Canine Firefighter

A Charlottesville-area organization is training a canine to help a firefighter with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“PTSD and other mental health disorders are fairly common in the fire service, and truly in any public safety,” Interim Fire Chief of the Charlottesville Fire Department Emily Pelliccia said.

Pelliccia has 25 years of experience in public safety and knows the toll this job has on firefighters’ mental health.

“This stuff that we see and deal with on a daily basis really requires some type of outlet, or some type of support beyond just daily living,” Pelliccia said.

That outlet can be as simple as a dog by your side.

“A dog can’t solve the huge problem, but they can be a piece. A dog is with someone constantly,” Service Dogs of Virginia Executive Director Peggy Law said.

Law has been training a canine, named Lewis, to help comfort a firefighter suffering from PTSD in the Hampton Roads area.

Training Therapy Dogs

A Wauwatosa teenager who is battling a life-threatening illness is making sure he helps others.

Sixteen-year-old Kyle Hansen is living with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Make-A-Wish Wisconsin granted him a wish, and Kyle’s was to get his dog, a poodle named Copper, trained as a therapy dog.

Copper now has the required training.

Kyle says seeing his dog while he was in the hospital helped him, and he wants others to experience that too.

“Because I didn’t want to do a wish where I went and bought a ton of stuff for myself,” Kyle said. “I wanted to do something that would be like meaningful, and I’d already experienced how much it meant.”

Kyle, Copper and their family went on a shopping spree at Back N’ Scratch Outpost on Bluemound Road Thursday night to pick up some special treats and toys for Copper.

Therapy Robot Dog

The Oak Pointe Senior Living Community in Monett includes care for patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, and on Thursday local resident Annie Lisenby Smith made a special donation to the memory-care facility.

“In honor of my grandmother, and her name is Agnes Conner, and she will be 100 in October, I wanted to give you guys a ‘Snoopy’ just like hers,” she told the staff in making the presentation. “It’s made a huge difference in her life.”

The “Snoopy” she’s referring to is a robotic dog made by Joy for All, a company that makes realistic therapy dogs and cats specifically designed for memory-care patients to provide social engagement and decrease loneliness.

With sensors in their fur, they react when petted and even have a heartbeat. The dogs bark and make cute whimpering noises while the cats purr and lick their paws.

So why are the robotic pets so important?

“As our patients lose their abilities they’re in a place they don’t recognize anymore,” explained Kathy Shepard Lanver, the Sales Director at Oak Pointe. “With dementia you use distraction measures if they’re having anxiety or having negative thoughts. Bring that little puppy in, that cat in, they completely forget about what they were anxious about.”

Annie wanted to donate a robotic dog to Oak Pointe because even though her grandmother with dementia, Agnes Conner, never lived there, Annie saw the tremendous difference a robotic dog made in Agnes’ life and wanted the patients at Oak Pointe to experience it too.

Agnes originally had a real dog named “Snoopy” but when it died her illness kept her from understanding it was gone.

So the family bought her a robotic “Snoopy” that Agnes treated like the real thing, even taking it out for potty breaks and feeding it food.

“She was force-feeding it,” Annie recalled with a smile. “Every time my dad would go and visit he had to pull bits of ham out of the dog’s mouth.”

Agnes also kept a bowl of food for her robotic dog that would be empty by the next morning, adding to Agnes’ belief that her dog was real.

But when the family set up a security camera to find out what was going on?

“They would see the neighbor’s cat slinking over the fence and coming over to eat all the dog food,” Annie said.

Then there was the time Agnes called saying “Snoopy” was sick.

“He wasn’t moving. He wasn’t barking. He wouldn’t eat anything,“ Annie recalled of the conversation. “So my uncle hopped in the car and zipped over and distracted her briefly so he could switch out the batteries. He healed ‘Snoopy’. ‘Snoopy’ was much better after that.”

Annie’s stories about Agnes are featured in a new Chicken Soup for the Soul book called “The Magic of Dogs” and Annie is hoping it will help other families dealing with loved ones who have dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.

“Animals listen without talking back,” she said.“I don’t think she would have had the quality of life at home if she hadn’t had her therapy dog.”

“They’re still going to be able to connect to that (the pet) even when they can’t connect to people anymore,” Kathy added.

Agnes did live in her own home near Pacific, Mo. until recently when she injured her hip. Now she’s at a senior care facility near Rolla trying to keep going at the age of 99.

We wish her all the best…and so does “Snoopy”.

