Tammy and Nikki - Rescue to to S&R AND Therapy!

KPETS Volunteer Tammy Mankey wanted to let us all know of the link to the interview she did of BCTV in Berks County on Monday, August 15, 2011 at 6:30 pm. Tammy was interviewed along with Nikki, her search and rescue dog, for winning another award for saving another life!

They discussed how Nikki came from their shelter and how she has saved many people as a search dog. They also  point out how she uses her personality as a KPETS Therapy Dog to cheer up others in the hospital. Tammy and Nikki sometimes respond to fires and use the dogs to comfort family members and their children. The firefighters often come over as well - even though they should be doing their job :) 

Nikki has won an award from when there was the Church Street fires when ten homes went up in flames. They stayed overnight at the shelter to comfort the familys and children since they lost their own pets in a fire.

Tammy promoted KPETS and talked about Nikki's success as a working dog.  Now as Nikki moves into her later years in life, this is her way of still bringing people cheer and that she does!  Tammy states: "She does not give them a choice when she sits on their feet and holds them hostage".She also told us: "KPETS is such a vital part of the community and we are so proud to be part of a wonderful organization. Hope you all get a chance to view it clip" 

We hope you do too! Great job, Tammy. We're do proud of you and Nikki! 

Here is the clip http://www.bctv.org/bctv/watch_live/wl_bctv/#vmix_media_id=106793691

Good-bye sweet Maggie

It is sad news to inform you that another first original KPETS therapy dog has completed her journey her with us. Carol and Bill Hopwood asked that we set up a memorial page with a place where Maggie's friends can donate in her memory to KPETS. www.kpets.org/maggie.html.

Here is Maggie's story - in her 'own' words :) So many of us miss you, dear Maggie!

WORK AND THE BALL


Would you believe I was the 3rd choice? Mom (human) and Dad (human) selected one of my sisters but Marlene (breeder) said no due to an eye problem. Then they picked out another pup and took it home, thinking it was a girl. Later that night Marlene, very chagrined, called and said that she was a he. Marlene got in her car in Maryland and an hour later, I replaced #2- the "he" pup. Mom and Dad almost didn't want to part with #2 but Marlene insisted that she was sure that I was a girl. So that's how I began my life on Woodshead on February 24, 2001. I was one of 8 pups born to Sari and Jake on January 4, 2001.

I was 9lbs. when I got there but by November, I weighed 64lbs.. So this is my story. Those early months were filled with a lot of playtime and love from Mom and Dad and their friends. Somewhere in that time, I played with a lot of toys--bones and other things-- but the first time I saw a "tennis ball" roll my way, I was hooked. It was so much fun to chase it and bring it back, but I wouldn't release it without a tussle. So my obsession with the ball began and remained until the end.Early on, Mom recognized that I was smart and that I liked all kinds of humans (dogs were okay) so she began to take me to training classes. Then I advanced to therapy training and was approved by the Delta Society. It was a "piece of cake"(or biscuit). Mom said I was WORKING whenever I visited humans but it wasn't hard at all. Then Mom met Karen (who runs KPETS) and Mom thought I could be approved by them. I did and was then able to proudly wear a KPETS vest for visits to humans. I first visited Brethren Village residents--they loved me. Then Mom and I started to visit the clients at Acadia Rehab Center. We were the first team to start dog therapy there and did it weekly for four years. The clients would brush my fur and hide the ball but I always found it. They learned my name-Maggie; but couldn't remember the therapist's name. Guess what- it was Maggie too!

Since the time when I was a pup, Mom and Dad took me to the Senior Center to greet the seniors before we delivered the Meals on Wheels. The Center also had a ball! I even donated blood when I was young at the clinic at University of PA - it didn't hurt. We visited Oak Leaf Manor residents and even attended church services there. We visited Miss Dolly at Woodcrest Villa, then at Oak Leaf and then at St. Anne's. Miss Dolly said I was "pathetic", but she sure liked to pet me. After all, she is 103 years young.


