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November 11, 2008

Therapy-dog graduates ready to give loving companionship

By Jean Cole The News Courier Tue Nov 11, 2008, 09:18 PM CST

A smile crept across Erma Weigart’s face when Miss Sophie the Yorkshire Terrier sat on her lap, looked into her face and licked her.

Erma gave the tiny, redheaded canine a careful hug with one arm.

In minutes, the two were fast friends.

Miss Sophie is a therapy dog – a dog that visits people in hospitals, special-needs centers, schools and nursing homes. She is one of nine dogs who recently graduated from therapy dog training at House of Paws K9 Obedience Academy in Athens.

On Tuesday, Miss Sophie and a fellow classmate, Mr. Piper the West Island White Terrier, visited residents of Limestone Lodge in Athens. The two dogs flanked Erma on a sofa in the lobby.

“I love doggies,” said Weigart, who is 94.

Mr. Piper, a handsome and well-mannered Westie owned by Sharyl Groscost of Athens, drew the attention of resident 88-year-old Morris Ball.

“I just love them,” Ball said of the therapy dogs as he petted the 3-year-old Westie. “They have visited before. I love little dogs and pretty girls.”

Ball was raised on a farm in the Thach community where there were dogs of every kind. So, the visit Tuesday triggered happy memories for him of dogs, his mom and life on the farm.

“My mother — Ella Beatrice Ball — loved dogs and would never be without one,” he said. “We had hunting dogs and play dogs and cattle dogs. We’d go out and tell the dog to bring a cow up and she’d bring it up. Mom would let them come inside and sit by the fire. She would do anything for them and they loved her, too. You couldn’t run our dogs off.”

Being a good therapy dog is about personality, not pedigree.

Any breed of dog can become a therapy dog as long as he or she is age 1 or older, healthy, well mannered, not aggressive and fond of human contact.

“The therapy dogs who graduated in June ranged from Sophie to a German Shepherd,” Wilbanks said.

Knowing tricks is not a requirement but it is a great icebreaker.

Mr. Piper took center stage by showing some residents how he could sit all the way up and stay.

More dogs needed

There is a need for more therapy dogs, Wilbanks said.

To find out if your dog could be one, call her at (256) 777-3388 or send her e-mail at i-love-dogs.com

She can take you along on a visit to see if you like the experience. If you do, you would be introduced to a tester and observer. The tester/observer would evaluate your dog’s reaction to other dogs and strangers, assess your dog’s basic obedience skills and observe your dog’s response to all kinds of petting. If your dog needs more obedience training, you can get it. Once your dog passes the test, you pay a membership fee and your dog receives a red, heart-shaped tag that reads: “I am a therapy dog” and you receive a card for your wallet. As a member, you are covered by Therapy Dog Inc.’s liability insurance in case your dog injures someone.

Being a therapy dog owner involves an investment of time and zero pay.

However, those who volunteer do it for the happiness and sense of purpose it brings their dogs and the smiles it brings to the faces of those they visit.