In The News
 Petting Putter
Hi! I'm Putter, a four year old Shih Tzu, and I've been a therapy dog
for three years now. I'm great friends with students at local schools
and with residents at the Oceana County Medical Care Facility
(OCMCF) here in Hart, MI.
Everyone is excited to see me when I visit OCMCF, especially my
friends Jackie and Virginia. (I'm shown with Jackie in the photo.) While I
am at the facility, I give kisses to residents, sit on laps, and take rides on
wheelchairs while my mom walks alongside. Sometimes, when the resident
and the nursing staff allow, I get to jump up on the beds to give special
greetings to friends.
I even became a "Hospet" about a year ago, since my mom is a Harbor
Hospice volunteer. I put a smile on the residents' faces and brighten their days!
 Jesse's Journey
By Jackie Sanderson
Green Bay, Wisconsin
I began training my dog Jesse, a 5 year old black
Labrador Retriever, for therapy work in July 2006.
Jesse was a rescue dog and we were his sixth home. He
completed his registration in February 2007 and was part
of a three-working-dog household with Gentry, a retired
guide dog who had a second career as a therapy dog, and
with Watson who was a working guide dog.
After Gentry's death in April 2007, Jesse took over full
responsibility as the primary therapy dog, regularly visiting
three nursing homes and making approximately 180 visits
with me by his side for over 2 ½ years.
Now his work will continue with a new handler, Sharon
Bauknecht, since I have had to retire from therapy dog
work because of terminal cancer. When his new registration
is complete, he will be able to add to his number of visits as
he continues his therapy dog career.
Jackie's husband Fred writes that Jackie passed away in
September 2009, but that Jesse continues her legacy.
 Jake Is a Champion
in Wisconsin Dells!
The activities director at the
Golden Living Center in
Wisconsin Dells (WI) writes
that Jake, who teams with his
owner Curtis Betley, is a champion
therapy dog who has been a
faithful companion and source of
encouragement for residents for
more than three years.
"When in the therapy
department, patients standing or walking with Jake at their side
tend to stand longer and walk
greater distances," she continues. "He brings smiles and joy to all
and is always obedient, gentle
and patient…and willing to sit
in a welcoming lap for as long as
required. A heartfelt thank you to
Jake, Curtis, and Therapy Dogs Inc!"
In Memoriam
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