spring 2015 off the couchthe pet therapy prescription · a friend’s dog so she could continue her...

Hello B&BTD members! My name is Lauren Mekal. I’ve had the honor of being The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dog’s intern during my spring semester at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ. I wanted to create the B&BTD newsletter as my internship’s final project to discuss some of the things I learned from my time here.

I guess I should start off with a little about me! I’m 21 years old, a senior and a psychology major at FDU. I’ve loved dogs (and many other animals) basically my entire life, and have always known I wanted to work with them, I just wasn’t entirely sure how.

Unfortunately, I didn’t even know pet therapy existed until I got to college. I took a psychology class that required us to do a research paper on a topic of our choice. I decided to research the use of animals in psychology, and the rest is history! I knew my dog had a special way of making me feel better, but I never knew that these benefits were scientifically proven.

Fast forward to my senior year. It’s time to start looking for an internship. I recruited my mother to help me search all of Northern Jersey for something that would allow me to work with animals and still be relevant to my psychology major. My mom was the one who stumbled onto The Bright & Beautiful website and insisted I give June a call, and I am so glad I did!

I started my official internship with B&BTD in February. I began working in the office and learning about what it truly means to be a B&BTD member. I started accompanying some of the members and their dogs on visits to facilities and assisting B&BTD’s Director of Evaluations, Kira Wright, with her therapy training classes and certification tests. I’ve heard amazing stories from members of the great work their dogs have done, one of which you can read about in this newsletter. Most importantly, I learned that you will never fully understand the healing powers of a therapy dog until you see it right in front of you. I was able to see patients’ eyes light up when their favorite therapy dog entered their room. I saw tears in their eyes as they shared memories of their own pets at home. I’ve had patients tell me that the visits from the therapy dogs are the best part of their week or month and that the visits have changed their lives.

I’ve read through hundreds of pages of scientific research that proves that therapy dogs are beneficial to people’s mental and physical health. Now, thanks to The Bright & Beautiful, I am able to say that I have witnessed these benefits with my own eyes.

Best, Lauren

Off The Couch...The Pet Therapy Prescription

All information in this publication is proprietary and may not be reproduced or distributed without consent from B&B Inc.

SPRING 2015

Paws for Thought...By Lauren Mekal, Guest Editor Lauren & Wyatt

Therapy Dog Classes at St. Barnabas Medical Center Livingston, NJ


When the 4-legged students at B&BTD’s training class at St. Barnabas learned that their course was supposed to last 6 weeks, they thought: “We can do much better than that!!” Four weeks later, the class finished. They were ready! After the first class, Kira Wright (B&BTD Director of Evaluations), Janice Varandas (a B&BTD’s certified evaluator) and Jackie Canete (St. Barnabas’ Pet Therapy Coordinator) realized they were right. These dogs were well trained in obedience and had a great connection with their handlers. I had the pleasure of attending the first and final class of the program. This was so beneficial because I was able to meet the dogs and get a good sense of their personalities and the things they had to work and improve on. By the final class, a short 4 weeks later, I saw huge improvements in the dogs and their handlers. Everyone seemed much more comfortable and enthusiastic for their certification test, which, by the way, they all passed with flying colors. I spoke to Jackie to see how the program at St. Barnabas was doing and to find out some of its hopes for the future. She told me that she would like the therapy program to continue to grow and flourish. St. Barnabas is currently looking into extending the dog’s visiting hours later into the evenings as well as expanding to allow weekend visits. Her ultimate goal is that eventually St. Barnabas will have a dog visit in the morning and a dog visit in the evening every day. Jackie also discussed how being part of the therapy program has enhanced her life and the lives of the patients at the hospital. She was a handler with her own dog until he passed away about three years ago. Jackie realized that she missed visiting with the patients so much that she decided to get re-certified with a friend’s dog so she could continue her visits until she gets a new dog of her own. Jackie: “More people approach me when I have the dog. They ask me questions about how their own dogs can become members & join the therapy program. Bright & Beautiful has been great working with St. Barnabas. I don’t think we would have half the volunteers we have now if it weren’t for the great training class.” When asked if she has noticed if the patient’s lives have been positively impacted by the program, Jackie said “You can’t explain it without seeing it yourself. They tell me, ‘it made my day’. I recently accompanied a therapy team on a visit to a girl in our pulmonary unit who had requested a special visit because she was greatly missing her pets at home. After the visit it was like everything changed.” Lauren

Riley & Will owned by Pam Tepper & Murie Nussbaum


Volume 1, Issue 3

*“The Easy Walk Harness gently discourages your dog from pulling on the leash. Easy to fit and comfortable to wear, the Easy Walk Harness makes walking enjoyable for you and your dog. The front-chest leash

attachment helps you steer your dog to the side and redirect his attention toward you. The chest strap rests across your dog’s chest instead of

putting pressure on the delicate throat, so there’s no choking or gagging. Now you can take the lead

and enjoy the freedom of a stress-free walk!” http://store.petsafe.net/easy-walk-harness

(Easy Walk® is a registered trademark of PetSafe)

The EZ Walk Harness by June Golden

We have exciting news for all our B&BTD members and especially our evaluators.

