THE PRESENT, THE FUTURE, and REALITY

Presently, Casey,(the therapy dog) is doing nine jobs on a weekly basis.  She does one job on a monthly basis and one job on a "will call" basis.  Realistically, she'll be working 1-2 more years.  The good news is that I already have "a line" on two dogs that could work as therapy dogs after Casey retires.  One of the dogs, although he has never done therapy dog work, is already a licensed therapy dog.  We also know each other as I took care of him when he was a puppy and a young dog.  The other dog is still a puppy and will need training, but his owners and I know each other and they are enthusiastic about his being a therapy dog.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Today, 12/11/11, I started inserting photos into the blog.  These photos, in addition to my writing, and the documentation that will be inserted in the future, provide an insight into the services provided by The Therapy Dog, Inc.

CORPORATE STATUS and FUNDING

The Therapy Dog is now The Therapy Dog, Inc.  The State of New York  Department of State has issued a Certificate of  Incorporation of The Therapy Dog,Inc.
YAHOO!-In an earlier post, I had stated that this blog would include a DONATE button.  Thanks to the tireless efforts of my brother-in-law, Kris, that's now a reality.  Kris literally spent hours with me in long distance phone contact, trying to lead yours truly through this process.  Finally, when I still couldn't get it and we were both in danger of dying of old age, Kris, without my valuable "assistance," created the DONATE button.  Thanks Kris!

FUNDING

During the almost 5 years that I have done "therapy dog work," I've found that  over 90% of the time no reimbursement is paid for mileage.  In fact, there has been only one instance of mileage reimbursement.  The Town of Ballston provides a mileage reinbursement for our work at the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Community Library.

The spiraling cost of gasoline has had a negative impact on our provision of services.  The creation of a blog and the formation of a corporation has been my response.

The blog will include a DONATE button.  Through Paypal, individuals will be able to make a contribution to The Therapy Dog, Inc.  Once the IRS processes my application for 501c3 status, contributions will be tax deductible.

2011-REFINEMENTS, A NEW EXPERIENCE, BITING OFF MORE THAN I COULD CHEW

You will note in the title of this posting that it states "Biting off more than I could chew."  You'll recall that in a previous posting I had stated that Casey and I had become so busy at Maplewood Manor that it was necessary to start going there 2 days per week.  Unfortunately, whereas Casey did not appear to be negatively impacted by this addional work, I was not able to hold up my end.  We were already working at Wesley Nursing Home and The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Community Library on Wednesday afternoons and it turned out that a third job was beyond me.  In January, after speaking with the Activities Director, we went back to our weekly Friday visit.
                                                           
In the spring of 2011, I started attending NEXT STEP in Ballston Spa on Thursdays.  NEXT STEP is a day program that provides services to people with traumatic brain injuries.  While there, I noticed that several of the clients were severely cognitively impaired and wondered if they would benefit from contact with a therapy dog.  I introduced Casey to the execitive director and she was very receptive to the idea of bringing Casey in.  Casey and I started going to NEXT STEP the very next week, and Tuesday visits(12pm-1pm) are now part of our regular agenda.  At this point I can't comment on our success; suffice it to say that Casey has finally "broken through" to a woman who was terrified of dogs.

2010-GOING FULL-BORE

You may wonder about the title of this posting.  Although this posting primarily deals with 2010, I'm attaching a copy of Casey's schedule from December 2009.  As you can see, she was doing 11jobs per 5 day week.  Hence the title,"Going Full-Bore."





Casey and some children at the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Community Library. July, 2010

In 2010 Casey(and me, too) had her initial experience working at a public library.  Children would either bring a book from home or get one from the library.  At the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Community Library, the librarian and I often took turns reading with the children.  The active involvement of the librarian and I, coupled with Casey's(non-judgmental) talents, not only made a healthy and receptive reading environment for the child, but also had a positive effect on the child's self-esteem and self-confidence.

During this period we also were working at the Malta branch of the Round Lake Library.  The vast majority of the children were"pre-schoolers."  Although not yet of reading age, being able to touch and pet a "big" dog, with mom or dad present, has a positive influence.



In March we started working at Saratoga Bridges.  Formerly, Saratoga Bridges was known as Saratoga ARC.  They have several facilities in Saratoga County.  Casey and I worked at the day programs in Malta and Clifton Park.  The residents always looked forward to Casey's weekly visits and she developed favorites at both locations.  In fact, at the Clifton Park location, a gentleman would come to visit his daughter and Casey developed an immediate bond with him.  I jokingly had to tell him to be sure that he came after Casey met with the residents. 