I also worked at reading classes for kids at the Mountville Library. That was easy. Mom also took me to the Knit-Wit meetings. The ladies talked and knitted and talked and talked and I usually slept. Father Stephen usually said hello and he blessed me many times at church services. I also visited Dad's brother in New York; he loved dogs, so of course, I was welcome. I attended the United Day of Caring with Mom for many years usually at Conestoga View. I visited Moravian Manor and the Mennonite Home to see humans. Only Miss Dolly said I was "pathetic" but I knew it was a compliment.

My Mom sometimes dressed me in a costume especially at Halloween. I was a Dallas cowgirl but Dad and human brother Doug didn't like it so they insisted I dress as a Steelers. That KPETS human Karen even made me a "poster child" with other dogs on a brochure.
So my working life was not that hard. Mom called it work but I certainly liked it when the humans would pet me, especially when they scratched my nose or ears. And if they had a ball, that was the best.
Now I'd like to talk about my non-working life at Woodshead and the things and times I liked the best. I liked to sleep late in the morning on the rug at the foot of their bed. Dad would try to rouse me but I would "play tired" and make him stretch my legs before I would arise. Sometimes Mom would cover me with the edge of the bedspread but I wouldn't move until they told me that I had to pee and poop (outside). Then I insisted on a handful of cereal before I ate my kibble.

After breakfast, I was interested in the ball, always and forever. Dad seemed to have an endless supply of tennis balls. It's good that he did because they got a little slimy and dirty when I would retrieve them from the woods. I loved it when Dad or Doug would throw it far when I wasn't looking. Then I would do circles until I sniffed it and brought it back. Doug could throw it much further than Dad. Then I learned how to catch it off the garage roof. When I caught it (7 out of 10 times on a good day), I'd chew it for awhile before releasing it. They couldn't pull it from my mouth unless I let them. I could even bark with the ball in my mouth but it wasn't very impressive. I also liked to roll on my back and try to roll on the ball.


Boy, did I like it when it snowed! Chasing the ball in the snow was great fun. I sometimes needed directional signals to find it because it didn't make a big hole in the snow. When we got a big snow, I had a little trouble doing #1 or #2 because I wasn't that tall. After fun in the snow I loved to dry out in front of their woodstove.


Then there were the daily "Happy Hour" sessions at 5PM which Mom and Dad called "attitude adjustment". Mom and Dad got their scotch and SC and I got my Maggie-sized (small) ice cubes. After the cubes, I was treated to some cut-up vegetables. In good weather we had "Happy Hour" on the deck. If I was good (95% of the time), I got an extra treat- a scotch-flavored cube. One time they gave me a Hammond's pretzel and I was hooked. When Doug came over, he would tease me by placing a Hammond's just out of my reach; but he would eventually give in when I gave him my "pathetic" look. When on the deck, once in a while, I would lift my nose and smell the scent of a deer or turkey. Mom and Dad eventually caught on when my tail was straight up.
I loved that house and the woods-- I never once ran away. There was no need to do so- everything I wanted was there except the squirrels. I never caught one though I tried-didn't even come close. I was not a "happy camper" when the wind picked up before a storm. I could always tell when they were coming-something like a sixth dog sense. Thunder and lightning was the worst-- I couldn't stop shaking. That's when I received extra attention from Mom and Dad. They even bought me a "thunder shirt" to wear but it was no use. We "gutted it out" together in a corner. I also did not like to go to Terri, the groomer. I resisted but they insisted. I have to admit that I looked prettier after the four-hour ordeal.

As I got older, my joints started to hurt and I limped sometimes. Sometimes Mom would give me some medication to help. I also developed some lumps on my body and the fur on my nose turned almost all gray, just like Dad's hair. But my intelligence never faded and I learned to tolerate pain.
I really never wanted to be away from humans especially Mom, Dad, and Doug. I even liked to visit the neighbor lady and neighbor man when Mom and Dad were away for short periods of time. Mom and Dad even took me on their last vacation.


