therapy dogs

Yorkshire Terrier & Fashion Icon Sophie, Gone Too Soon

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

Sophie brought so much love to her community. She was a local celebrity dog who did many fashion shows which were all done on a volunteer basis. LuAnn, Sophie’s Mom,  called me early this morning to let me know Sophie was put to sleep late Saturday afternoon from congestive heart failure. She was nine years old.

In her short time here on earth Sophie brought many smiles and much joy to so many.  She was also a therapy dog and visited Sharon S. Richardson Hospice twice a week for quite a few years. She had just retired from hospice work about a year ago and concentrated on her fashion shows which were always a huge hit.

As you can see by the photo above, Sophie also helped to raise money for a local cancer fund with a beautiful 2012 calendar of her in many of her stunning outfits, many of which were handmade by a friend of LuAnn’s.  She raised over $3,000 for the cancer fund.  The calendar will go on in memory of Sophie for 2013 and there will be local therapy dogs featured in the calendar next year. I’m honored and touched that Frankie will be one of the featured therapy dogs.

I recently wrote about the passing of Izzy, author Jon Katz’s dog who also did hospice therapy dog work. Jon’s book about their work together inspired me to start giving thought to doing hospice work also.  And it was LuAnn and Sophie who encouraged me to visit Sharon S. Richardson Hospice one day and visit with a woman whose husband had just passed away. Though I was initially nervous and scared to be around people who were dying, it was LuAnne and Sophie that guided me and Frankie on our first visit to hospice. It was a day I’ll never forget and it certainly was not our last– thanks to Sophie and LuAnn.

Dear little Sophie, so pretty always and oh so sweet, Frankie and I, as well as many others will miss you dearly. I can’t help but smile though, thinking of you doing fashion shows in heaven now. You’ll always be a star in our hearts.

 

Jack the Therapy Dog- It was Meant to Be

Posted by Barbara Techel

Erica Manning Photography 

My sister in law, Shelly sent me the above photo yesterday. I found it so touching. Hard for it not to touch the depths of your heart, right?  She told me her friend, Erica took the photo and it is of her dog Jack (Jackson) and his work as a therapy dog.  With the wonders of Facebook I was able to connect with Erica and ask permission to share her photo, as well as have her agree to share Jack’s story.  I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.  T hank you, Erica!

Jack’s story as told by Erica: 

My youngest daughter Sophie and I volunteer together at a local no-kill pet shelter.  She shares my love for both animals and giving back. 🙂  About a year and a half ago we were at this shelter cleaning puppy cages and re-stocking food bowls (with no intentions of finding a new puppy,mind you), and after keeping busy for over an hour we looked into a quiet cage that I previously thought was empty.  There I found a sweet black puppy – about 12 weeks old.  He didn’t make a sound, waited patiently for me to open the door and gave me a “hug” when I did.  I knew he was special.  We immediately started the adoption process.  Jackson was officially ours on President’s Day 2011.

We assume he is a Black Lab because he looks exactly like one, but he’s pretty small so he might be a mixed breed.  Either way we love him to pieces.

From day one Jack was VERY CALM for a Lab pup.  He had his crazy moments, but for the most part he was gentle and sweet.  I wanted to share that with others. When he was only about 6 months old I started the process of getting Jack certified as a “Canine Good Citizen.”  As expected he passed with flying colors.   About the same time a friend of mine, who works for a home health company, told me her company had been searching for a therapy dog to visit the assisted living facilities that they serviced.    It was meant to be!  Jack now visits three different assisted living facilities two times per month.  And he loves it.

At some of the facilities a group of residents gather in a common area and Jack goes from person to person, nudging their hand – encouraging them to rub on him.  If they have an empty chair next to them he has been known to climb up in it to be at eye level.  I know I don’t have to tell you how fulfilling it is to see how the simple act of petting a dog can bring joy to these residents’ lives.

Some of the residents have a hard time making it to the common area.  They either are not as mobile or too weak to spend much time out of their rooms.  Jack and I make “house calls” to these residents.  Jim is one of them.  Jim seems to be a cantankerous man when you first meet him.  But after a while both Jack and I realized that he has a keen, dry sense of humor and a warm heart.  This is most evident when he talks about his son, and his late wife.  He tears up every time.  He also loves Jack, and the feeling is mutual for sure.  Jack climbs into bed with Jim when he’s unable to get up, and would stay there for hours if permitted.  He also likes to “hold hands” with Jim – as seen in the photo.  He does that instead of “shake” – I think it soothes him to have his paw in someone’s hand.  I think it soothes Jim as well.  It’s awesome to watch the mutually beneficial relationship unfold.

I gave Jim a copy of the photo and to be perfectly honest – he didn’t like it.  He said his hand looked old!  The man is in his late 90s.  He has the mind of a wise 65 year old.  The heart of a child.

Our Recent Visit To Notre Dame Elementary School

Posted by Barbara Techel

 

Elementary students from Notre Dame School of De Pere were treated to a visit from author Barbara Techel, right, and her inspirational pet — Frankie, the Walk ‘n Roll Dog — on Jan. 19. / Submitted

Reprinted from the Green Bay Gazette:

Notre Dame School of De Pere

The elementary students were treated to a visit by Frankie, the Walk ‘n Roll Dog, on Thursday, Jan. 19. Frankie and her owner, author Barbara Techel, shared their touching story with the students.

When Frankie, a dachshund, suffered a spinal injury, Ms. Techel had her fitted with a custom wheelchair. Frankie persevered and now volunteers as a therapy dog at local hospitals and nursing homes, spreading joy and hope wherever they go.

Their message to the Notre Dame students was threefold: think positive, make a difference and keep on rolling.

Students were able to purchase books about Frankie and have them signed by both Barbara and Frankie — with her paw print. A portion of all book proceeds is donated to various disabled animal charities.