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.

Miracle Max

It never ceases to amaze me how these therapy dogs affect peoples' therapy sessions. Today Max and I went to the Rehab Hospital to work with the physical therapists and their patients. Max and I worked with a gentleman who need to work on balance while seated and using his left arm/hand. We'll call him "Bob".

The therapist, (we'll call Jill) had Max jump up on the mat table so Bob could brush him from his wheelchair. Max gladly obliged and hopped right up. As Max sat close to the edge of the table, his friend leaned forward to brush Max with a little help from Jill and his wife, who was there watching and giving him moral support. Bob brushed Max using his right hand but working on his balance while doing so. After a few minutes, it was time to lean back and take a break.

After a brief rest, the next thing we were to help with was having Bob pet Max with his left hand. He was instructed of this next exercise, so he leaned front - without any help! ! Eyes widened and "good jobs" were heard from everyone! He worked hard to lift his arm up enough to pet Max on his back, then stroking him back and forth from shoulders to tail. There were no complaints from Max. He loved every minute of it.

Rest time - and as if to say "thank you", Max was licking his hands. He's not usually a licker! I apologized but Bob and his wife both said it was fine, as their dog at home was quite the kisser. Now you must know, Max was very thorough when he was kissing his hands; they were 'schlecked' on the back and on the palms.  I did pull out a wet wipe from my bag and offered it to Bob to clean up. Jill took it and helped unfold the wipe and then handed it to him. He used is left hand to wipe his right - top and bottom. Then he used his right hand to wipe his left. He did the top and Jill asked, "Can you get your palm". He turned his arm/wrist so his palm was almost face-up. Jill stated with eyes wide, "I didn't know you could do that!". His wife said the same! Bob commented, "Me, either. You should name him 'Miracle Max'".

Not a bad idea! My kids. I'm so proud of each and  every one of them!

Sammy made an impression

While working away in the office today, a lady stopped by to request a visit for two special needs adult ladies that she supervises in their group home. Her name was Gayle. I knew she looked familiar from somewhere but could not place her. She knew me from way back a few years ago when she attempted to get her dog registered with KPETS. But her dog was dog agressive so we could not register them.

Gayle then mentioned that she met us at the Pet Expo the other weekend with one of her special ladies. It was coming back to me. She mentioned that, since meeting Sammy, her friend could not stop taking about my boy! She had met another dog that day as well, but she was really hooked on Sammy.

Gayle stated that as her friend leaned forward in her wheelchair to reach for Sammy, that was further than she ever does for her - even to put her coat on.
She stated that her friend talked more to me than she had ever talked to any stranger, that she has ever seen.

She continued to talk about Sammy for days, about how she fed him treats. Gayle said that her friend's speech was so much more understandable when she spoke to us.

My boy! I'm so proud of him. Just like Podley did, he's making lasting impressions!

Zeke's Big Debut - 11/22/10

 Today was a big day for the one year old Zeke, the youngest golden in our clan. His first day with me on a speaking engagement AND his first day doing real AAT!


The lunch speaking engagement had me more nervous than usual. You see, it was at the Hamilton Club in Lancaster - a rather classy establishment with a wonderful reputation. We were invited to speak for AMBUCS at noon about KPETS - Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services. Taking Zeke was the wise decision, I hoped. With four registered therapy dogs at home to choose from, Zeke seemed that he would be the easiest for this type of setting. And if things didn't go as well as I'd like, I could always blame it on - he's a puppy and still learning.

Having never been in the city, Zeke was awsome walking along the busy sidewalk with cars and buses whizzing by. I had been concerned as he has been going through that second fear stage puppies can go through.

Arriving at the Hamilton Club and settling in the dining area, was not a problem either; although, he was a bit nosey  about things,when my friend, Cheryl, held him as I set up my laptop and projector. But during the luncheon and my talk, he was a saint! I was so proud (and a pleasently surprised!).
But that was not the end of his day. Monday's I am scheduled to do AAT at the Lancaster Rehab Hospital, but I usually use Sammy, my nine year old golden or Max, my three year old golden. Today would be Zeke's first visit in this type of setting.
I had emailed and asked permission to bring the rookie and all were game to give him a shot!
Enter  Zeke!

Our first assignment was to walk along side of an elderly lady with a walker, the kind with wheels. Piece of cake! He was not afraid, he did not pull. My boy! ! !



Karen and Zeke's KPETS nametag pic. It's official!



Our second assigment was for Zeke to retrieve a toy that a patient tossed while they stood - working on balance and endurance. THIS had me concerned. You see, at home, retrieving is not Zeke's favorite thing to do. His favorite thing is to GET the toy, but keep it away from all his 'siblings'! If all 'kids' are inside and Zeke is alone, I can get him to retrieve if I try really hard, by running the other way when he get the toy. Making it fun to chase me and bring the toy to me How was this gonna work here at the hospital? !

The first toss went about ten feet. The suspense, will he??? He turned around, saw the toy and took off after it AND brought it back! He did this for about six times and then it was time for the patient to sit and rest! HE did it! My boy! !

Our next venture was another walk - this time with a regular walker, with no wheels. This walk was A LOT slower than the first one, but the little champ did great! I difinaltey needed the second leash to keep  him along side but using the click/treat as we walked made it go really well!

Another patient needed Zeke to retrieve but I could tell we may be loosing Zeke's interest. He did fine about four times but then he did his second favorite thing. Took the toy, flopped over on his back and held the toy between his front paws, like a baby holding a bottle. Ah, stole hearts with that act. The patient and therapist didn't seem to care that he didn't bring it right back. Chuckles could be heard throughout the gym.



 Realizing the pooch was getting tired, our next assignment was to lie on a matt table beside a patient, just so she could focus on her weaker side and make her smile during a therapy session that is not a whole lot of fun. Perfect timing. Zeke rested along side her for a short time. Then he's get up and reposition. He wasn't the best at snuggling but I think if I do some click/treat training for this, how hard can it be, right?