To please my parents, I walked their treadmill whenever they insisted. One time, I did it for 26 minutes non-stop. They had a big issue over my "bathroom" habits. They expected me to do #2 at least 3-4 times a day so sometimes I just faked it. I know Dad was jealous of my abilities in this area. I always knew my commands-sit, down, stay, come, etc. but sometimes I would make them repeat it two or three times before I obeyed. Mom even thought I could shake my right or left paw on command, but I would keep doing either one until she smiled. I would even let Mom brush my teeth once a week. I could even run through Mom's flower beds with minimum damage. I did have trouble sliding down the driveway when it was icy. I used to sit under the counter next to their stools when they ate for two reasons: sometimes a crumb would fall, and to reassure them I was close. I could produce a low growl when something was amiss and I barked at all cars coming up the drive way.


My second favorite toy after the ball was the "sock" which was really a rubber pull. Dad and I played with it until he got tired. Dad always said I had a soft bite-- I really didn't want to hurt him.


So that pretty much covers my personal life. Nighttime was good because I got five Milk bones before retiring. Then I would settle down and give them a big sigh and they knew I was ready to sleep. Once in a while, my dreams became active and noisy - I was just hunting for my ball.
I lived a good life and enjoyed myself. I think I helped a lot of those humans I met along the way. I know that I helped my Mom, Dad and brother Doug. They sometimes got mad at me but when I blinked my long eye lashes and raised my paw to them, they forgave me.


My last day, I played with my ball a lot. I even carried it into the room at the Vet's and I didn't release it until the end.
Love, Maggie August 8, 2011

Cruise for a Cause / Hanover, PA

Fun, food and cool cars were packing the parking lot at Brother's Pizza in Hanover, PA on June 25 to generate interest and raise funds for KPETS.

View this slide show to see the fun. Looking forward to another event like this next year!
_______________________________________

Thank you to everyone who generously donated their time to support the first ever Cruise for a Cause Event on June 25th.

It was with your help that we were able to raise over $400 for KPETS! That is equal to $100 per hour!! I appreciate all your help and talents given to support this wonderful cause. Everyone had a great time!

We had 15 cars register. This was fantastic considering we were working against many other happenings in the area. We had great music to dance to provided by Larry Appel from Burning Spear Entertainment, good food and snowballs! Not to mention the cars were pretty awesome too!  

Again, many thanks to all of you for helping make this first ever event for KPETS a success! I couldn't have done it without the efforts of such wonderful volunteers.

With Heartfelt Thanks!
Wendi Mitzel

KPETS Stroll 'n Roll and Pet Expo

Click here for pics provided by We Heart Dogs.

The weather sure was better than last year's and the timing could not have been better by waiting till after we were all packed up to issue a tornado warning for our area. So Sunday, June 12 was a great day for

Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services (KPETS) to declare a day for barking in the park - Ephrata's Grater Memorial Park!

That was the site of the KPETS Pet Expo and Stroll N' Walk. Scores of dogs and their humans stopped by the mid-day event to visit with vendors, munch on burgers and fries (and puppy treats) and enjoy pet-themed demos and presentations. A highlight of the day was a demonstration by Flyball Dogs Anonymus. Visitors could attend sessions to receive expert advice from Dr Leslie Osborne, local veterinarian; Sheree Dietz, pet groomer and Bonnie Hess, trainer during their "Ask the Vet, Groomer, and Trainer " sessions. There were over 30 vendors participating with goods ranging from doggie snacks to vacuums. Other non-profits attending and promoting their causes and looking for volunteers were several doggie rescues organizations (Brookline Lab and SAY - Save a Yorkie), CART (County Animal Rescue Team), two Search and Rescue groups (Middle Creek SAR and Cumberland County SAR). Some of the other features were presenations by United Disablity Services Service Dogs, Guaridan Angels for Soldiers Pets.

There was also a blessing of the animals by Pastor Deborah Miley to send the pups and people off on the Stroll 'n Roll Walk. Many attendees participated in the walk through the park to raise much-needed funds for KPETS

The Expo and Stroll N' Walk raised more than $2,000 for KPETS, and raised awareness of the good work KPETS does throughout 10+ counties in Pennsylvania, Maryland and beyond. 

Thanks to all who attended, volunteered and walked. We hope to do it bigger and even better next year! 