The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. Board of Directors has approved the use of the “EZ Walk Harness” as an accepted training and handling device for our therapy dogs. ONLY these harnesses will be permitted for testing and handling purposes.

I use one of these harnesses on my dog, Wyatt (seen here … isn’t he cute???). He’s very strong and pulls very hard, but will listen to my commands if I can make him listen to ME and not drag me down the street first. He’s a rescue and has a very soft, sweet personality; you can tell at times, visibly - that he’s been abused. While I think all forms of equipment can be acceptable while in the hands of an experienced trainer when used correctly and sensibly, a prong collar was simply not right for him.

I have been encouraged by many of our experienced evaluators who are also great trainers to try this harness and consider it for approval to be used in training classes. So! When Wyatt came home for the first time off a transport he had been travelling upon for 28 hours, he was a little hard to walk! One of our evaluators had sent me the harness to consider. “Oh! Look what I have!” It was like power steering. The harness straps can become loose; check them regularly & use a collar for backup with ID attached. These harnesses should not be used as a substitute for training your dog not to pull. Before you may use them on visits, you should retest with the harness and be approved with your therapy dog to use them – then we can show you the correct way to fasten and handle your dog with them. Good luck and happy harnessing!

Below is the manufacturer’s description for use & specifics.*

Wyatt Chandler in the EZ Walk Harness.

Wyatt Chandler again...


The Go Team! By Lauren Mekal


In June 2012, a raging forest fire began a few miles outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The fire continued for almost a month, leaving 300+ homes destroyed and two lives lost. Nancy Trepagnier, along with her 15 year old son, Ryan, from “Sit Means Sit Dog Training”, immediately jumped into action with their therapy dogs. They began by visiting displaced residents in local hotels, using their dogs' sweet nature and loving personalities to give the residents a much needed distraction from what was happening around them. Nancy & Ryan also brought their therapy dogs, Tabor and Snickers, to visit the firefighters between their shifts. One firefighter saw Nancy with the dogs and said "Excuse me, may I borrow one of your dogs for a minute?"

Nancy and her dog went with the firefighter. The firefighter & Tabor went into his tent and napped for 3 hours, while Nancy waited outside. When he woke he exclaimed, "that was the best I have slept in a long time." After that touching moment, Nancy realized that this could be something big. The comfort these dogs gave to the first responders was just what they needed. She went back to “Sit Means Sit Dog Training” & suggested a Therapy Dog Team.

The GO TEAM Therapy Dogs was born! Nancy contacted June at Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, and after her discussions with June, she knew that B&BTD was a perfect fit for The GO TEAM Therapy Dogs. Nancy became a member and went on to become Colorado's only Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs evaluator. Nancy continues to teach group classes through Sit Means Sit Dog Training and travels around the United States certifying handler/dog teams for The GO TEAM and B&BTD. The GO TEAM Therapy Dogs are "The Best of The Best!", according to Nancy. The GO TEAM Therapy Dogs have trained close to 200 dog/handler teams throughout the United States, with one team in Hawaii. To Nancy and all the members of The GO TEAM Therapy Dogs: “Thank you for doing what you do! It is an honor to have you as a part of The Bright & Beautiful Family.” Best, June

With just one simple touch, Molly helps in reducing stress, anxiety & most of all

loneliness, while she will bring a smile to your face.

Monkey and Fire Fighter: “The first responders work long hard days on the

front lines then come back to the tail wags & nudges of therapy dogs. “I look forward to the pups being here after a long day”.

Kodak : “And the humans told me the best stories about when they were young.”


Volume 1, Issue 3

NNJGDC Therapy Dog Meet!! By Kira Wright

Hello! A few members of the NNJGDC (North New Jersey Great Dane Club), who are also B&BTD therapy handlers, decided to start a Great Dane Therapy Meet. Our first meet was at Cheshire Home in Florham Park, NJ On December 7, 2014. We started working a few dogs at a time, BUT even a few dogs have had a great turn out. Cheshire Home allowed us to take pictures. I wanted to share the pictures with you. Thank You! Kira Wright

Kira Wright with “Mouse” on left and Rose Ann Tucker with “Kingston” on the right bring cheer to a patient at Cheshire home.


