Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 1, 2014

8

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, November 1, 2014


CALMING CURE OF THE 
CANINE

“Dogs are amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. 
They are the role model for being alive.” ~ Gilda Radner

“There is no psychiatrist in the world, like a puppy licking 
your face.” ~ Ben Williams

“Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives 
whole.” ~ Roger Caras

I have heard many accounts of patients experiencing much more successful and expedient recoveries 
because they were allowed to have the kind, curing interaction of a canine while in hospital. It truly 
pleases me to know that health care professionals recognize the physical, psychological and even 
spiritual benefits of spending time with a cuddly pup. Loving and being loved by a dog is not only a 
heart-warming, comforting experience, but dogs can also play a big part in prolonging and enhancing 
the quality of life for a healthy human being. I don’t profess to know just exactly how it works, but I 
know in my heart that dogs are God’s gift to mankind, and I take their healing powers for face value, 
based on my own experiences and the testimonies of so many others.

One example of how a canine can positively impact the health and well-being of the human, is clearly 
shown by the work of a certified health-care therapy dog. The first documented therapy dog was a 
Yorkshire Terrier named “Smoky”. Smoky had been abandoned on the battlefield in New Guinea 
during WWII, when Corporal William Wynne took him in, cared for him and gave him his name. 
That little terrier proved to be a major asset to Wynne’s military outfit, lending comfort to the troops 
and playing a part in saving their lives by running a telegraph cable through an underground pipe, 
completing in minutes what would have been a 3-day, very dangerous operation for the soldiers 
responsible for the project.

Dr. Charles Mayo (of the famed Mayo Clinic) was Corporal Wynne’s commanding officer who 
allowed Smoky to go with him on hospital rounds, to visit injured troops. The little pup’s popularity 
grew so strong, that he became the troop’s mascot and eventually continued his work for 12 years, 
even after WWII had ended. Who knew that Smoky, a would-be abandoned mutt, would become a 
famous fore-runner for a prolific program that makes a major positive impact on the lives of so many 
people today?

I once had the opportunity 
to participate in a Bark for 
Life of Arcadia event where I 
met Marianne Cortland, who 
greeted me with a warm smile at 
the “Lend a Paw Therapy Dogs” 
information booth. Marianne, 
who passed away a few months 
ago after a long battle with cancer, 
also participated in the event 
along with a gorgeous group of 
therapy dogs accompanied by 
their owner/handlers. The fact 
that dogs are used as health-care 
therapists has been common 
knowledge to me for years, but 
that was the first time I had the 
chance to meet therapy dogs in person, and I have to say it was the highlight of my day! Marianne 
was a delightful lady, and she was kind enough to share the details about how their program works.

Lend A Paw Therapy Dog’s objective is to form a network of caring individuals who are willing to 
share their animals in order to bring happiness and health to all whom they serve. They are responsible 
for training and certifying the dogs that make their mission possible. A therapy dog must be at least 1 
year old, and must meet the criteria of the required obedience training, and be capable of consistent 
harmonious interaction with humans and other dogs. Their volunteer animal assistance activities 
include, but are not limited to hospital visits, special needs centers for seniors and children as well as 
nursing home visits and school visits.

Requests for dog therapy services can come from patients, family members or facility staff members. 
Often times, a dog therapy team will even go from room to room, to see who is up for a visit. 
Interestingly enough, there are times when the therapy dog will let the handler know who needs their 
brand of therapy by pulling toward the door of their room! Group sessions are the typical scenario at 
retirement homes, where patients or residents gather together in one room to enjoy the presence of 
the therapy dogs.

Whatever the circumstances may be, therapy dogs always bring big smiles and renewed hope to those 
whom they visit. One stroke victim patient, named Dorothy, had not spoken for a year, but after a 
therapy visit from Maggie and Marianne, she somehow found the energy and desire enough to speak. 
When she did finally speak, amazingly enough, it was to say the name of the therapy dog, “Maggie”! 
That is what a caring canine can do for a stroke patient who may have never otherwise spoken again.

New Leash on Life’s “Lend a Paw Therapy Dog” program also participates in community activities 
with the local fire departments and libraries. For more information about this fabulous organization, 
visit the New Leash on Life website at nlol.org. I personally benefit in many ways from my dog’s 
company each day, but I also think there may be a time when I will be the one in need of a therapy 
dog, and I am so thankful that organizations such as Lend a Paw will be there for me. 

LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND??

Meet the distinguished Taco! He is a very small, cute, 
sweet senior Chihuahua gentleman looking for a special 
loving person or couple and a quiet home where he can 
spend the rest of his life. He has adjusted to shelter life 
but it is not the most comfortable and ideal home for a 
senior man. He is small in size, does not take up much 
space and his needs are few. Just a soft comfortable bed, 
a loving lap, and a companion to take him out for casual 
strolls in the neighborhood would make him happy.

Taco is friendly and loves the company of people and will 
greet you with a smile and a cute little wagging tail. He 
has very calm, easy going energy and a quiet, reserved 
disposition. He is not demanding, but enjoys receiving 
loving pets and sitting on laps. He also enjoys his walks, 
taking his time and exploring the world around him. 

Taco is independent and doesn’t play with other dogs, 
but he gets along well with his younger kennel mate and 
the other dogs he has met and walked with to the park. 
Another dog in the family would be fine, as long as the 
dog isn’t overly active.

Taco has short hair that is white with black patches and 
easy to care for. He is approximately 12 years old and 
qualifies for the Senior For Senior adoption discount. If 
Taco sounds like the right companion for you or someone you know, please come and meet him. 

He currently resides at the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society located at 851 E. Grand Avenue in San 
Gabriel with his roommate. We are located off San Gabriel Blvd., north of Mission and south of Las 
Tunas. 

To arrange a ‘Meet and Greet’ with Taco, please stop by any time from 10:00am to 4:30pm Tuesday 
thru Sunday. 

His adoption fee is $120 which includes his neuter surgery, a microchip, first vaccinations and a free 
wellness check-up at a participating veterinarian. He is eligible for the reduced-fee ‘Senior For Senior’ 
adoption program. Feel free to call us at (626) 286-1159 for more information on Taco. 

See our website at www.sgvhumane.org for information and photos of all our available pets. 


DogWalking & Sitting ServicesSierraMadre, Californiawww.canyoncanine.comchris@canyoncanine.comChris LeclercCanyonCanine626-355-8333 626-533-9536CCConCaCanyonCanineCanineeeieCCChris LeclercChris Leclercae,
chris@canyoncanine.com.canyoncanine.comwwwnCaSierraMadrare, CaliforCaalking&SonDogWWalking & Sitting ServicesonCa626-355-8333 62onCayeclercinnia6-533-95362eclerccanine.comanine.comani,CaliforirnanineSittingServiceseaninee
PET OF THE WEEK


HOUDINI: Animal ID #A4767011

Meet Houdini, a charismatic and composed black and tan male Shorthaired Chihuahua mix that loves to please! Houdini (A4767011) is a charming 8-year-old Chihuahua who was found as a stray in West Covina and brought into the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center on October 16th. Weighing a tiny 3 and a half pounds, Houdini is a sweet older dog with a lot of love for life still bubbling inside of him. Houdini is an adventurer who is always up for a bit of old-fashioned fun! He is outgoing and confident and friendly with other dogs. He also absolutely loves people and is an excellent walker. Houdini is ready and eager to make his escape from the shelter please be his lovely assistant and come adopt him! Houdini is the perfect mixture of calm and fun we know he will make a super indoor pet for an individual or family living in a private home, he will do wonderfully with elders or children old enough to respect his itty bitty size. To watch a video of Houdini please visit the following link: http://youtu.be/jD25rdhgeS4

To meet Houdini in person, please see him at the Baldwin Park Shelter, located at 4275 N. Elton, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (Phone: 626-430-2378 or 626-962-3577). He is available now. For any inquiries about Buster, please reference his animal ID number: A4767011. The shelter is open seven days a week, 12 pm-7 pm Monday-Thursday and 10am-5pm Friday-Sunday. This is a high-intake shelter with a great need for adoptions. For more information about Winston or the adoption process, contact United Hope for Animals Volunteer Adoption Coordinator Samantha at Samantha@hope4animals.org. To learn more about United Hope for Animals’ partnership with the Baldwin Park Shelter through its Shelter Support Program, as well as the many dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes available for adoption in local shelters, visit http://www.unitedhope4animals.org/about-us/shelter-support-program/.