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Therapy Dogs At Home
Monday September 26, 2022
(R-MW, IL) A poolside!
(R-S, GA) Z at home, with his siblings!
(R-NE, CT) V loves Autumn!
Therapy Dogs Visiting
(R-NE, NY) L with the staff at the hospital!
(R-S, GA) Z at work!
(R-S, AL) J bringing smiles to the residents!
(R-S, SC) D on a visit!
(R-S, VA) K is always happy to visit!
(R-S, FL) B is doing great as a therapy dog!
(R-W, WA) Enjoying a festive, fall visit!
(R-NE, NY) Z visiting a nursing facility!
(R-S, FL) S on her 2nd official visit!
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Therapy Dogs At Home
Tuesday August 30, 2022
(R-W, CO) M having fun at home!
(R-W, CO) G enjoying a hike around her backyard!
(R-S, VA) K enjoying a beautiful day!
(R-NE, PA) L hiking in the mountains!
(R-MW, IN) K helping to give C a bath!
(R-NE, NY) H spending some time on the water!
(R-S, GA) Z and S enjoying the beautiful weather!
(R-S, WV) G playing with his frisbee!
(R-NE, CT) V says dock diving anyone?
Therapy Dogs Visiting
(R-S, VA) P visiting kids at a learning center!
(R-MW, IL) M on her way to her first visit!
(R-S, NC) R enjoying all of the attention!
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We wanted to make you aware of the existence of this tick species. While it is not yet endemic to North America, it is very possible that it finds its way here eventually. The story was published by SWR.de, but has been translated from German to English below. You can also search online for additional information pertaining to the Hyalomma tick. The original article can be found by clicking: HereTropical tick spotted - Hyalomma likes dry heat 
They appeared in the Vorderpfalz and mainly torment horses. When the fast-moving ticks burrow into people's skin, they can transmit the viral disease CCHF. The hot and dry summer weather favors a species of tick that has so far mainly been native to Africa. According to the Stuttgart tick researcher Ute Mackenstedt, according to current information from the Vorderpfalz, the tick, which is called Hyalomma according to its genus name, is observed more frequently this year than in the previous, rather wet year. Striped legs and very fast "We have never come across this animal before," reports the rider Susanne Mengelberg in Bobenheim-Roxheim (Rhine-Palatinate district). The special size and the striped legs are striking. Within a few days, the tick species appeared five times, leaving bite wounds and sucking points on particularly sensitive areas of the horse's skin. "She runs, she is fast." Unlike the common woodbuck (Ixodes ricinus), which senses its victims via chemical signals such as temperature and smell and then attaches itself to them in the grass or undergrowth, Hyalomma ticks are active hunters that can pursue their victims over long distances. Ticks also go to humans The Greek name refers to the ability to see: Hyalomma means something like glass eye. So far, two different species have appeared in Germany, Hyalomma rufipes, which is native to Africa, and Hyalomma marginatum, which is widespread in south-eastern Europe and Turkey. In addition to horses and other large mammals, the ticks also go to humans. Climate change could encourage Hyalomma species "We assume that Hyalomma came to our latitudes with migratory birds," says the expert Mackenstedt, who researches in the parasitology department at the University of Stuttgart-Hohenheim. In the developmental stage of the nymph, the ticks attach themselves to the birds, then fall off and, in favorable weather conditions, develop into adults. In the vicinity of the riding meadows near Bobenheim-Roxheim there are several ponds with many Canada geese and greylag geese. "The occurrence of hyalomma correlates very well with the routes of bird flight," says Mackenstedt. This includes the Rhine Valley. There is also evidence for Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. "In the coming decades, climate change could result in a Hyalomma species being able to establish itself here and become at home," says the scientist. Depending on the amount of blood sucked, Hyalomma rufipes lays nearly 2,000 eggs at each oviposition. "The high number of offspring is a factor that can make it easier for the tick to conquer a new habitat," explains the Robert Koch Institute. Thousands of people have contracted it in Turkey since 2002 Hyalomma ticks can transmit Crimean-Congo fever (CCHF), a viral infection with a high mortality rate. Thousands of people have contracted CCHF in Turkey since 2002; According to the RKI, the disease had a fatal course in almost five percent of the cases. The state investigation office of Rhineland-Palatinate warned of the Hyalomma ticks in 2018 - even then the summer was particularly dry and hot. However, the occurrence of hyalomma does not have to be reported or reported. The authorities therefore have no information about the current distribution. Rider Susanne Mengelberg is concerned: "I very much hope to never meet a Hyalomma again." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Therapy Dogs At Home
Monday August 15, 2022
(R-NE, CT) V napping with his stuffies!