Super Vet

The little Staffordshire Bull Terrier Jasper arrived at the facility with progressive deformities of both front legs, which could only be helped by surgery. And while under the knife, things took a turn for the worse as the pup found himself fighting for his life after going into cardiac arrest. However, after a tense few moments, the team of surgeons managed to bring Jasper back around – and now, seven years after the frightful day, he couldn’t look any healthier.

Jasper had his final surgery to fix his deformed legs,’ a voice over could be heard saying over video footage of the dog looking rather sorry for himself. ‘And now the frame is removed.’ His owner Andrea appeared on the screen, as she explained: ‘Jasper was in the hospital for three months, that was really difficult, but no matter what, he would come into that waiting room with his tail wagging.’

Wiping tears away from her eyes, the voice over stepped in, adding: ‘Jasper was given intense physio and hydro therapy to strengthen his muscles. ‘Five months after his initial operation, Jasper was able to walk and run freely.’ Every day since has been a celebration, seeing Andrea and her husband Graham throw everything into his birthday celebrations, as ‘every single one is a bonus.’ The proud owner added: ‘The transformation for Jasper has been amazing, you wouldn’t even know he had those operations.

‘He is just like any other job really. Focusing on Jasper’s health also had a ripple effect on the family. ‘Myself and my husband between us have lost eight stone, we’re all happier and healthier for Jasper being in out lives.’ It’s good news all round – and they’ve even managed to find some time to take their dog on holiday, seeing them travel around the Lake District and Loch Ness. Andrea said: ‘It has been quite a rollercoaster of emotions over the last seven years but I would go through every single second as I absolutely love him, and I’d go through it all over again.’

Unleashing The Fun

Local veteran organizations came together to celebrate veterans — and their canine companions.

Operation New Uniform and K9s for Warriors co-sponsored a Veteran Appreciation Night on Monday, July 20, at Brewhound Dog Park + Bar in Neptune Beach. The event gave veterans a chance to network with other veterans, and to learn about resources available to them.

“It’s awesome the way this community comes together to support veterans,” said Michele McManamon, executive director of Operation New Uniform.

ONU’s mission is to “train veterans and their families for fulfilling careers and develop their skills as they grow within an organization.” ONU was created in 2014 and has served nearly 300 veterans in its six years of operation.

Several other organizations were on hand to talk to veterans about services they provide that veterans may be unaware of.

One of the organizations, The Fire Watch, covers five counties across Northeast Florida, including St. Johns County. The organization’s goal is to end military veteran suicide by connecting veterans to available resources.

“The crux of our mission is we believe if we can engage veterans earlier, we can reduce the rate of veteran suicide,” said Nick Howland, executive director of The Fire Watch.

Howland said the COVID-19 pandemic makes veteran resources even more important, as socializing and other means of communication have been minimized.

“Isolation is a warning sign,” Howland said. “Homeless veterans are five times more likely to attempt suicide. The COVID crisis has aggravated what was a already a problem.”

Howland said The Fire Watch works with Veterans Affairs and other programs to devise a “best practices” approach reducing veteran suicides.

“We’re always looking for a way to better connect veterans to resources,” Howland said,

Another organization on hand was the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone. The Cohen Veterans Network is a nonprofit that supports the veteran population by offering accessible, high-quality mental health care services.

“We take the time to talk to them and find out what they need,” said Diane Stover, case manager for Cohen.

Stover said events like the one at Brew-hound are incredibly important because it gives veterans the chance to not only find out about resources, but to share the information with fellow veterans.

Veterans at Monday’s event were also able to enjoy Brewhound’s wide selection of beer, $2 tacos and the joy of seeing their animal friends play. There were also adoptable dogs on hand for anyone who didn’t have one —or wanted another one.

Navy veteran Kimberly Wichlan enjoyed the event with her pups, 2-year-old Barley and 4-month-old Piper.

“It’s really nice because there are just enough dogs and just enough people,” Wichlan said,

Few organizations combine veterans and dogs like K9s for Warriors, which is the nation’s largest provider of service dogs for disabled American veterans.

“It’s critical to get veterans together so they can speak with each other, get out of the house and into the world,” said Rory Diamond, CEO of K9s for Warriors and Jacksonville City Council member.

Veterans can be gainfully employed, doing their regular routines, and still be in crisis and not reaching out, Diamond said.

“There’s nothing more powerful than well-informed veterans to help their brothers and sisters,” Diamond said.

Dog Thieves

The theft from Fiveways Boarding Kennels and Cattery, in Barton Mills, on Thursday, July 9 has caused great distress to the dog owners, with one family saying it has left their children “in pieces”.

Business owner Sarah Francis told the EADT she will have to close following the theft of the dogs, which included puppies who were barely two weeks old.

“These are vile people who do not care,” she said. “They see them as just a financial gain, they don’t see them as our forever friends or beloved pets.

