Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Reviews

Frankie the Walk ‘n Roll Dog is a softcover picturebook based on the true-life story of the author’s dog Frankie, a dachshund whose spinal injury paralyzed her lower body but not her spirit. Frankie was custom fit for a wheelchair, and learned to keep on rolling and make the most of life. “In order to get me to try out my new wheels, Mom coaxes me with doggie biscuits. Inch by inch, I move forward. Pretty soon, I am walking around the block and don’t even notice the wheels behind me. As we walk by Travis, the neighbor boy, he yells, ‘Hey, look! That dog has tires!’ I hold my head high and roll along with pride.” Illustrated with dramatically shaded color artwork, Frankie the Walk ‘n Roll Dog is a heartwarming and uplifting picturebook conveying a positive-minded message about making the most of life despite disabilities. ~Midwest Book Reviews

It is refreshing to read a children’s story that address topics such as life acceptance and determination. There are so many children in this world who become inspired by other’s stories, and it is just brilliant to write from an animal’s point of view, due to the bond a child understands with animals. Frankie’s story is not only inspirational, but it is real. Children want to read about “real” just as much as make believe, and that is why this book touches hearts. This story is also great for all ages as it reaches us on an inner level. Compassion, empathy, joy, sorrow … these emotions will be a constant in our lives. It is a relief to know, that for those who may experience a hardship in life, if they read Frrankie’s story as a child, maybe their own hope will be strengthened. ~Melissa M. Williams Author of Iggy the Iguana

This is a true, inspirational story about a dachshund whose life changed forever when she ruptured a disk in her lower back and became paralyzed in her hind legs. After three months of physical therapy and acupuncture, it was determined that she would not walk again, and she was custom fitted for a dog cart, which is the canine version of a wheelchair. It doesn’t take long for Frankie to adjust to her new wheels and she continues to joyfully roll through life.
This heartwarming and moving story is told from Frankie’s point of view. While written for children, it’s a story that will appeal to animal lovers of all ages. Along with beautiful illustrations, the book shows us, through the example of this high-spirited little dog, that it is possible to overcome any challenge and reclaim a joy for life despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and found myself very moved. The combination of the author’s beautiful words and the wonderful illustations pack quite an emotional punch!  ~Ingrid King, Author of Buckley’s Story

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Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House Reviews

When I think of all the animals that are destroyed because they have a disability, it saddens me–especially when I see the good that comes from using a disability to help others. That’s the case with Frankie, the Walk `N Roll Therapy Dog. In Barbara Techel’s new book, she tells how she and Frankie became a therapy team and the joy that visiting Libby’s House brings to them and the residents. Libby’s House is a senior facility where residents have Alzheimer’s, dementia, or some physical challenge from aging.
Beautiful illustrations by Victoria Kay Lieffring enhance the telling of this story. Any child or adult will enjoy seeing Frankie perched in various places like the kitchen sink, her doggie car seat (where she serves as co-pilot), the teacher’s desk, Daniel’s lap, the dining room table (ready to help blow out the candles on 100-year-old Martha’s birthday cake), and on the sofa or beside the wheelchair of an elderly resident. Each month, the folks at Libby’s House eagerly await the arrival of Barbara and Frankie ready to pet the pooch who is paralyzed in her hind quarters.
I love the way Frankie tells her own story in a play-by-play narrative. You may forget that Frankie is not a human. She sure knows how to relate to people, and she’s a really polite listener even when Edith tells about Schutzie, yet again! The lighthearted humor in this book will help children and adults understand that the elderly have a lot to offer younger generations–even when they are reminiscing and don’t know what day it is!
This book provides an endearing glance to help us better appreciate the preciousness in all of life’s stages. Highly recommended for family reading and classroom education. ~Yvonne Perry, Editor and Owner of Writers in the Sky

