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Let a Dog Teach Reading

July 28, 2020 admin Comments Off

Have you heard about “Listening Dogs”? It’s a simple, yet effective, concept. Back in 1999, R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) came to be. They train therapy dogs to work with children, some with learning disabilities. A dog’s job is to help a child learn English or reading skills in a loving, non-judgmental atmosphere. Kids have no worry about mispronouncing words or overcoming shyness in speaking in front of a class, thus resulting in health benefits, as well (lower blood pressure, pain control). The dogs are attentive listeners, rewarding the children’s efforts with soulful looks and maybe an occasional sneaked-in lick.

Kids thrive. Dogs are happy. What more can we ask for? For additional information, go to https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/47522/how-reading-aloud-to-therapy-dogs-can-help-struggling-kids

Uncategorized assistance, children, dogs, read, reading, therapy

She Has the Post Office Beat

April 14, 2020 admin Comments Off

There are lots of stories about people helping people deal with this pandemic, but this one struck me. Hannah Lucas in Maine literally goes the extra mile…so do her mush dogs. Read Mush! Dog Team Delivers Supplies To Elderly Residents Shut In By Virus.

Uncategorized dogs, elderly, Hannah Lucas, Maine, mush, post office, supplies

U.S. Military Dogs Being Mistreated

February 24, 2020 admin Comments Off

(From Working Dogs Left to Die.)

“You may have seen the news recently about the reports published about horrendous neglect of U.S. bomb-sniffing dogs in Jordan. In response to a hotline complaint, the Office of the Inspector General sent a team to do an evaluation of the kennel conditions of Explosive Detection Canines provided to Jordan. What they found was a horrifying combination of neglect, overwork and lack of basic veterinary care.

“Dogs that were carefully trained to save lives are now living in squalid conditions. Their kennels are covered in feces, their water bowls are often dry, and they aren’t being fed regularly. All of that, and they are still expected to work long days under the hot sun; sniffing for bombs.”

Read more and sign the petition at https://www.spcai.org/news/ed-blog/working-dogs-left-to-die.

Uncategorized bomb, dogs, military, petition, sniffing, squalid conditions, starve, State Department, US

Why Give Pets to Prisoners?

December 20, 2019 admin Comments Off

I just read an article about various prisons running programs in which neglected, abandoned, or abused dogs are assigned to the care of prisoners rather than being housed in shelters. These people foster the animals, caring for them, training them, and teaching them to trust humans again. Eventually the dogs are ready to move on, into loving adoptive families.

There is a corollary to the successful rehabilitation of the dogs. The prisoners, many of whom are felons due, in great part, to the fact that they, too, grew up neglected, abandoned, or abused, have a revival of their compassion and sense of responsibility. In that way, they are being rehabilitated, just like their waggly wards. Isn’t that what the prison system is supposed to do? Many of these individuals, once released, find jobs in dog grooming, training, and care. Others have refreshed their work ethic and determination to find and do well at a job.

These programs at any prison are small (maybe 20 pup/prisoner teams) but effective. Unlike some other people, I don’t consider this being soft on crime. Rather, I think it’s taking what is good in a person who has done bad and putting it to a use that is beneficial to our animal friends while giving him or her a fighting chance to reintegrate into society rather than re-offending. I, for one, think that’s a good thing.

Uncategorized abandoned, abused, dogs, neglected, parole, prisoner, re-offend, rehabilitate, reintegrate, society

Thanksgiving Danger for Pets

November 21, 2018 admin Comments Off

When you’re gobbling up turkey and all the goodies tomorrow and spot those sad, hungry-looking brown eyes under the table, it’s so tempting to give Fido or Fifi a bite. Before you do, though, remember that some foods can harm pets. This chart lists the common Thanksgiving Day no-nos that can cause choking, liver damage, and other ills. Give your faithful furry friend a little extra love instead.

Uncategorized choking, danger, dogs, food, lover damage, Thanksgiving dinner

This is a Win-Win-Wag Situation

July 30, 2018 admin Comments Off

Picture row after row of shy, anxious, unwanted dogs in their little shelter cubicles. Enter a group of children bearing books. They scope out the most timid, frightened dogs and sit on the floor in front of them, open their books, and start reading to them. By the end of a single children’s book, the dogs are more relaxed and actually interacting with the children.

The dogs win: they become more open and trusting of humans, making them cuter and more adoptable.

The children win: they learn empathy while practicing their reading skills.

The dogs wag: they wag their way into adoption.

You have to watch this brief video.