began looking for some way to help them grieve, many found dogs waiting to be petted, hugged, talked to, or even sat beside in silence.

Cioffi formed NSTD, she told The Newton Bee in 2018, after seeing the response by fellow residents to Libby in the immediate aftermath of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Based on her visits with Libby in December 2012, Cioffi felt there were many people who would benefit from continued visits with therapy dogs.

While borne out of tragedy, NSTD remains active and localized. That makes it different from many other comfort dog programs, according to Cioffi, a Sandy Hook resident and professional dog trainer.

In many other cases, therapy dog teams are called on to respond to a tragic event. They drive or fly in to a location, offer what comfort they can, sometimes for a few months, but then they return to their homes.

“We felt such a need for this community,” Cioffi said two years ago. “So many people needed that therapy dog.

“The reason I wanted to start this local group,” she continued, “was because we had dogs in from all over the country, but I knew that they weren’t necessarily going to be hanging around in the aftermath months.”

Libby was already certified at that time through Therapy Dogs International, according to Cioffi. When she began thinking about forming a localized therapy dog group, however, Cioffi decided to go with a different program. After doing research, she found Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, a 501(c)(3) organization based in northern New Jersey.

Ms Cioffi and Libby, joined by Marianna Beard and two of her dogs, traveled to Ellington and were certified by Ms Quinn within weeks of 12/14. Two more canine-handler teams were tested and certified through Bright & Beautiful within the next few weeks, said Ms Cioffi. That group became the original core of Newtown-Strong Therapy Dogs.

Libby’s full name was Mirasol Cayberry UnScentsored BN, CD, RA, CGC, OD, Newtown-Strong Therapy Dog. She died on June 8 following a battle with hemangiosarcoma, or cancer of the blood vessel walls.

In a post on NSTD’s Facebook page two days after her dog’s death, Cioffi said she felt compelled to write about Libby, “to share the wonder of who she was and the love she so freely gave to every person and creature she ever met.”

AKC titled in Obedience and Rally, certified in Tracking, and the 2014 recipient of The Golden Retriever Club of America Gold Standard Award, Libby, Cioffi wrote, passed down “her stellar temperament, brains and confidence” to four generations of puppies and their offspring.

Even with the aforementioned honors, however, Cioffi felt that Libby’s biggest accomplishment in life began in December 2012.

The day after the shooting at Sandy Hook School, Libby and Cioffi went to work, she shared on Facebook.

“Libby took me into town the next day, and every day for the next two weeks, as hundreds of people came to express their sorrow and pay their respects. She worked for hours each day, tirelessly comforting everyone who needed her, while she herself absorbed the hurt, pain, and devastation of the people in our town.

“Every day she endured huge TV cameras thrust without warning and without diplomacy into her face. Within the huge crowds, she often got shoved and stepped on. Cars nearly running over our feet because sidewalks had been extended into the road to accommodate the daily hundreds of people and press.

“The crowds and the noise were sometimes overwhelming, sirens often blaring within inches of us, but Libby always held her ground; she never flinched, not once! Each day, both utterly exhausted, we made the trek home.

“Libby was so depressed on those evenings, but the next day she would get up and be ready to go again to bring some measure of comfort where she could,” Cioffi posted on Facebook. “My own role in this was simply to follow Libby.”

In an e-mail shared with The Newtown Bee, Cioffi said her late companion “alone is the reason that Newtown-Strong exists today. She started it, she carried it, she grew it.”

Chopper The Biker Dog

San Diego’s local dog celebrity, Chopper the Biker Dog, has spent much of his 11-year life visiting people in need, whether they lay sick or dying in a hospital, nursing home or hospice.

On Sunday evening, scores of people came to a drive-by parade in La Mesa to do the same for Chopper, who is struggling with his own illnesses and likely nearing the end of his life.

Last year, Chopper was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease and non-regenerative anemia, said Mark Shaffer, Chopper’s owner.

Since then, Chopper has had to undergo several blood transfusions and visit a pet hospital every two to three weeks for blood tests, Shaffer said. Shaffer didn’t hold a birthday celebration for Chopper last year because he thought he might have to prepare for the dog’s funeral instead. The parade for Chopper’s 11th birthday on Sunday was important to Shaffer because he suspects it could be the dog’s last.

“The thought that this might be his last birthday and there’s a time that’s gonna come when he’s not at my side, it’s very sad and emotional,” Shaffer said.

Shaffer, who works as a realtor, has had Chopper since he was 3 months old. He trained the Boston terrier to be a therapy dog and ride his signature radio-controlled chopper bike.

Chopper’s visits have made people smile despite their circumstances and temporarily forget their pain, families have told Shaffer. Chopper is a familiar face at events for nonprofit organizations such as Special Olympics, the Alzheimer’s Association and The Salvation Army.

“That’s what it’s all about… bringing comfort and love and trying to do something positive,” Shaffer said.

Shaffer organized Chopper’s birthday parade to give people a chance to meet Chopper and thank them for supporting him. Shaffer said fans have voluntarily donated to help pay for Chopper’s medical costs, which were around $30,000.

The dog has 116,000 followers on his Facebook page.

“He wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the support of all his fans,” Shaffer said. “There’s no way I could’ve given him the medical attention he needed.”

Chopper fan Cindy Rapponotti was planning to drive to Chopper’s birthday parade with her husband from her home in Lake Elsinore, because she wants to see Chopper for the first time.

“I really like following positive things out there. There’s so much negativity, I don’t want to fill my mind with the negativity,” Rapponotti said about why she follows Chopper on social media.

