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