Meet the Members

In Memoriam

Busy Mugsy is Making Friends Everywhere!

When Mugsy is getting dressed up with his TDInc. bandana, he wags his tail in excitement because he knows what's coming. We are going to the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale, New York, where we've been visiting for two years. When we arrive, we hear happy exclamations, 'It's Mugsy!'

We also have been visiting P.S. 177, a special education school in Queens which is part of the New York City public school system. There, Mugsy works as a therapy dog as well as in the program of Reading Education Assistance Dogs. Students range from kindergarten through high school, and are eager for a chance to read to Mugsy. Some have a hard time understanding and following directions, but they read entire books to Mugsy!

Children at The School at Columbia University raised money to donate to R.E.A.D. in honor of Mugsy. R.E.A.D. itself made a donation to Mugsy to buy books to give to children in New York. Mugsy also demonstrated the R.E.A.D. program at a big dog show, where people learned about therapy dog work and the reading program. Mugsy and I look forward to many more visits.

-Elizabeth Shannon, North Merrick, NY

Alfie

My little dog, Alfie, and I have been members of Therapy Dogs Inc. for a year. He and I visit at Eugene (OR) Care Center and at Holly Residential, where my son lives, each week. He brings lots of love to the residents and they give him their love in return. It is amazing how much they benefit from Alfie’s visits.

Alfie makes his visits in dress-up clothes which the residents enjoy and admire. A letter to our local paper, The Register-Guard, last spring that was critical of people dressing up their little dogs, prompted me to send a reply which was published on June 13, 2006. Part of what it said is quoted below for those owners of therapy dogs who bring their dogs wearing costumes:

". . . My little pet, Alfie, brings smiles and joy to many people. He doesn't seem to mind the various costumes he wears. He responds to the kindness and attention he receives from the people he meets. I am definitely not the 'Paris Hilton' type. I am a senior citizen who loves to see a smile on someone's face. . . . (Alfie) may be the only positive part of their stressful day. I get many rewards from the joy Alfie gives to others. So I say 'snap out of it, smile and enjoy your day!'"

-Vee Bundrant, Eugene Oregon

Misty Has a Lot to Do

This is Misty, my five year old toy poodle. We joined TDInc. and Kindly Canines of Chambersburg Pa three years ago and since then have been involved in visits at hospice, nursing homes, special events of the local Boys and Girls Clubs, with special needs children and families with disabilities, and especially with the READS program.

Misty won the "kissing championship" at the local animal shelter for two consecutive years and is known as "The Kisser." Misty especially loves children. One little boy in an emotional support class refused to sit near Misty to read to her, calling her "the crazy dog" because she gave kisses to all the kids. At the end of the class, this same little boy returned three times for good-bye kisses!

We are currently active in the READS program in Corpus Christi School in Chambersburg. We work with about 50 students in four groups. The photo shows Misty with second-graders Camille Campbell, Madi Wyatt and Chandler Desotelle during break time. As you can see, everyone is having a wonderful time "Sharing Smiles and Joy." Thank you for your wonderful organization and the world of opportunities it has presented for Misty and myself.

-Marylou Herrick, Chambersburg PA