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--