Max helps a new buddy

Visit with Jeffery (name changed)  at Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center: 8/4/10

Max came to do a speech therapy session with Jeffrey who is 5 years old and has Autism.  We stayed in the Activities of Daily Living room since it was so hot outside for man and dog that day! Jeffrey has been a child who has an extremely difficult time attending to anything for more than a minute, especially if it is not something on his agenda.  

As a speech therapist, I have been working on just getting him to have joint attention with me on an activity.  I was hoping the dog might help with this! Also, Jeffery has words, but he uses them mostly by imitating what others tell him to say, and even then, sometime he does not like to do so. I had some pictures made up of things Jeffrey could choose to do with Max.  I presented choices a couple of different times, and Jeffrey did an excellent job of looking at each picture and pointing to a choice.  He chose to “throw ball” for Max over “shake hands.”  We worked on turn-taking with throwing the ball. 

At first, Jeffrey needed just a little help to throw the ball (he liked to just give the ball to Max and Max happily took it out of his hand J), but eventually, he threw the ball for Max! Another awesome thing he did after a few turns, was when it was my turn, he ended up with the ball in his hands. And before I could say that it was my turn, he handed it over to me!! 

He loved it when Max would go after the ball.  Then, I prompted him to say, “Come” to Max to get him to come back to us. Jeffrey sat with his TSS (behavior aide) most of the time, but his attention to the dog and to me was really good! Once, spontaneously, he said, “My turn to go” real quick.  Then, we would take a break and either brush Max or pet him, or he could “border” the room (walk around the perimeter of the room looking at the angles of things) once and return to Max and us.  

Then, I gave him another choice, “shake hands” or “take walk”;  he chose to take a walk with Max.  We did a couple of loops around the building (inside) with Max, and Jeffrey did such a nice job holding onto Max’s leash (typically, he needs his hand held tightly or he bolts away from whomever is walking with him). He held my hand, too, at times, but I tried to let go to see if he would stay with our group just by holding onto Max. We had one little “detour” from Jeffrey when we got near the playground door the second time.  But, I was able to run after him, and redirect him by saying “Where is Max? We have to get Max.” 

We also stopped once or twice and told Max to “Sit,”. It was so funny, because Max wouldn’t sit the one time and Jeffrey gently pushed down on him to make him sit J 

I found it interesting that as we said “Bye” to Max, we all shook Max’s “hand,” but Jeffrey didn’t want to, and he pet Max on the back instead, which remained consistent with his earlier choices when he chose the other activities with Max over “shake hands” each time. 

Overall, I was very pleased with the session and hope to have Max again during a speech session. I saw more joint attention, turn-taking, and heard more words from jeffrey than I have in most of my sessions the past 2-3 months!

Karen Thomsen

Speech Language Pathologist

Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center

KPETS Volunteer Receives Special Recognition

Jolene Newcomer pairs off with Gio to 'lift the human spirit"

was the title in the Lancaster Sunday News "In the Spotlight" feature on May 22, 2011. Click here to read the article recognizing Jolene and Gio for their pet therapy volunteer ventures.

ASU Loves KPETS Teams

The AZ connection just hit again!  The event was a Wellness Breakfast  from 9:00 to 11:00 PM for ASU Students preparing for "Finals".  The two Teams that participated were Tina and "Norman" and Yvonne and "Zee", the two teams that live the farthest away!   


Here is an email from Marybeth - Doctoral Candidate, Counseling Psychology

CED250 Course Coordinator

University College Instructor

Arizona State University

Hello Bill,

Thanks for the e-mail and passing along the newspaper article! Kpets does such amazing work and I can speak for the wellness psychology team at ASU's Counseling & Consultation by saying we were honored to have Kpets at our wellness event! 

The event was great! Students saw the dogs and were immediately drawn to them. The dogs just loved it too! Some of my colleagues noted afterwards that all students - no matter what was going on for them - came over to see the pooches. It was estimated that a few hundred students were able to interact with the pooches - bringing them joy and relaxation just when the students needed it the most. Two pictures were taken before my camera battery died, but they don't do the dogs justice. 

Thank you again for all of your support. I am passing your information along to my colleagues who will be organizing the event in December. 

Best Regards,

Marybeth