Dog Run Run / Walk

Over 20 people and their dogs made their way to Wildwood Park in Harrisburg for the first annual KPETS Dog Fun Run/Walk.

The three-kilometer run and walk on Saturday, October 24th started at 1pm and all participants enjoyed a nice fall day, exercise and beautiful wildlife at the park.  Small gifts and water were given to all teams.  Several families participated and dogs in KPETS gear answered questions during the event, spreading awareness of KPETS.

Close to $300 was raised for KPETS.  The second annual event will be scheduled early in 2011 and plans are to at least double the participants.

KPETS volunteers who are interested in helping to organize or advertise the 2011 KPETS Dog Fun Run/Walk can contact dogfunrun@kpets.org.  We are looking forward to another fun event!

Thank You From Upper Bay Counseling Center - Elkton, MD

This is the letter from the kids:

Ms. Barb and Ms. Charlotte that visit with us are absolutely amazing! They take time with the children and are so patient. They always go the extra mile. They have gone so far as to bring a birthday cake to celebrate all the children's birthdays. Ms. Barb brought her guitar and sang Happy Birthday. In the spring, Ms. Charlotte brought all the children flowers from her garden. They even brought a pony to visit the children.

• We learn that pets have to learn and follow directions too. They keep trying and never give up.
• Pets need affections too and we sometimes hug them. They sense danger and want to feel safe too. We see how they are attached to their owners.
• They are fun to pet and I really enjoy throwing the ball with them. They make me happy. They help us learn to follow directions.
• I really enjoy playing with them and throwing the ball is fun. They help me be calm.
• Fun to play with and enjoyable. They make me feel calm. They help me relax. They even brought us a pony and we learned that they need to be taken care of too. We brushed the pony.
• They make me feel silly. Pets have feelings too. They are different each day they come here to visit.
• They make me Happy.






• The ladies are very nice and interact so positively with the children.

Shown in photo are left to right:  Standing is Oxford Public Library Staff

Kneeling:Helen & Buddy, Andy & Dodger, Cathy & Zeus, Debbie & Beamer, Charlotte & Daisy, Barbara & Libby

Chester at Schreiber Pediatric

submitted by KPETS handler Diane and her two year old Golden Retriever, Chester

Chester and I were walking down the hallway this afternoon to our regular 3:30 appointment at Schreiber.

One of the speech therapists came out of her room and said, "Would you mind coming back to my room for a moment?  I am working with a little girl, and in all my time working with her I have never heard her speak a complete sentence. When you  just walked past my door she said, 'Can I pet the dog?' "   

Well,  of course I turned around and went into her room with Chester.  The girl was all smiles and so excited to pet Chester.  While petting Chester she said, "I have a dog at home!".  The therapist was amazed, then said calmly to me, "sentence #2!" 

She asked the girl about her dog at home.  The girl reached into her backpack, pulled out a stuffed doggie, kissed Chester with her stuffed doggie, and said, "This is my doggie!"  Therapist said quietly, "Sentence #3..." 

Does God use KPETS to make a difference & bring healing  in the lives of children?  YES!   ...Sometimes, just by walking down a hallway.

I totally had tears in my eyes with this one :-)

Welcome to KPETS Blog !

KPETS will share stories about therapy pets and the benefits of the human/animal bond. To submit a story, email it to blogger@kpets.org along with pics too. We'll work with you to get it posted here.