Therapy Dogs International News

Stories of a TDIAOV Dog

2011-08-11T06:38:00.000-07:00

By Anne C.

“Chase is my fifth Flat-Coat and my fifth therapy dog. I know most owners feel their dogs are special, but I have a story or two of Chase’s work, particularly at Western Mass. Hospital (a long-term care facility, not a regular convalescent hospital), that you might like:

On his very first visit there, once his TDI membership was official, Chase met an older woman and fell for her at first sight. And so did she with him. He dove onto her bed and kissed her, and she was delighted! And every visit since, she can’t wait for him to jump up and give her kisses.

I knew how much he loved “his” patients, but one day some months later, even I was surprised. We saw a new patient for the first time, a young woman who (I was later told) was scared of her new surroundings. She was in a reclining wheelchair, with fists clenched and legs and arms moving as if to kick or strike anything that came near--- and the staff were leaving her plenty of room. Then she saw Chase, who only saw a human who could use some love. In one second, she was a different person- relaxed, and absolutely delighted when he walked up to her and started planting kisses. We see her on most of our visits now, and she is always calm around Chase. This has to be pet therapy at its very best.”

Mentions In The Press

2011-08-10T11:24:00.000-07:00

Lately our Therapy Dogs and their Handlers have been getting a lot of press around the country. From the heartland to the coast, several dog/handler teams have been recognized in their local newspapers and magazines.

TDI dog Smokey and his handler Richie Czark of North Carolina were recently the subjects of an interesting article in the Hilton Head Monthly Magazine entitled “The dog’s not staying.” The article profiles Smokey’s journey with the Czark family, from his rescue to his dedicated work as a TDI therapy dog.

Another Dog/Handler team in the news this week is TDI Dog Abby and her Handler Greg Jones, who were featured in a local Indiana Newspaper called, The Republic. The front page article highlights a few of her visits to a local hospital and the powerful effect she has had on both patients and staff alike. This article called “Canine Comfort” includes several photos as well, showing Abby in her TDI regalia.

We are glad to see this positive press regarding our organization’s members and TDI would like to thank all TDI Dog/Handlers for their continued service and therapy work.

To view the mentioned articles visit:

http://www.hiltonheadmonthly.com/ (See digital version---Page 60)

http://www.therepublic.com/view/local_story/Canine_comfort_1312863267/ (Partial Story)

Handler Reflects on Doing Therapy Work for the First Time: "A Hero for $65.00"

2011-07-29T11:37:00.000-07:00

By Becky M.

"Three years ago tomorrow I walked into a cold, metal barn and saw what would later change my life – or maybe it changed my life the minute I walked in the barn. I would walk around haystacks and look into wire crates and see the empty eyes of dogs I only thought existed.

I would make my way to a dog labeled #171. He was filthy and matted and when I looked at him, something in my heart opened up.

A gentle spark took me by surprise and instantly I felt a desire to take this dog, among the hundreds of others, home with me.

I remember opening the cage door and touching him. My heart racing both in anticipation and pure fright. I didn’t know what I was doing here, I didn’t know if I could open the cage doors and pet the animals, I didn’t know anything that day – but I knew that I had to reach out to this dog.

#171 didn’t move when I brushed my hand on his head but as I took it away – he licked my finger and if there was any question about rescuing this dog – it was answered in just one lick.

Three miserable hours later, I walked out with #171 – whom I named half way through the auction. He cost me $65.00.

There was no conceivable reason for what I did – common sense had no place in what happened. I just acted on a feeling I don’t think I will ever have again.

Yesterday, Thorp walked into a local school and touched the lives of children who are challenged – emotionally. They each come with special needs and have a difficult time fitting into mainstream education.

They had been anticipating Thorp’s arrival for a week.

Thorp and I went and sat on the carpet area and the kids were invited two at a time to come and pet him. We introduced ourselves (no one really cared that I was there) and the kids all told Thorp their names and their grades.

They wanted to touch him, to hold him for he was their reward for the day – he was their motivation for being well-behaved. Yesterday, Thorp was their hero.

One boy in particular held onto Thorp’s face firmly but gently and didn’t want to let go. He looked right into Thorp’s eyes and the moment took my breath away.

Here, a little boy, who is challenged in many ways, made this inspiring connection with a dog once only known as a number. A dog who could be bought for $65.00 and yet a dog who has the potential to change a little boy’s life.

They took a picture of Thorp and the boy and it hangs over his coat hook as his motivator for good behavior. All he desires is to be with Thorp and he only met him once.

The other kids all enjoyed Thorp and I know that they will come to love him and to look forward to spending every Tuesday with him – but the connection the little boy has with Thorp is a once in a lifetime. I know because it is the same connection I made with him three years ago.

Everyone who meets Thorp, young and old, feels something special about him. He has an understated compassion and a desire to be loved that is indescribable.

I didn’t know that day I rescued him that he would be a therapy dog, I only knew that he was something special – he would have a story to tell – a purpose bigger than I could understand.

And here he is, years later, sitting on the floor of my local school – impacting the lives of children for the better – a hero for $65.00."

TDI Dog Ranger Becomes a Tail Waggin' Tutor

2011-07-28T13:47:00.000-07:00

TDI recoginizes Ranger and his Handler Annemarie for achieving this milestone as a Therapy Dog/Handler Team! We celebrate Ranger's success despite several recent health issues that he has successfuly managed to overcome. This Dog/Handler team now holds two distinctions of TDIEVA and now TWT.

TDI™ Announces Disaster Stress Relief Dog (DSRD) Tests

2011-07-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

Therapy Dogs International (TDI™) has announced the following dates and locations for upcoming DSRD testing:

Illinois- October 8 & 9^th, 2011

Arizona- November 5 & 6^th, 2011

The DSRD test is open to TDI dogs that have been active with the organization for at least one year. For more information about upcoming tests please contact TDI™ at: tdi@gti.net

TDI Dog TItan –Helps Unite Lost Dog And Owner

2011-07-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

By: Richard R.

"A few nights ago, our dog Titan who recently registered with TDI, alerted us to a dog who had been lost in a storm and was taking refuge on our porch in the middle of the night. While asleep during a particularly fierce thunderstorm, Titan heard something and alerted my wife to wake up. When she awoke, she found an elderly shepherd mix with collar and tags scared and soaked on our downstairs front porch. After some effort, my wife was able to befriend the dog, inspect his collar and tags which thankfully had the dog’s name and phone number. The call to the owner at 4 a.m. was met with a tremendous amount of relief on the owner’s part. He’d been out searching for the dog during the storm. The owner drove to our home in the middle of the night and was greeted by her dog Levi with a two legged hug and lick. His shivers became wags and he gladly jumped in the back of the family car for the ride home.

Had Titan not alerted us, we may have never had the chance to reunite the lost dog with its family."

Welcome to our New Page!

2011-07-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

Therapy Dogs International (TDI) is proud to announce the beginning of our online blog and news feed. This page is intended to be a resource for TDI members, providing up to date information regarding our organization's initiatives and events. As part of our efforts to become more accessible on the web, this blog is also connected with our new facebook and linked in profiles. This will allow members to efortlessly switch between sites as a means of staying connected to the most current events of our organization. TDI invites members to visit often and share our pages with interested friends and family. Feel free to "like" our facebook page and request an invitation to our linked in group. Thank you for your continued support of TDI!