The Adventures of Sawyer By Lauren Mekal


Sawyer was a rescue dog who was passed around quite a bit, but that all changed when Sawyer and Tina found each other! Tina Carey became Sawyer’s fifth owner when he was only five months old. He had a severe case of mange and Tina worked hard for almost a year to get him healthy again.

Now, Sawyer does therapy work in nursing homes, schools and his local library and has also worked with deaf and autistic children.

He became Search and Rescue Certified in September of 2012 and in November of 2013, Sawyer and Tina became the first Search and Rescue Team in our nation for the Civil Air Patrol (Air Force Auxiliary). Sawyer is also a Wilderness Live Find dog and is cross trained in cadaver. Tina and Sawyer, thank you for your great work!

Tina Carey & Sawyer

Sawyer, the Therapy Dog.

Last month he took his first plane ride with the Civil Air Patrol in the Cessna!

Therapy Dog Vests By June Golden Our Vendor for therapy dog vests has retired—Thank you Tracy for years of fine work! We have a new connection, Raspberry Field ! You can reach them direct at 503-661-2284, where Curtis is ready to help you! The vests are red (therapy dog color) with our logo embroidered on the back. You may also email Curtis at: [email protected]—he will guide you with your therapy dog vest info. Have your B&BTD member number ready so he can verify your membership!


Volume 1, Issue 3

The Art of Dog Toys By Lauren Mekal At first, Isabelle Kuhn seems like your average 4th grader. She enjoys karate, Girl Scouts, swimming, and softball. However, Isabelle has a very special hobby. She creates beautiful, durable dog toys by hand. I met Isabelle at one of B&BTD’s certification tests where she was assisting one of B&BTD’s certified evaluators, Janice Varandas. I walked into the room and saw Isabelle braiding and knotting pieces of fabric together and I just had to ask her what she was up to!

Isabelle started making her dog toys in October for her new puppy. “We wanted to make her toys that were safe to play with and personal”, Isabelle told me. She and her mom sat down and began looking up videos on YouTube to get an idea of how to start making these toys. Isabelle takes old cut up tee-shirts or fleece fabric and 4-way braids them, which is what gives her toys the square shape and stretchy durability.

“The nice thing about making our own toys is that you can try different designs to see what works best for each dog. My dog Xena likes to play with ropes that are half done! It makes it difficult some times when I am working on one and she decides to ‘help me’.”

Isabelle doesn’t just make these toys for her own dog; she also makes them for friends and to help fundraise for local animal shelters. Isabelle’s guidance counselor loved the idea so much that she has arranged to have Isabelle and her best friend teach other kids in 4th and 5th grade at their school to make them.

Isabelle says she is definitely interested in making a special batch of her toys specifically for B&BTD members, but it will have to wait until the school year is over. Don’t worry B&BTD members, we will keep you updated and let you know when Isabelle is ready to start selling her toys.

Isabelle, you are truly inspiring! Your hard work and dedication to helping animals is very much appreciated by everyone over at B&BTD.

Keep up the good work!

Luka says “it’s mine...all mine!”

Isabelle’s Brilliant Toy!

Lauren’s dog, Luka tries out the wonder toy.


Contributions to “Off the Couch” are welcome and may be sent to [email protected]!

GET THAT DOG OFF THE COUCH!


SPRING 2015

80 Powder Mill Road Morris Plains, NJ 07950

The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc.

Phone: 888-738-5770 Fax: 973-292-9559

e-mail: [email protected]

T H E B R I G H T & B E A U T I F U L T H E R A P Y DO G S , I N C .

we’re on the web ! www.golden-dogs.org

B&BTD Board of Directors:

June Golden, Chairman of the Board,

Executive Director, Founder

Hazel Wichman, Board of Directors

Peter Ceru, Board of Directors

Debbie Perrotta, Board of Directors

Joanne Silver, Board of Directors

Wendy Wojtaszek, Board of Directors

June Fisher-Markowitz, Board of Directors

Kira Wright, Board of Directors

Patty Vandenbos, Board Secretary

Advisory Council

June Golden, Executive Director

Lauren Mekal, Guest Editor,

“Off The Couch” Newsletter

Kira Wright, Director of Evaluators

Dr. Karen Dashfield, DVM, Veterinarian

Barbara Edwards, Esq., Legal Counsel

Reverend George N. Gavin, Interfaith Minister

Bette Weinstein Kaplan, Public Relations

Joseph Matheson, CPA, Accounting

Peter Campione, Training Advisor

Chip Griggs, Webmaster

spring 2015 off the couchthe pet therapy prescription · a friend’s dog so she could continue her...

Documents