(R-S, VA) P with his Rally trial ribbons from this past weekend!
(R-S, LA) L enjoying the summer breeze!
Therapy Dogs Visiting
(R-S, GA) Z and S are ready to make a therapy dog visit!
(R-MW, IL) A napping in the hospital lab!
(R-MW, MI) J on a visit to his local school!
(R-NE, PA) R bringing lots of love to her local hospital!
(R-MW, OH) R visiting his local church!
(R-MW, OH) S at a therapy dog visit to a local hospital!
(R-NE, PA) R after her first visit!
(R-NE, NY) T loves visiting the library!
(R-MW, IA) E on a recent visit!
(R-MW, SD) V at her first therapy dog visit!
(R-S, GA) B listening to a story at the library!
(R-W, OR) S listening to a student reading to her!
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"Three Strikes!"By C Recently, three of my four dogs were bitten by a snake in our own backyard. We don’t know what kind of snake it was but we assume it was a copperhead since that is the most common poisonous snake in our area. I was outside with them when it happened but I was on the other side of the yard doing a little yard-work. I heard a yelp and saw my Boxer, Waylon, running towards the house. He was quickly followed by April, the Australian Kelpie, Danny the mixed terrier and retired Therapy Dog and last but not least, Glenda the miniature Poodle who is an active Therapy Dog. 
When I got into the house, they were all acting oddly. It was then that I noticed Waylon’s face was swelling. I saw what looked like two puncture wounds on his right cheek. When I touched his lip, he screamed. I realized he must have been bitten by a snake so my husband put him in the car and headed for the animal emergency clinic. The other dogs were still very quiet and a few minutes later I saw the April’s face was also very swollen, with puncture wounds on her left cheek. So I put her in my car and got to the ER about twenty minutes after my husband. 
Both dogs had blood drawn and luckily neither needed antivenin but April needed medication to calm down just to be examined. She was trying to hide under the chairs and shaking like a leaf. Waylon on the other hand, was very calm other than having the typical Boxer wiggle butt. All of the staff at the clinic kept complimenting him on his sweet behavior and telling us how lucky we were to have a dog with such a good temperament, who even in pain was gentle and cooperative. We were sent home with pain medication and instructions to use ice packs on their faces several times a day to control the swelling which they said would get worse before it got better. We were also told to watch for signs of infection or necrosis at the puncture wounds. The most interesting thing we learned was that most dogs do not succumb to copperhead bites and that had been my biggest fear. It’s really just a matter of controlling the pain and swelling. 
Once we got Waylon and April home we were settling everyone down and I noticed that Danny the terrier was looking puny. My husband started examining him and found swelling under his chin, although it was not as extreme as the other dogs. His furry, scruffy beard had hidden the swelling earlier. We did not take him to the ER, knowing that they would just give us the same advice so we treated him at home. The land behind our home is being cleared and we wondered if the snake wandered over to our yard looking for a safer home. After searching, we were unable to find the snake but we did spray a product called Snake-Away around the perimeter of the backyard, hoping to keep other snakes from deciding they like the look of our yard. I would like to tell Mr. Snake, “Three strikes and you’re out!” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Life With Magic"By A
A good start on Magic’s story would be to tell how she got her name. Back Rivers Magic Freeway “Magic” was whelped mid morning of May 6th, 2009. Twenty four hours after all the other puppies, we had taken Abby and a basket of three puppies, to town for a vet check. After the exam, we were told Abby has no more puppies to whelp. We were hoping for a second female that we could keep and train for Brace in the AKC Obedience Ring. Disappointed, I patted Abby on the head and told her we would buy a little female for her companion. She swung her head around and looked at me as if to say, “don’t worry Mom I’ll get you another puppy.” Just a short time later on the trip home, as we flew down Hwy I95 South going seventy plus mph, there was movement on the seat on the other side of Abby. I leaned over and there next to Abby was a living wet puppy. We stopped at the park, Abby cleaned up the new addition, a female, I added it the basket, then there were FOUR. What else can you name the surprise result of a magic trick, but Magic. Along with Magic, we ended up keeping the runt of the litter because he was an unsaleable puppy, Rocky. Life was good and Abby was “Mother of the Year”, like I knew she would be. Magic grew big and strong and super smart. On the other hand, Rocky was plauged with problems from day one. Abby made the call on that puppy and raised the little guy. He didn’t walk until he was eight weeks old, cryptorchid, two hernias, teeth extractions, and puppy cataracts to name a few problems. We’ve always joked that Rocky doesn’t bark, he just goes cha-ching, cha-ching like a cash register. To this day Rocky and Magic are the closest of companions. At fifteen months old, Magic was well established in the obedience ring like Abby. She had her first title before she was a year old, but a much higher score than Abby. On August 24th, 2010, a terrible ordeal started. I was out on our property with only Magic. I turned my back for a few minutes working and she was gone. Earlier I had seen a herd of deer come through. They cross our property all the time. No Magic and no deer, she had taken off after them. Our