Pet Pals....

Pet Pals at Tryon Estates: L. to R. Dana Mayer and Champ ( ME!), BJ Vare and Diva, Katie Malone and Ziggy, Trudy Sloan and Pepe', Jim Vare and Daisy

Pet Pals is a group of folks and their dogs ( Dogs rock!) from this area that have undergone testing and training to be able to go to nursing homes, retirement centers, schools, hospitals, and camps....or anywhere folks are that would enjoy a visit. We are organized and insured by Therapy Dogs International which is a national group that provides support, guidelines, and insurance for these type of groups.

We go on visits many places in the community and most the folks seem to enjoy our being there.
Of course, there is always a party pooper somewhere! And I am OK with the fact that not everyone can appreciate us for who we are and what we do. But the majority of folks seem to really enjoy our visits and I think I can vouch for the other doggies, when I say, that we have a job and we take it seriously!

Katie Malone is responsible for starting the Pet Pals here in the area and she is the trainer. She has really done a fine job of orgainizing and looking after all the picky little details.....and I love her dog, Ziggy!

We have to go through an initial test which mainly consists of making sure a dog would make a good therapy dog. Obviously, if your dog bites or growls, then they will fail! We have to be calm enough not to knock folks down or hurt them. We are tested around wheelchairs and walkers as we have to be able to go up to folks many times that are in either of these. Some of the dogs are smaller and can be placed in the lap of folks and they really seem to enjoy holding these dogs. Needless to say, my butt is too big to get in their lap and I could probably seriously hurt some one if I were to try.

One time at White Oak Estates, there was a lady who was bedridden and she wanted so very badly to touch me....so I started climbing in the bed with her.....Needless to say, this was not my best idea! I guess some of us just will never make it as lap dogs!

We are also tested around other dogs to make sure there are no "incidents" while visiting. This is a big No-No as well. And we are tested around strangers to see how we react to them in a setting such as an assisted living. Laurelwoods has been very helpful in letting us use their facility to train.

We need more dogs and handlers! There are just not enough of us to go around and it is such a rewarding job! There were a whole bunch of really cute doggies in our last training session and I want to see them. Please have your owners bring you to one of our visiting sessions! We have so many places to visit so you can pick and choose your times and places....

And if you have a dog that you think might qualify as a Therapy Dog and make some one's day, please consider taking the test and training with them. Katie will be having another training session in January and if you think you have what it takes, please have your person call Katie @
864-415-5804.

I know it may not seem like much compared to dog bones and toys, but I always get thanked for coming, usually by several folks. The last time I was visiting, a lady called several of us back over and said that "she thanked us from the bottom of her heart for coming".

So you see....YOU can make a difference!

Woof!

CHAMP