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Blog Entry 12 of 18 A Therapy Dog's Journal

I was curious about pet therapy when I first learned about it in the mid-90s. Pets can have an important role in the well-being of children, the elderly and hospitalized patients. In 2002, I was ready to look for the dog which would be compatible with me as a therapy dog. I wanted a smooth-haired dog; clean and easy to groom. I wanted it to be small enough to carry in my arms, hold on my lap, and travel in a little crate in the car. It must also be trainable, healthy and have a people-pleasing, forgiving temperament. I liked many of the characteristics of dachshunds. I owned one before, but she passed away in 1997, at age sixteen. This dog won an AKC obedience title. I narrowed my search for another dachshund. There were puppies available, but I didn’t want one from a pet store or puppy mill. In 2004, I heard about a litter in Utah. After several long distance calls and emails, I was excited about the runt. I drove to meet the breeder at a dog show in Greeley. Jewel and I were a good match. We visited for a while then I bought the puppy and brought her home. Jewel is a ten pound, smooth-coated, black and tan daughter of AKC champions. Jewel was sold to me as a pet, and has never been a show dog. But she’s a very healthy, happy and pretty little girl. Some day I might write her story as a book for young children, but am starting with this blog. It tells the adventures of Jewel: Therapy Dog.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~JewelWeekly

Jewel to be a night owl

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Contributed by: Gail Kirkegaard on 3/22/2008

Beginning in April, Jewel and I are going to volunteer a couple of hours on a few Friday evenings for a new respite program called " Night Owls," which was developed to help children up to age 12 with special needs and their siblings. There could be as many as sixty children in the Night Owls program, so several Pet Partner teams are going to be on hand for them throughout the evening.

The children in the program have a variety of physical and mental conditions. For example, they may be in a wheelchair or have cerebal palsy, or they may have autism, Down's Syndrome or other learning disabilities. The kids can choose from several pre-planned activities and events according to their own interests. They will participate with an assigned, trained adult volunteer called a "buddy," who will provide individualized care for that child. The activities are child-directed, and the children may move from room to room with their adult friend as they choose. Activities will be anything from art to music to gymnastics to surprise guests such as dancers or musicians.

One of the things they can do is visit with a therapy animal. Jewel and I will probably settle down somewhere on a mat or pillow in the corner of one of the rooms, and let the children come to us as they wish. Being a small dog, Jewel's less threatening than a large one. I know lots of large dogs are totally harmless. But children don't always realize that. I think Jewel will enjoy this kind of work.

If the organizers for Night Owls consider it valuable, or effective, they might continue it. Whoooo knows, maybe Jewel can fit right in on a regular basis in this program. We start on April 4th. I'll try to provide an update to my blog readers the next day.

< Previous: 'Family reunion' | Next: 'Yes, she's fully grown!' >

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Submitted By: Erin Feese

posted on 3/22/2008 @ 3:39:01 PM

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That sounds great, Gail. I'd love to hear how it goes. Take a photo or two if you can!

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Gail Kirkegaard

Lakewood , CO

Gail Kirkegaard has posted 18 blog entries and 218 comments since joining on 3/2/2006. Gail Kirkegaard 's average blog rating is 4.85.

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