twenty-two acres backed up to a twelve thousand acre hunt club. There was no fence in-between and on occasion our three dogs would cross into the club chasing deer and we would call them back. Magic was a young dog going in alone. No bossy Abby or slow Rocky to keep her in tow this time. We searched all that evening by calling her as we hiked into the property. The club land was a maze of ATV trails, fire brakes, and Georgia Power right-of-ways. We advertised and I left fliers at businesses in the area, all humane societies, veterinary offices, and dog pounds. Visited every house whose property bordered the hunting land. There was a caretaker’s house that could be seen up the power lines just inside of the club. They had not seen her or any sign of her. No one else lived on all those acres. Hunting season had not started. After more than a week, I still went out to the edge of our property and called her every morning and evening when the air was clear and voices carry. We quit hiking because of snakes on the move at that time of year. I never stopped going to the property line and calling her. When September started, the hunters began prepping their stands and blinds. The president of the club sent word out to his members to watch for a blue/grey female Standard Poodle. I just kept hoping she would magically appear. Magic had been gone twelve days, not a sign or sighting. On that afternoon of the twelfth day, I parked my car in the garage and stepped out onto the breezeway to the house. There, on the lawn below the porch I came face to face with Abby. All I could think of is how did she get out of the house? I realized in that instant, I was looking at Magic. Mother and daughter look identical. To this day, I feel that one of the hunters found her. They most likely brought her to the edge of our property and released her. I had made every effort to keep a good relationship with my neighbors, the hunt club. They were allowed to come onto my property to get their dogs. She loves men, all men and an offer of an ATV ride would be an open invitation. I realized then that I had given up finding her and this was a total surprise. Great “Magic trick”, girl! She had lost fifteen pounds. She wouldn’t let us touch her legs or feet. She would move away or cry in pain. She smelled of ammonia. I believe her body had entered a stage of starvation. There is no food and very little water on that property, only dangerous wildlife. You couldn’t even bathe the ammonia smell away. It lasted for about a month. Shortly, the bowel movements of sticks and sand and her funky odor make way for the Magic that we knew and loved. Magic and I were chalking up the obedience titles. Abby had finished her AKC Open title and was moving into Utility. Before we knew it Magic had completed five titles. She was four and a half years old. She had gone into the ring fifteen times, she never NQ'd, and had five first places. Magic and Abby were practicing for brace. She and I had started working in and preparing for the Open ring, but something was going wrong with Magic. She was having some health problems. It is now 2013 and Magic has no balance. She is not eating, yet can't stop vomiting. We had chalked up a series of vet visits. Same story every time. They would give her electrolytes to get her back on her feet. I would bring her home and do exactly what they told me to do. Within a couple of weeks, Magic is sick again. The staff at the clinic had started making fun of me. They were wanting to know what I'm doing to my dog and if I was unable to follow instructions. We've now moved to the new house and Magic is sicker than ever. She has the dry heaves and has retched all night. She can't walk across the floor. She has a discharge coming from her eyes and nose. We got a referral from our vet to take her to a specialist in Jacksonville, Florida. Magic is critical! She would not be carried in or ride on a gurney. She dragged herself and staggered in across the floor. Within thirty minutes of walking into North Florida Veterinary Specialists, we had a diagnosis, Addison's Disease. We started her on medication. Every twenty-eight days a shot and every other day a pill for the rest of her life. Addison's Disease is not compatible with life and Magic and our lives would never be the same. Anything surrounding Magic is magic and she thrived. I never put her back in the obedience ring. Swings in stress and weather conditions, which a competitor can't control, dictated her career was over. My handler buddy and great friend encouraged me to start her in TDI with Abby, but it took me years to risk it. It wasn't until Abby DSR, was on the verge of retiring from TDI, that I started Magic. She loved every minute of visiting. I'm only sorry she never got to visit in brace with her Mom. Magic had a very favorite nursing home facility that was all about her and she was all about them. After Abby retired, Magic and I branched out into some of Abby's facilities. Everyone thought she was Abby. We lost Abby in May of 2020 at the age of fourteen. Because of COVID, visiting was over for all of us. Today Magic is thirteen and very retired. Her legs just can't carry her any distance any more. For all I know, she might be the oldest living Addison dog. The legs failing and intestinal disturbances surface every now and then. She and Rocky are still fast friends and recline on the banks of the small lake we live on, watching turtles. Even with Rocky's blindness, he lays down beside her on the bank, like he is not missing a thing. I'm sure that she tells him how many turtles are surfacing and "look there Rocky, another one!" We make a vet visit every twenty-eight days for her shot and Dr. Pope just shakes his head in disbelief. That has been our life with Magic. We are the luckiest dog owners in the world! 
