O Magazine Recommends Book Featuring Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

NEWS

For Immediate Release

 

O Magazine Recommends Book Featuring Wisconsin Disabled Dog

Frankie the Walk ’N Roll Dog, along with award-winning author mom, Barbara Techel are featured in new book, “Dogs and the Women Who Love Them” by Linda and Allen Anderson.

Elkhart Lake, WI – In their new book Minneapolis authors show why seven out of ten, or 69% of women between the ages of 18 and 49 own a pet, and 89% of women spend as much or more on their pets despite the recession (Lifetime Networks FemniNation poll).

Allen and Linda Anderson’s new book Dogs and the Women Who Love Them: Extraordinary True Stories of Loyalty, Healing and Inspiration. (New World Library) with a forward by #1 New Your Times best-selling author Rory Freedman, demonstrates how dogs and women transform each other’s lives. Each case study in the book involves canine companions bringing out the best in their humans and vice versa. According to Linda Anderson, “when the nurturing nature of females meets the loyalty and affection of dogs, it’s a match made in heaven.”

O Magazine recommended Dogs and the Women Who Love Them, and it’s on the Oprah.com website. Betty White, Wendy Malick, Vanessa Williams, and American Humane Association, among others endorsed the book.  In this collection of true stories, women around the country, dogs serve as companions, listeners, canine children, matchmakers, creatures to rescue, and protectors.

Local resident of Elkhart Lake, Barbara Techel entered a contest sponsored by the Anderson’s in September 2009 when they were looking for stories for their new book.  Barbara says, “I remember reading about the contest and becoming very emotional.  I just knew I had to enter the contest because my dogs have helped change and shape my life for the better.”  Barbara placed 2nd place and is so honored to be among the stories in the book.

 

Additional Highlights of the Book

  • Miguel, a Newfoundland-Labrador mix introduced an impoverished childe to Rosanne Nordstrom, a resourceful woman who became like a mother to him; their new family serves as Chicago’s version of the popular movie The Blind Side—plus a dog.
  • Beau, a rescued black Lab became a “co-founder” of Patriot PAWS, a Texas nonprofit that Lori Stevens started to train service dogs for disabled veterans; Beau was featured on NBC Nightly News, Late Night with David Letterman, and Animal Planet.
  • Major, an abused and neglected German shepherd, saved the life of national-award winning police dog trainer, Janet Koch Ballard while serving as her K-9 partner.
  • Dagnabit, a rescued pit bull was tortured while being trained for dogfights; his plight inspired Kim Dudek to found Dag’s house in New Orleans to rehabilitate and shelter special needs dogs.

Rory Freedman says, “This book will open your heart, warm your soul, and make you proud to be a dog-loving woman.”

Karen Holt, reviewer for O Magazine says about the book, “The rescuing works both ways… as canines who’ve suffered abuse, neglect, or misfortune seek and comfort humans who’ve endured the same.”

For more information about Linda and Allen visit website, www.angelanimals.net or https://www.dogsandthewomenwholovethem.com/index.html for information about Barbara Techel and Frankie visit, www.joyfulpaws.com

In Celebration of Pets Event

Posted by Barbara Techel


This is a great honor for me (and Frankie!) to have been asked to be keynote speaker for this fundraising event in memory of Rudy Zabel to support programs and organizations that promote the humane treatment of animals.

If you are in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin area and would like to attend, purchase your tickets early as there is limited seating.  You can visit Thrifty Fringe to purchase your tickets on line.

 

Press Release: Book Signing at LaDeDa Books & Beans, Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Posted by Barbara Techel

LaDeDa Books To Host Book Signing with Award-Winning Duo Barbara Techel and Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog

Barbara Techel and her 11-year-old wheelchair-bound dachshund to share their rewarding volunteer therapy dog work through newest book in the series, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Visits Libby’s House.

LaDeDa Books & Beans is sponsoring a book signing with the award-winning duo to be held on Saturday, October 9th at 10:30am at 1624 York Avenue, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Before the book signing, Barbara will give a brief talk, selected reading and answer questions.  And most importantly, Frankie will be there and promised to bring you smiles and joy by being in her loving presence.

We all face challenges in life, but dealing them is much easier when there’s support and understanding from significant others—even animals. Frankie is a dachshund who is paralyzed in her hind quarters as a result of an injury. But, she does not allow her physical challenges to limit her purpose or her gift of healing to others. Custom-fitted for a doggie wheelchair (dog cart), Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog uses her disability to bring a message of hope and encouragement to young and old.

Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House is a true story told from a therapy dog’s viewpoint. This, the second book in the series, tells how Frankie became a registered therapy dog and gives several personal accounts of her visits to the residents of Libby’s House, a senior facility where many residents have Alzheimer’s or dementia www.libbyshouse.com.

Frankie’s human mom and the book’s author, Barbara Techel, hoped for years to have a therapy dog and share the love that only a dog can bring. She wanted the dog to visit people who may not have animal contact on a regular basis.

“When Frankie was fitted for a doggie wheelchair, I wrote the first book and started taking her to local schools to entertain children,” says Barbara. “I realized Frankie would make a great therapy dog for adults as well as children. The fact that she is in a wheelchair makes her a bit more unique as she helps people in nursing homes, hospitals, and hospice identify on a deeper level. She has a challenge like many of them.”

Visiting Libby’s House once a month opened Barbara’s heart and eyes to realizing that people may not always understand what the elderly are going through, and all they want is someone to listen and spend time with them.

“I especially want children to not fear seniors who face the challenges brought on by aging,” says Ms. Techel. “I hope to encourage children to spend and cherish time with their own grandparents. I hope children will realize the beauty and wisdom in the elderly.”

“All one needs to do is see the expression in the eyes of those Frankie touches to know she is tangible love,” says Christine Thill, owner and RN administrator of Libby’s House where Frankie volunteers. “When the body fails, the spirit soars! Frankie’s visits along with Barb’s gentle nature are a true blessing to Libby’s House.”

Because she is bringing positive awareness to animals with disabilities through her therapy dog work, Frankie was inducted into the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame as Companion Dog in 2009. This little dog teaches us that patience, listening, and understanding opens our hearts to what matters most—love.

Through Frankie’s example, Barbara hopes to encourage anyone facing a challenge.

Having a disability does not mean we don’t have gifts to offer. Each of us can give back to the world in our own, unique way. Frankie’s volunteer work is a great way to prompt others to get involved in their own communities and find a way to be of service. Barbara says the rewards are beyond anything she could have ever imagined.

Even though she and Frankie visit Libby’s House once a month, Barbara still enjoys sharing with children the messages in her books. In fact, she has found a new way to share Frankie’s story via Skype an Author Network whose mission is to provide K-12 teachers and librarians with a way to connect authors, books, and young readers through virtual classroom visits. See www.tinyurl.com/SkypeBarbara to learn more.

Children are invited to follow Frankie, The Walk ‘N Roll Dog’s adventures on Frankie’s Blog: www.frankiethewalknrolldog.blogspot.com/. Adults will find more information about caring for special needs animals on Barbara’s blog at www.joyfulpaws.typepad.com.

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