Barb Techel writes and blogs and gives speaking presentations about her dear little dachsie, Frankie, the Walk ‘n Roll Dog. Well, Barb’s gone and done it again, folks! Her new book is titled Frankie the Walk ‘n Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House.
The story is appropriate, entertaining and educational for all ages. It’s difficult to communicate how lavishly it’s illustrated with unique and charming renderings from Victoria Kay Lieffring. These pictures capture in stylized detail the range of emotions Barb writes about as the residents of Libby’s Place discover, enjoy and finally, love Frankie.
The one of Daniel staring into the eyes of a rapt Frankie on page 30 is just perfect: sweet and the absolute embodiment of a clear conduit of bonding between members of separate species who nevertheless have discovered that matchless common ground of shared experience. And that’s what this touching book is about, that which makes us all fellow travelers on this earthly plane: our shared vulnerability, and the reality that when all else is stripped away, all we have is each other and the comfort we can humbly share.
I challenge anyone to read this book and come away with dry eyes and without a smile of recognition. And it’s that juxtaposition of the sometimes difficult realities of life with the always hopeful knowledge that each of us brings something of value to the world that we can share with each other that makes this little story something that will stay with you long after you’ve closed the cover.
I urge you to get a copy of Frankie Visits Libby’s House for yourself, and consider it as a rich but affordable gift for those you care about. Kids will understand the straightforward lesson that therapy animals can reach older folks whose worlds may have contracted from their previous horizons. Teens and young adults will see a potential opportunity for public and personal service beyond their daily worlds. Adults will appreciate the many subtle messages of hope and inspiration.
There’s no one who can’t find an important and hopeful message in this true story, handled with such respect and grace by Barb Techel. Personally, I found it the perfect antidote to the insincerity and cynicism of so much of today’s mainstream “entertainment” in the form of so-called “reality shows.”
Refreshingly, “Libby’s House” shows us a world where people still care for each other and try to soothe hurts instead of exploiting them; where humans can count among their proudest moments those they spend reaching out with love to creatures of other species; and where we can all recognize that those gifts can and do come full circle back to us from small, brown doggies on wheels, with big, floppy velvet ears and eyes that glow with the deepest understanding and concern for every living thing. ~Mary Shafer, Author of Almost Perfect: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll dog is back with a new book. And, in fact, with a new title. She is now Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy dog, and she narrates her experiences volunteering at Libby’s House, a community-based senior residential facility near her home in Wisconsin.
Frankie had been visiting schools to teach children about dogs with disabilities since shortly after the accident that put her in a wheelchair, so she was used to acting as ambassador and used to being the center of attention (which is, of course, what almost all dachshunds demand to be.) But it took the teacher of one of the classes that she visited to get Frankie’s mom, Barb, interested in moving Frankie into the world of therapy visits.
As you would guess, not every dog gets to just waltz into therapy work. There are tests to be passed. Frankie proved that she could be obedient on leash, that she would be okay with strangers petting her all over and that she would not be aggressive with other dogs she might encounter. And as a final test, she had to go to a nursing home and prove that she was all right be around people-sized wheelchairs. She passed all the tests with flying colors, and now she visits Libby’s House once a week.
Frankie’s made a lot of friends at Libby’s House and brought a lot of encouragement to those who see that she hasn’t let her disability slow her down.
Making friends at a senior facility carries its own risks, because those friends are more than usually likely to be taken from you. And Frankie lost one of her good friends at Libby’s. But his last days were brighter than if she had never visited.
Frankie continues to amaze me. No, that’s not true. With everything she’s done since her accident, nothing she does from here on out will amaze me. ~Jermone Stemnock, Editor of Dachshund Delights Newsletter

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Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Coloring and Paper Doll Activity Book Reviews

Frankie the Walk ‘n Roll Dog A PAWSitive Coloring and Paper Doll Activity Book definitely is a pawsitive book for children. I give it “four paws up” which is the most you can get in the doggie world, right? It is based on the Frankie the Walk ‘n Roll Dog book by the same author, Barbara Techel. Children get much more than coloring fun, they get to read Frankie’s story and see some color photographs, too. At the end of the book, Frankie “comes alive” via a paper doll.
Frankie’s story is one of overcoming, being positive, making a difference, and motivating others to “keep on rolling!” Coloring the pages, pulls kids in and helps them to make the book “their own,” in more ways than one. For anyone familiar with Frankie and Barbara, you know what fun they have wearing various outfits–sometimes even matching ones! (Be sure to check out the website.) The paper doll with more than a dozen outfits will provide hours of imaginary play.
What a great addition this makes to the Frankie series. Keep on rolling, Frankie! ~Joyce M. Gilmour, Editor at TLC Editing

I’ve been in love with Frankie the walk ‘n roll dog ever since I met the adorable dachshund on her blog. She’s the epitome of the little dog who can! Frankie suffered from a spinal injury and was custom-fitted for a special wheelchair. Her mom, Barbara Techel, has a passion for bringing a positive face and voice to animals with disabilities.
This new coloring book is full of big beautiful, bold illustrations to color, along with the story of Frankie and her PAWsitive attitude. Some of the pages contain photographs of Frankie, with frames and backgrounds to color. In addition, there is an adorable Frankie paper doll–uh, paper dog, with sweaters, hats and bandannas!
This book is a perfect gift for any child. While they are coloring and playing, they will be learning a valuable lesson about capabilities, lessons that they can apply to both animals and people. ~Peggy Frezon, Author of Dieting with my Dog

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