“One of the litters they stole they left the mother behind and now it is likely they won’t survive without her there to feed and support them – puppies require round the clock care and these kind of people won’t be giving them that.”

There have been 12 confirmed cases where dogs have been stolen in the county this year, and all bar one of those incidents involved the theft of dogs that would be classed as working gun breeds.

A spokesman for the force said: “Owners should be reassured that enquiries are ongoing to locate the offenders. The loss of any pet can be devastating and we advise all owners to be vigilant and take extra care surrounding crime prevention measures. In particular, we would advise working dog owners and breeders to review security of any outdoor kennels.”

Two female Lhasa Apsos were stolen during the Barton Mills break-in, while seven Lhasa Apso puppies and six five-week-old Labradors were also taken, as well as a three-year-old working Cocker Spaniel and a white Cockapoo.

Police are now keen to track a black 4×4, which had a spare tyre on the boot and was driven by a woman in her 20s. They are also looking for a small white van with two men inside.

It is believed the vehicles were parked on or near a field in Tuddenham Road, where the kennels are, between 4pm and 7pm on the day of the theft.

Melissa Murfet, whose dogs Annie, Betsy and Storm were stolen, said her children are “in pieces” as a result of the incident.

War Dog Monument

Therapy Dogs Graduate

The American Medical Response of Gulfport welcomed two cute new graduates to its staff today. Shelby and Tucker became certified therapy dogs earlier today. However, the road to certification has taken nearly two years. The AMR gets its puppies at the young age of six weeks old. At six months old, the dogs are tested to see if they qualify for Good Citizenship Certification. After the pups are deemed Good Citizens, they begin a series of evaluations and trainings for up to 18 months before they can officially become therapy dogs. AMR Deputy Chief Charles Wise tells News 25 about the impact therapy dogs have on AMR employees. “At the end of their shift they come in looking for Tucker. It’s their comfort zone. That’s where they go to relieve their stress at the time. And actually, you can tell when they’ve had a bad day because actually Tucker usually after he’s been with some of those employees that have had a really bad day, when we go home he does nothing but sleep. He’ll get in his spot and he’ll go to sleep. The difference since the pandemic began, due to the pandemic and not knowing the CDC guidelines regarding the contraction of the disease to the dogs, it has been a limited basis. But the employees still do get to see him. They have to wash their hands, they have to sanitize their hands and everything else before they’re able to see Tucker.”

Therapy Dog Willow

Willow, a 5-year-old therapy dog from Riverside, has won the title of 2020 “AmbassaDOG” for the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“I’m so proud of her and everything that she’s accomplished in her life and I think she’s such a great representation of what you can adopt from a shelter,” Willow’s mother, Melissa Marszalek, told NBC 10 News during an interview at Roger William’s Park in Providence.

“There are so many dogs out there,” she said. Marszalek said she adopted Willow as a stray three years ago from Providence Animal Control. “I went down and met her and fell in love,” Marszalek said.

Since then, Willow has become a certified therapy dog, receiving her certification from Paws From the Heart. She is a member of the PVD Pups Program at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, with her presence helping to calm and soothe passengers.

“I had no idea what her background was and she just blossomed into this very special dog,” Marszalek said.

“My friends and family fought so hard for her to win so we could show everyone how wonderful it is to adopt, how great pit bull-type dogs are and can be, and how loving and special they really are,” she added.

Through a recent photo contest that RISPCA held online, Willow helped raise $4,428 for the non-profit organization.

In total, contestants raised more than $14,000, with participants donating $1 per vote.

“We had 94 entries,” Connie Kile, who is the director of development and community relations for RISPCA, said.

Kile said Willow will be featured as part of RISPCA’s 18th annual Paws in the Park Dog Walk. It’s set for the end of September.

“We’re really excited to be hosting our event this year,” said Kile.

“And Willow is amazing,” she added. “She is absolutely adorable.”

Kile also praised Marszalek, noting that she serves as a volunteer for RISPCA, as well as Providence Animal Control.

In fact, Marszalek was awarded the “Animals Best Friend Award” from the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association in December.

“They have been doing a ton of work in the community,” Kile said of Marszalek and Willow.

But Marszalek said she and Willow love every minute of it. They are happy to help.

“I’m so humbled by it,” she said. “I’m so grateful to the SPCA and they’re going to do some wonderful things with the money.”

The dynamic duo plans to participate in the walk, which is set to be RISPCA’s first in-person fundraising event since the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Participants set their own goals raise funds for the organization.

“All those funds get pooled together for one big total,” Kile said.

This year, RISPCA set a goal of $30,000 after raising $20,000 in 2019.

