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Born 9/8/96 - Bred by Joanne D. Opel
1997- CGC, TDI
1998 - Delta Pet Partner ®
1999 - Delta Society Beyond LimitsTM
Award
2001 - Hackensack University Medical Center,
"Adult Volunteer Group Service Award"
2004 - NJ Veterinary Medical Association
"Therapy Dog Of The Year" Award
2004 - Senate of the State Of New Jersey - Citation for
Outstanding Pet Therapy Work
2004 - American Kennel Club - Award For Canine Excellence (ACE)
- Pet Therapy - Honorable Mention 2006 -
CKCSC, USA Inc. Lifetime Achievement Title - "Cavalier Therapy
Companion", CTC
He is the first dog to be awarded this title by the CKCSC |
http://www.njvma.org/hall/videos/2004/2004%20Therapy.mov
PET THERAPY – WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT ISN’T
We at Evanlake Cavaliers have been involved with Pet
Therapy for almost ten years. Much has changed in that timeframe and a lot
is still the same. Pet Therapy is now and probably could have always been
described as "providing comfort and motivation" to humans. Cavaliers are
considered "Comforter Spaniels" and thereby perfectly suited for this work.
They have friendly, outgoing personalities and are calm and gentle with even
the sickest of patients. They are small and suitable for almost any
environment.
Pet Therapy is NOT a title. It is active volunteer work,
which you and your dog perform as a team, usually on a regularly scheduled
basis. In the early years, little training was needed and there were only a
handful of organizations, which "certified" dogs. Now it is not uncommon to
have training facilities, hospitals, 4-H and many other organizations
certifying their own Therapy Dogs, in addition to the nationally recognized
entities. We have wonderful opportunities to visit venues never before
available to us, like Pediatric Oncology Units of large Metropolitan
Hospitals, Surgical and Cardiac Units, Hospice’s, Rehabilitation Centers,
Public Schools, Prisons, Libraries and of course Nursing Homes and Assisted
living Facilities. I have always said we are only limited by our
imaginations as to where we can be helpful.
Five of the Six Evanlake Therapy Dogs.
CARE®
Canine Assisted Resources In Education
CARE was founded in May of 2002 by myself and a
talented teacher of Special Education, Jacki Lash Idler. I had the
therapy experience and she had the insight to see the need in a
special education setting. Our Pilot Program was conducted in a
summer Preschool Disability Program in Knowlton, NJ. We were able to
see the amazing adaptability of the dogs and the magical reactions
of the children. We knew our program would be a success.
By the end of the second year, we had 6 teams
visiting 10 different classrooms in 6 schools including the Warren
County Special Services School District. Our program has expanded to
work with all ages and all special needs. It is especially rewarding
to see the dogs enjoy the visits as much as the children and we know
we are very blessed to witness the small miracles that happen at
almost every visit. For more information, or if you’d like to join
our program, go the “Contacts” page and
send a note. We’d love to hear from you.
Ridge Oak Senior Community in Basking Ridge, NJ.
The resident "Florence" was feeling particularly despondent when she
came into the office one afternoon. She was teary and complained of
feeling confused. Luisa made a running leap to sit on Florence's lap
(Luisa does not normally do that) and shocked Florence into smiles and
giggles. It was if Luisa sensed Florence needed a lift.
Mother and daughter - Therapy dogs, Fiera (Ruby) daughter
and Miranda (B&T - mother).
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