seniors

Frankie easily Makes Friends with Libby’s House Residents

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

“Janet” who does “not like dogs” poses for a picture with Frankie.
Read more below how Frankie wormed her way into Janet’s heart.

 

Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House is based on seniors Frankie and I have met, and have come to know at Libby’s House, where most of the residents have Alzheimer’s or dementia.  There are many times some of them talk in circles, such as Emma, a friend in our book.  But she always has the time of her life telling us her stories, that we can’t help but listen.  Maybe it sounds odd, but for me, it seems to be the calmest and least stressful hour of my month when Frankie and I visit with our friends at Libby’s House.

Janet (pictured above and not her real name) is a character in my book.  And I mean character!  She cracks me up all the time.  When I first met her I learned a valuable lesson; Don’t take anything she says personally.  The first time I met her, she looked down and saw Frankie, and gruffly said, “I don’t like dogs! And I don’t like cats or fish either.  I flushed my fish down the toilet.”  She actually has a fear of dogs because she was bit by several of them when she was young.

Over time I slowly approached her with Frankie.  One day she reached out and pet Frankie… and squealed with delight!  We made a break through!  She grinned from ear to ear.  Ever since then she shares things with me about her life.  She can be oh so tough on the outside, but on the inside she is a real sweetheart.  I’ve really come to enjoy spending time with her. And she will giggle and giggle when Frankie licks her arm.  I don’t know if she still does not like cats or fish, but I do know she has taken a liking to little Frankie.

Reviews for “Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Thearpy Dog Visits Libby’s House” are Coming In

Posted by Barbara Techel

As our book Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House makes it out into the world I am always thrilled to see positive and uplifting reviews come in.  Below is a 5-star review we just received.  For more reviews you can check them out at Amazon.  If you have read our newest book and wish to submit a review, we would love and appreciate it very much!  It is quite easy to do.

I would like to take this opportunity to also let you know that to do our part in helping during this tough economy we have reduced shipping costs, as well as offer special book bundle pricing for the Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog Book Series.  We also now offfer bulk discounts too, so please contact us if that is something you are interested in.

This review comes from Yvonne Perry, author of The Sid Series

Appreciate the elderly and disabled

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.

Announcing Release of Second Book in Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog Book Series!

Posted by Barbara Techel

 Author Releases Second Book to Inspire Children and Seniors Who Have Special Needs or Disabilities

Author Barbara Techel and her 10-year-old daschund announce the release of their second book, Frankie The Walk ‘N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby’s House.

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 Housewhere 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 awarded the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame Companion and is the official mascot for National Disabled Pets Day. 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

http://tinyurl.com/SkypeBarbara to learn more.

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

You can order your copy today at our website or Amazon!

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Contact: Barbara Techel

Phone: 920-377-1749

E-mail: barbtechel (at) verizon.net

Web site: http://www.joyfulpaws.com/