                                                                      


 

                                                                      













 







Unfortunately, shortly after we began working at Wesley Nursing Home, a quarantine was instituted.  Our assignment had been the 3rd and 4th floors.  During the quarantine we were not able to visit the residents.  Finally, in March, 2010, the quaratine was lifted and Casey and I were able to resume our Wednesday afternoon visits.

In July of 2010, the Saratoga Springs City School District had their summer school at the Dorothy Nolan Elementary School.  The school had a unique feature that was much appreciated by Casey and I.  Our class always met in the music room and the room was AIR CONDITIONED.  I've included some photos that were taken by the teachers at the school.  Casey and I were seeing groups of 10 or 12 students now!

  

 

 





Theresa(Maplewood Manor office worker) and Casey 2010

















 







 









 



 



 





























 















 



















 





 











2009-EXPANSION




 



 The summer of 2008 ended, our work continued at Maplewood Manor and Loudonville Christian School, but we could do more.  We had the time and the desire.  I contacted the former superintendent of the Saratoga Springs school district(in the late 90's I had taken care of his pets on several occasions) and he was of great assistance.

In January of 2009 we started work in the school library at Division Street Elementary School in the Saratoga Springs City School District.  Three or four groups of children would come to the library and take turns reading to Casey.  In a short time(in fact, the very next month), Casey started working in the special education class at Division Street.  The children either brushed her or read to her.

In the early spring of 2009 Casey began "doing her thing" in the special education class at the Milton Terrace Elementary School in Ballston Spa.  This was one of our favorite jobs and whether we were entering or leaving the school building, children always petted or hugged Casey.

The school year was over in June, but Casey was again at the summer school in Ballston Spa.  We were now providing a variety of services at several locations.  Word was getting around.  I was contacted by the teacher that taught the special education class at the Ballston Spa Middle School.  Casey's work at the Milton Terrace Elementary School had come to her attention and she wanted to be sure that Casey would be available for her class in the fall.

Casey did start working in the special education class at the Ballston Spa Middle School when the school year began in September.  In addition to being read to, petted and brushed, Casey displayed another talent.  We had been going to the special education class for about 2 months on a weekly basis.  Casey and I showed up for our weekly visit and after a few minutes the teacher in charge asked if I could bring Casey to the "recreation" room(that's what I call it.  It's a room that contains apparatus that the students can play on).  I quizzically asked the teacher why she wanted me to bring Casey to the rec room.  She related that one of her students, who was largely non-verbal, refused to get off the apparatus and return to the classroom.  Maybe Casey could get a response where people could not.  You know the rest of the story.  As soon as Casey walked in the room, the child got off the apparatus and went back to his room.  I remember saying to the teacher "But she didn't even do anything!"

Tom and Helene with Casey at Maplewood Manor 2009





  

Gordon and Casey, Maplewood Manor 2009






 




 



 



  




     

LINKS

http://www.localpetsitters.com/

http://www.maltavet.com/

www.facebook.com/MaltaSunriseRotaryClub

http://www.rotary.org/

http://www.albanyepiscopaldiocese.org/

http://www.krisdenton.com/

2008- PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

During 2008 Casey and I contined to visit Loudonville Christian School and Maplewood Manor Nursing Home.  In fact, it became so busy at the nursing home that we had to start going there 2 days a week.  When we were going 1 day a week, I found that I didn't have the time or the energy to see all the residents.  Maplewood Manor is a 3 story facility and although Casey was unaffected, I was spent after the first floor.  Expansion to 2 days per week allowed  us to visit the residents on the 2nd and 3rd floors.

In the late fall of 2007 I met with the superintendent of schools for the Ballston Spa Central Schools.  I had an "in" with a fellow rotarian who happened to be a member of the school board with many years tenure.  The superintendent was very enthusiastic, but my "in" told me to be patient.  A couple of months went by(we were now into 2008) and I had heard nothing.  I thought I was being patient, but again, my fellow rotarian, when queried, told me to be patient.  Finally, in April, we started work at the Malta Avenue Intermediate School.

In May we had our initial experience working with special education students.  We worked at the Chango Elementary School in the Shenendehowa School District.  Again, we were able to make use of an "in."  A former rotarian and retired principal at Chango, paved the way for us.  Work with special education classes has become a major part of our services.