Rocky and Magic watching for turtles on the banks of the lake. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Life with German Shepherds"By B I have owned many German Shepherds and it is my breed of choice. They are loyal, intelligent, and very trainable. Many people however are very afraid of them. I have had three therapy dogs that were the sweetest dogs and changed a great many people's opinion of GSDs. This is a story of life with GSDs. Quite a few years ago, my husband used to receive regular UPSpackages. Our UPS driver John, loved my dogs. At the time, I had three adult GSDs and John would deliver two or three times a week. John always had dog biscuits in his truck. My rule with John was that my dogs do not get free treats, they have to do something for the reward. John would have them sit in order to get their treat. Sometimes, he would let them get up in his truck, sit, then get their treat. We live out in the country and off a dirt road, so you could hear the UPS truck rattling down the road a mile away. Even if the dogs were in the house, they could hear the truck coming. I would let them out and they would patiently wait by the house for John to get up the driveway with their treats. On one such day, they heard the truck coming, so I let them out to wait for John. I went to put on my shoes, so I could go out and get the package, and thank John. I walked out of the house and all three dogs were sitting in the truck, just as pretty as can be. That perfect alert intense pose. I wondered what was taking John so long to get the package, and as I got closer to the truck I could hear a very low trembling voice “Help, help, anyone there, please help." I called the dogs out of the truck and a young man appeared. Apparently John was on vacation and this was a new driver. I explained to him how John feeds them treats and that's what they wanted. I also told him John loves dogs and many people in this area have dogs, so if he feeds mine, he probably feeds other people's dogs too. I think the poor guy thought he was going to be eaten that day. His next comment was “I think I will stop and buy some dog biscuits.” He made other deliveries to our house and loved my dogs, despite the unfortunate first meeting. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
" Why I Love German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) And How It All Began………"By A Once upon a time, meaning many years ago, I met a most wonderful “Being”, a GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG! We had moved to the country, willingly taking into consideration the long commute to the city to our jobs. The road we lived on at that time was a dirt road. Mail was being delivered half a mile away to our mail box, at a wonderful neighbor’s house. It was almost like I imagine America was in earlier times. At that time, we had only cats who had adopted us. Word must have gotten around that there was always food to be given if one showed up at our house. I always kept cat and dog food in my cupboard for my visitors. -That is also another story, about Gus the Basset Hound, Muncie, Impy and Stranger the cats.- Now back to the GSD STORY. I was on the back porch working when a thunderstorm was announcing itself. It just had started to rain. Ready to go back into the house, all of a sudden out of nowhere when I saw this huge GSD standing there, looking at me. I told him: “You look like you are hungry and also need a good drying. I will not hurt you and I hope you will not hurt me!” He waited until I came out with a dish of food and ate it in front of me. After that, I dried him and invited him into the house. There was an immediate bond between us. He was my best friend from now on. My husband, who also had loved dogs and animals like I did (one big consideration why I had married him) accepted our visitor. We made him a nice bed in our garage for the first night. Since I had to assume he belonged to someone, I called the local police the next morning to find out if someone was missing a dog, but also let them know I would like to keep him if no one claimed him. I also took him to the local vet and had him checked out. No one claimed him. He was able to stay! From the local road department I found out that he had been around for at least four weeks. They had left some of their sandwiches for him, and other people tried to take him in, but he would not go near anyone! I believe he and I were soulmates and he was seeking me out. He was the most wonderful “Being”, kind, and a friend to all animals. The cats loved him, we were family! There is a lot more to this story, but I end it for now. At a future time, I will write down the rest of the story about “Blitz”, named so because he came during this thunderstorm……….. