“Napsters”
by Judith Jaffe of Chicago, IL
Pictured in Photo: A 2½-year-young Star II, CCI Facility Dog

“I have Star II, the first Facility Dog to work in the Chicago Public Schools. Star, like Dustin, is from Canine Companions for Independence [CCI]. I am a school social worker, and Star has been my co-therapist for the past two years. We also do a weekly reading group, and a ‘Star of the Month’ bulletin board that features kids’ portraits with Star. This first photo shows Star napping with a student who was having a rough day and needed to settle down.”

“How Long is Star’s Head?”
by Judith Jaffe of Chicago, IL
Pictured in Photo: A 2½-year-young Star II, CCI Facility Dog
“Here is Star participating in a classroom lesson of estimating and measuring.”

“Best Buddies”
by Judith Jaffe of Chicago, IL
Pictured in Photo: A 2½-year-young Star II, CCI Facility Dog

“Star has helped this student reduce his fear of medical procedures by being able to visualize her ‘telling him secrets’ (nuzzling his ear). She actually was present at Shriner’s Hospital, accompanying him in the casting room, while he was having his sutures removed following a recent surgery.”

“Most Popular Student”
by Judith Jaffe of Chicago, IL
Pictured in Photo: A 2½-year-young Star II, CCI Facility Dog
“Who is the most popular student you ask? The one with the fur, of course!”

 
"Tea Time with Dustin"
by Diane Rampelberg of San Jose, CA
Pictured in Photo: A 5-year-young Dustin II,
Canine Companion for Independence Facility Dog, May 2003

“In the classroom Dustin does a variety of commands all designed to bring his special magic to encouraging the children toward their goals and objectives. His gentle urging and unconditional love have motivated some children to say their first words to him. Some have taken their first steps with him. Others have conquered fears.

Dustin encourages expressive/receptive language, motor control, both fine and gross, and socialization. He responds to switch activated speaking devices that allow some children to give him commands. Other children learn to hold/release his leash, as well as coordinating their eyes and limbs when they reach to pet him or take him for a walk. He responds to over twelve commands in sign language allowing hearing impaired children the opportunity to learn to communicate. He sings How Much Is That Doggie In The Window to get a laugh or just a smile. He just plain loves children.

This series of photos were taken at Ms. Ginger Brown's Visually Impaired Class at the Chandler Tripp School in San Jose, CA where Dustin and I have volunteered for the last three and one-half years. Four-year-old Rachel is enjoying Tea Time with her Golden pal.”

Diane formed Dustin's Paw, a non-profit Animal Assisted Therapy organization. You can read about it here in this wonderful Helping Paw article. And, check out this news article here about Dustin and one about Diane here. And, to get Diane's latest Dustin's Paw Newsletter, click here.

“Love of a Red Dog”
by George Collins of Valley Village, CA
Pictured in Photo: A 6-year-young Casey

“I adopted Casey on Thanksgiving Day 2002. He lived out on a farm in rural Riverside County and his favorite past time was picking apples off the trees and chasing the squirrels away. Because of his gentle nature I knew he would make an excellent therapy animal. He is the kindest and most affectionate dog I have ever known. We have been doing therapy work since June of 2003. He has many fans among the senior residents at a local nursing home. The photo shows him doing what he does best. I call it snuggle therapy.”

“Make Yourself at Home”
by Julie Burgin of Cedar Rapids, IA
Pictured in Photo: A 10½-year-young Ben, May 2003

“Shoulda Ben Duke UD is a male retired from obedience showing. Ben was about 10 ½ years old when the picture was taken and he is now 11years old. Ben recently received his Therapy Dog International Active certificate for doing 50 visits. Ben goes every Tuesday to either a nursing home or a hospital to do therapy visits. He totally enjoys his work and entertains the people with his enthusiasm. He knows that I bring treats along in my pocket and he doesn’t hesitate to remind me with a woof that I should be dishing out the treats. The people all seems to get a good laugh at Ben’s determination to get a treat and of course many of the people he goes to see want to give him what he is asking for. He also does his “trick” of catching a treat that I drop from my mouth. Everyone seems to love that trick. Ben is loved by all and as we walk the halls of the nursing home you can hear people saying “Hi Ben”.

The lady in this picture is so excited to see Ben each time we visit and she invited him up on her bed and I couldn’t resist taking this picture while he was making himself at home with her. I printed out a copy for her and she has it on her bulletin board above her bed.