“We hope we can do it,” Kile said.

Kile said the funds from the walk, as well as the photo contest, will be used for various community programs RISPCA offers.

While one program assists people in need get access to affordable veterinarian care, another helps anyone who has experienced an extreme hardship to temporarily board their pets in “a loving and safe” environment at a low cost.

“This allows us to keep pets and people together,” Kile said. “They get they help that they need so they can be reunited.”

Funds will also be used for their emergency pet food assistance program.

“We’re serving many families that generally wouldn’t need assistance but lost financial stability due to losing their job to COVID,” Kile said. “We also were delivering food to people who testing positive and couldn’t leave their homes. We are still going deliveries now.”

Kile, along with Joe Warzycha, who heads RISPCA, said they’re looking forward to the upcoming walk, especially since they had to cancel several other events due to COVID-19 limitations. They plan to follow the governor’s guidelines, such as mask-wearing and social distancing, for both volunteers and participants.

“We had to cancel our 150th anniversary celebration, so my fingers are crossed that we’ll be able to hold this one,” said Warzycha. “It will obviously be outdoors, and we will be well within the limitations on capacity. We’ll have less vendors and space them out more, and we can stagger start times for the walk.”

Kile shared similar sentiments, also noting that events like the walk are vital to RISPCA and the animals they serve.

“Most of our events have been cancelled or rescheduled, so we rely on fundraising events like this to provide programs and services to the community,” she said.

The event is scheduled at Rose Larisa Park in Riverside on Sept. 26, with registration starting at 10 a.m., and a Halloween Costume Contest for pets and their owners beginning at 11:30 a.m. The walk will kick off at noon, with the top fundraisers and contest winners announced immediately after.

“It’s important for the SPCA as a fundraiser, but it’s also important for the community,” Kile said. “Everyone enjoys being out and about, and this is definitely something that we missed over the last few months. I think it will be a great opportunity for people to just take a walk through the park, visit with vendors, and safely socialize with their dogs.”

Service Animals

If the past three months without a service dog have been a challenge for Ann Moxley, the next year seems poised to be a struggle.

The Victoria resident, who lives with physical disabilities, used to rely on her faithful companion Gretzky for a variety of household tasks. She fondly recalls times when Gretzky would pick up a wallet that slipped from her pocket or retrieve a toque and mittens blown into the road by a gust of wind.

But Moxley has been without his support since his death from a rare liver condition in April. And since the COVID-19 pandemic has caused Canada’s service dog training schools to halt or suspend their programs, she isn’t scheduled to meet his successor until at least July 2021.

“It’s hard, it’s all I can do to exist,” Moxley said in an interview. “It’s incredibly lonely.”

Moxley plans to get her new companion from Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, a school based in Oakville, Ont., that trains service animals to support people with a range of physical and sensory disabilities.

Chief Executive Officer Beverly Crandell said COVID-19 has forced the school to cancel in-person training classes, adding more names to an already-lengthy waiting list of people eager for service dog support.

She said while dogs have been successfully placed in foster homes while classes are on-hold, addressing the needs of their future human partners has proven much more complex.

“Clients are a different story,” Crandell said. “… They have been put on hold.”

Figures provided by the school estimate approximately 80 disabled Canadians have had their training deferred due to the pandemic. Officials said the school is offering virtual support to its existing clients and looks forward to the day when it can “create more life-changing matches for people with disabilities.”

Pandemic-related setbacks also abound at Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, an Ottawa-area training facility that cancelled all in-person classes at the end of March when public health-related lockdowns took effect across the country.

Manager of Development Alex Ivic said the school has had to explore alternatives to replace the residential model at the heart of its usual training program. Local clients, for instance, began receiving home-based training in May.

Ivic said the campus reopened to students last month, though only one person at a time is allowed to occupy the residence.

“The pandemic gave us new challenges,” Ivic said. “We had to push everything back and the wait times for those waiting for a dog are variable.”

Moxley anticipates additional struggles when she’s finally cleared to train with a new dog, saying COVID-19-related restrictions make the prospect of travelling from Victoria to Oakville daunting and possibly risky.

Canada’s service animal training schools don’t generally receive government support, relying instead on charitable donations to stay afloat. Both the Lions school and Canadian Guide Dogs for the blind said the financial squeeze caused by the pandemic adds another dimension to their struggles to keep going during a time of upheaval.

But Ivic, for one, remains optimistic, saying schools are committed to matching successful service dog teams while preserving the health of all concerned.

“I hope things will go back to normal one day to train multiple clients at once,” he said. “I know there will be changes in our protocols to keep people safe,” Ivic said.