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Why I Visit With My Dogs"By B WHY I VISIT WITH MY DOGS I am asked frequently “Why do you have therapy dogs and why do you visit with them so often?" To answer this question, I would like to provide a little information about myself and although I could tell you many stories, there are three I would like to share. I have had therapy dogs since 2003 and that is when my story of visiting with my first therapy dog Lucy begins. I had never visited before, so a very kind TDI member invited me to visit with him and his tiny five pound dog Teenie, until I was comfortable visiting by myself. As I stated, Teenie was a five pound dog and Lucy was a one hundred ten pound German Shepherd. They were quite a head turning pair. We were visiting the local hospital and had entered a room with a non-responsive patient, who had been in a horrible accident. The patient's brother was in the room and told us he had not moved or responded since he came in. He also told us how much his brother loved dogs and that it was a shame he was missing out on this visit. Teenie's owner asked the brother if it would be okay to put Teenie next to the patient on the bed. Absolutely was the answer, so Teenie was placed gently next to the patient's arm and Lucy went to the other side and was nuzzling his other hand. After a couple of minutes, the patient opened his eyes and started talking to the dogs. Nobody could hold back the tears. THIS IS WHY I VISIT My second story happened a few years ago with my therapy dog Barkley. Every week we would visit a senior care facility, which had a memory wing for Alzheimer's patients. We were always diligent about visiting these patients. One resident was declining rapidly and although her family was visiting from out of town, she was almost oblivious of their presence. We had not visited with her before, as she was new to the facility. The staff had dressed her and put her in a wheelchair to visit the family in the communal area. I walked in and she just about jumped out of her wheelchair to make her way to Barkley, a one hundred fifteen pound German Shepherd. She started talking to him and loving on him. The family was able to spend a couple of happy days with her. She passed away peacefully in her sleep three days later. Afterwards, the family told us she had a dog that looked like Barkley and she thought that it was him. THIS IS WHY I VISIT My last story happened just two weeks ago with my newest therapy dog BJ, who I adopted one year ago from animal control. We visit a clinic for rehabilitation from drugs and psychology problems on a weekly basis. We are included in their group therapy sessions. One patient, a veteran who suffered from anxiety attacks in crowded situations, never attended a group therapy session because of this issue. When he learned my dogs were visiting, he wanted to see them, so he went into the room. As we entered, he was pacing in a circle, with his head lowered and breathing heavily. BJ immediately went to him, and the gentleman started petting and talking to him. After just a few minutes, he looked up and said “ I could feel a panic attack coming on and this dog must have known. He came right to me and I feel myself calming down petting him.” I have seen many times that my dogs gravitate to a certain person who needs them the most. THIS IS WHY I VISIT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What are the Odds....?"By D
Although this a not a story about a therapy dog, it is a story worth sharing. Most people who like dogs also like horses and this is a story about a horse. I have loved horses all my life. My love for dogs is easy to understand, my whole family are dog lovers. But I’m sure my parents asked each other many times where did this horse crazy girl come from. Not that they disliked horses, they just had never owned one. When I was 12 years old, I joined a 4H Club for horses and the advisor let me use one of his horses. My parents saw that I was not going to lose interest, so when I was 13 years old they agreed I could have a horse of my own. They asked my 4H advisor to find me a horse, as they had no knowledge of what type, etc of horse I needed. I remember my 4H advisor and I went to a near by town to bring home my horse. No one was at the residence and he loaded her into the trailer. I was overjoyed that I had a horse. I could hardly wait to get home. Her name was Susie and she was a strawberry roan with a black mane and tail, white stockings, and a blaze face. I rode her day in and day out. I took her many years to the county fair and I loved her. After I left home, my younger Sister rode her. As time passed, she was sold to another family where she lived out her life. Update to April 2022. I was asked by a lady that lives on the same road that my horses are boarded at now, if I would teach her Granddaughter to ride horses. We hit it off right away. Grandmother began telling me about her horse when she was a young girl. This horse was 2 years old when she got her and she said she got bucked off a lot, but she learned to ride her.