Unfortunately, the school year was coming to a close.  However, the Ballston Spa School District ran a summer school program during the month of July called "SummerStars."  I guess that pet therapy, especially chidren reading to dogs, was a concept that was unfamiliar to many.  I say this based on our first visit to "Summer Stars."  Casey and I went to the gymnasium where we were supposed to meet a group of children who would read to Casey.  I can still recall the teacher inquiring as to whether I would lecture to the children and tell them all about Casey and therapy dogs?  I explained that actually I would do very little and the chidren would do most of the "work."  That is, they would read to Casey, brush her(I always bring 3 brushes with me), and pet her.











    




  

Casey at Maplewood Manor 2008 



                                                             

2007-WE GET OUR FEET WET

The rookies(Casey and I) took on their first jobs.  We started work at the Loudonville Christian School, on a weekly basis.  The work we were doing there was fairly new at that time.  Basically, the children, mostly K-3, read to Casey.  It is verifiable that a child will "open up" and feel more relaxed reading to a dog; whereas, the child may feel somewhat intimidated reading to an adult.  The reading teacher incorporated us into her teaching plan and allowed us to participate in the teaching process.  We are still working there and it has become my favorite job.

The other job that Casey and I had was more"traditional."  That is, we visited patients at the Maplewood Manor Nursing Home.  Maplewood Manor is a Saratoga County facility.  In addition to visiting patients in their rooms, Casey developed a group of "regulars" that we spent extra time with on our weekly visits.  A benefit for me here, and I'm sure this was part of God's plan, was that Casey allowed me to relax.  I was no longer hesitant or intimidated in praying for people.  If a resident responded affirmatively to my asking if they would like me to pray for them, I would do so.  Only very rarely would I receive a "no" response when I asked if I could pray for someone.  In fact, rather than a simple "yes," the response was sometimes "definitely," "certainly," or "Of course!"

OUR PHILOSOPHY

We are in business to serve others, we know that as we serve we succeed.  We recognize the truth that our ability to serve is our reason for being in business.  We strive to widen and improve our capacity to serve.

God is the silent, senior partner in this business.  We acknowledge God's wisdom and God's power.  We do all that we can to conduct this business along lines God approves.

The guiding principles behind every decision we make, every transaction, every plan for the future, are the principles of love and service taught by Jesus Christ.

In consciously using Christian principles, we accert God's guidance and claim God's promise to prosper those who serve him.

This business is dedicated to honest service in the name of Jesus Christ.  We are about our Father's business.


                                                                                     --Anonymous--

HISTORY

Several months after Casey and I began our relationship, I happened to be working at my computer and went to the website for Therapy Dogs International.  The actual therapy dog test was printed on the website.  I read the test and my immediate reaction was"Casey could pass this test in her sleep."  Well, the test was being given in about 2 weeks in Mechanicville.  I took Casey.  Neither one of us had any prior experience or training.  Casey passed with "flying colors."

An interesting aside that will give you some insight into Casey's personality:  We went to the therapy dog test in the evening , and just as we came in the front door, one of the evaluators(they are the people who administer the test), sat down in a wheelchair "to take a load off."  Casey immediately made a beeline to the man.  She seems to have a natural affinity for wheelchair bound people.
    


 

ORIGINS

God brought the therapy dog(Casey) and I together in the spring of 2006, just after she turned 7 years old.

At the time, I was working as a pet sitter and had a yearning to get a golden retriever.  I have to admit that if I was a young man or a teenager, Labrador retrievers would be my favorite breed.  Years of experience as a pet sitter had shown me that "Labs" have boundless energy, they want to play ALL the time, and they don't respond to the word "No."  The "Golden" is more laid back and will "cool it" if you tell him so.

I contacted a local golden retriever rescue agency, went through a thorough interview(three women actually came to my home) and application process, and waited.  During the wait, I happened to be taking care of a golden retriever on Middleline Road in Ballston Spa.  Turns out that the golden retriever, Charlie, was Casey's grandson(Don't you love how God works?).

Casey was a breeding dog for a breeder in Charlton, but after multiple litters she was ready for a career change and the breeder was looking for a responsible owner for Casey.  However, my first obligation was to the golden retriever rescue agency.  I immediately called them and when they told me they didn't have a dog for me(God again? Definitely!), it was like "music to my ears".  Now the way was open to "adopt" Casey, and I snapped her up in no time