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