Ben loves his job and puts his all in all into giving smiles to all he meets. When we get home he is totally worn out, but I know he would do it all over again in a moments notice. To me this is some of the most precious time I can spend with my best friend.

Ben and I were just at the nursing home this past Tuesday and I mentioned to the lady in the picture about this contest and asked her is she would mind if I used her picture and she was very excited to have me use her picture, in fact she was ready to take the one off her bulletin board for me to use.”

“Joy that Only a Golden Puppy Can Bring”
by Cindy Oates of Southlake, TX
Pictured in Photo: A 10-week-young Beecher

“Golden Kisses”
by Cindy Oates of Southlake, TX
Pictured in Photo: A 7-month-young Beecher

“My puppy Beecher is in training to become a therapy dog and has been since eight weeks of age. He is shown here with an elderly couple at their retirement home. His big brother, Emmitt, worked as a therapy dog for over seven years, sadly passing away in April 2004. Beecher is a very special puppy and is already following in Emmitt’s big paw prints.

Beecher was named after Matthew Williamson Beecher McCord of Lubbock, Texas (shown here), who was only 22 years old when he was tragically killed in a car accident in May 2001.  He had just graduated cum laude from Texas Tech University one week earlier with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Sadly, Matthew's Golden Retriever, Bear, also went to The Bridge not long after. Matthew had made it known to his family that if anything ever happened to him that he wanted to have his organs donated so that others could live. My husband Richard, suffering from Hepatitis C, had been on a transplant list for a year when he received Matthew’s liver. Near death at the time of the transplant, this generous act will add several years to his life that he would not have otherwise had. So, every day we have together is a bonus because of Matthew McCord.

Having said all of that, Beecher McCord has a special mission in life. Everyone wants to know where his name came from so we get to tell Matthew’s story and talk about organ donation whenever asked. Matthew’s mother’s greatest hope is that her son will never be forgotten and we want to help make that happen. What better way than to name our special puppy in honor of her special son and visit hospitals and nursing homes and tell his story.

Beecher seems to sense his mission in life and has the perfect temperament to continue on in Emmitt’s big paw prints and become a rock solid therapy dog. He will be certified as a therapy dog when he turns one year old on March 20, 2005. Thank you, Matthew, for giving us such a wonderful and meaningful mission in life.”

Matthew felt very strongly about organ donation. He actually donated a lung, his pancreas, his kidneys, his liver and his heart. For further information about the ability to donate life through organ donation, please click here. And, to learn more about this incredible tale, click here to read the news article, Young man's death gives another life.


 

“A Hard Day's Work”
by Kris Campesi of Manassas, VA
Pictured in Photo: A 3-year-young Buddy, April 2003

“Buddy began his therapy career last summer and really considers it hard work! Currently Buddy is visiting Snowden Psychiatric Hospital in Fredericksburg, Virginia and Learning Services Corporation of Manassas, Virginia. We visit various other facilities on an irregular basis but Snowden and Learning Services are our regulars. Learning Services is a facility for acquired head trauma victims. Buddy enjoys his one-on-one work with each one of the residents and is very sensitive to their moods and needs. Kim Ward, the resident pictured, enjoys brushing, walking, playing ball and just cuddling Buddy.”

“A Labor of TRUE LOVE”
by Lisa Poslock of Reading, PA
Pictured in Photo: An 18-year-young Boone
“Here is Pappy Boone (Date of Birth: January 27,1987) comforting Emily, a nursing home resident who is 101 yrs old!”

“Bob Smiling at a Friend”
by Cheryl Olvera of Fremont, CA
Pictured in Photo: A 6-year-young Bob Gates

“Bob Gates started visiting an assisted living facility a couple of months ago through the Ohlone Humane Society in Fremont, California. He sees many Alzheimer's patients who tell him what a nice boy he is. Bob makes sure to check in at the receptionist's desk to tell her hello and then steps in and does the rounds with the director and other staff.

He knows the way to the areas where the residents gather and pulls me down the hall to see his friends. He knows instinctively to be gentle with his friends. He even knows to not go up to the people who do not like dogs (which is not very many people).

He is happy when the people he is visiting smile at him — and of course happier when they pet him. Sometimes he gets so relaxed he'll plant himself and lay at the feet of whoever is petting him.

I always thought he would be good at visiting older people. Two of his best girlfriends that he sees at the lake where we walk every morning (Lake Elizabeth) have walkers. The first thing he does at the lake is drag me to a table where several retired people meet to say hello. The people all call out Bob — it reminds me of Norm! on Cheers.”