Rapponotti’s voice broke as she spoke about Chopper. Her own Boston terrier, Dotty, died about a week ago.

“(Chopper) has given so much and I just wanna be there to help show them that we appreciate it,” Rapponotti said.

Mindy Shelly Johnson, who lives in southern Indiana, said she was part of a group of fans that convinced Shaffer to accept donations for Chopper’s medical care, since Shaffer refused at first.

“(Chopper) gives so much to the community, and we realize his dad is a big-hearted man, and he actually is the one that ‘does’ this,” she said.

Johnson said she clung to Chopper’s social media posts when all three of her Boston terriers died within the span of nine months. She cried when she watched a recent TV news segment about Chopper’s 11th birthday.

“I have to say when (Shaffer) loses Chopper to this disease it will be a very heartbreaking day for me too… as well as every fan of his,” Johnson said.

New Treats For Dogs

K9 Medibles is an emerging leader in the CBD marketplace by providing the most cutting edge hemp based CBD products and treatment delivery options made available exclusively for canine owners & their pets. K9 Medibles, providing Cannabidiol (CBD) products especially tailored for canines, announced the launch of its new Pumpkin Spice & Cinnamon Joint & Mobility CBD Treats. Specially formulated with Full Spectrum Hemp Oiland the superfood combination of Turmeric and Boswellia Root, this power-house combination of all-organic of ingredients is intended to help manage K9 joint pain & inflammation due to arthritis or age-related mobility issues.
allowing consumers in the US access to their artisanal, hand-crafted CBD oil for dogs. K9 Medibles new Pumpkin Spice & Cinnamon Joint & Mobility CBD Treats are intended to serve the ever-growing audience of holistic minded pet care owners, breeders and K9 trainers who are seeking alternative means to comfort and care for their canine companions with an affordable, all natural, hemp based product. K9 Medibles is known for their science based approach to cannabinoid therapy and offers pet parents their extensive knowledge and experience in formulating premium CBD-rich products and educating dog owners about the healing benefits of cannabinoid therapy for dogs.

Founded in 2017, K9 Medibles has become a leading advocate for the use of natural hemp CBD to specifically address the age related illnesses and health challenges of ‘Mans-Best-Friend’.

“I’m excited about the release of our new wholesome CBD treats this month, it’s a great compliment to our clinically effective 2-In-1 Canine Support Formula”, said Curtis Barnes – founder and CEO of K9 Medibles. “I’m proud to announce the release of our new CBD treats as part of our line of premuim pet care products. We’ve selected the finest full specrtum hemp CBD to combine with the medicinal healing properties of Turmeric and Bosswellia for a delicious food based treat for dogs.”

“With this announcement we are intending to bring to market the most effective, therapeutically active, full-spectrum hemp CBD treat to help dogs feel better while offering a superior therapy at lower market entry prices for pet parents. I believe every dog can benefit from cannabinoid therapy and we have made it easier for more dogs to experience the healing benefits if CBD in a convenient edible CBD treat for dogs.

K9 Medibles is committed to being a worldwide leader of cannabinoid products to help support canine health by providing research into using CBD as a treatment alternative so that this amazing phytonutrient is made available to all devoted dog owners to keep their furry companions healthy and happy. Their passion is to help pet parents provide the best nutritional support to care for their aging & ailing canine family members.

By giving dog owners a superior hemp oil product at a more affordable price, K9 Medibles is setting the gold standard for superior natural, alternative complementary health care for dogs of all ages.

The release of K9 Medibles Joint & Mobility CBD Treats is the culmination of our continued intention to produce the highest quality CBD formulated products made specifically to improve the health and longevity of our beloved K9 companions.

K9 Deputy Dogs

When it comes to fighting crime, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office believes it’s barking up the right tree.

This week, the sheriff’s office welcomed five new dogs to its growing K9 unit that already includes 21 dogs.

The new dogs include a patrol K9, two K9s assigned to sheriff’s highway interdiction Ttam and two narcotics detection K9s assigned to the Land O Lakes Detention Center to help thwart the smuggling of illegal drugs into the jail.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office was one of the first law enforcement agencies in Tampa Bay to routinely use K9s. The unit, including training, equipment, medical care and food for the dogs is funded through the Pasco Sheriff’s Charities.

Lt. Clint Cabbage, who oversees the K9 unit, said the all the K9s go through a rigorous selection and certification process before earning their badges. This includes specialized training designed for specific law enforcement tasks.

Chris, a German Shepherd who joined the K9 unit in 2017, is specially training to detect explosives and serves on the Tampa Bay Regional Bomb Squad, assisting at high-profile sporting events ad the Gasparilla Parade.

Trinity, also a German Shepherd, is a member of the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association. He’s responsible for hundreds of arrests and narcotics seizures.

Knox, a bloodhound that was purchased through a donation when he was just 8 weeks, underwent extensive training to learn to track and trail missing people and fleeing criminals. He is now certified through the National Police Bloodhound Association.

Phi, a yellow lab, is also certified by the NNDDA but his specialty is finding human remains on land and water. He has assisted the FBI on numerous cases.

The other members of the Pasco Sheriff’s K9 unit specialize in explosives detection, narcotics detection, tracking, evidence recovery, apprehending fleeing criminals, building searches and cadaver searches.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is also among the first law enforcement agencies to add mental health therapy dogs to its K9 unit. Charlie and Mango are trained to calm and comfort children in crisis, agitated people with mental health problems and drug addicts experiencing anxiety.