Tag Archives: assistance dogs

Programs that encourage kids to read to animals

Thor at work
Thor, hard at work Photo: Steve Bacon @OdinKnowz

I have a friend who takes his dock-diving champion dog Thor to local elementary schools every week to help kids learn to read without the fear of a listener making fun of them when they stumble over words. One of his students told him that she brought her reading grade from a D to a B since reading to Thor.

Recently, the ASPCA’s ProBlog ran a feature on this topic. Here’s what they had to say: Continue reading Programs that encourage kids to read to animals

Flying Home for Christmas Just Got a Little Bit Easier

United PawsUnited Airlines announced they are deploying comfort dogs to major airports throughout the country to make traveling at Christmas a little less onerous. According to a press release, United Paws, a program designed to deliver smiles to customers, brings professionally trained comfort dogs to airports in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark and Washington/Dulles. The United Paws crews will greet customers from Dec. 21 through Dec. 23, each day between 9 a.m. and noon and between 1 and 4 p.m.
Continue reading Flying Home for Christmas Just Got a Little Bit Easier

Rescue, the Assistance Dog

Photo courtesy Kensky and Downes, by way of NPR.org.
Photo courtesy Kensky and Downes, by way of NPR.org.
Today, the Boston Marathon continued its proud tradition of attracting the best of the best to the city to compete in one of the most famous races in the world. Of course, with the calamitous ending to last year’s race, this one will be extra special.
Continue reading Rescue, the Assistance Dog

America’s VetDogs

Prison PuppiesI just love it when several organizations partner together to produce really cool outcomes! The America’s VetDogs program partners prisons in Massachusetts and Maryland with the Guide Dog Foundation from New York to produce dogs trained to assist vets who were disabled in the service.
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Help Canines for Disabled Kids earn a $1,000 Grant

Crazy PetWORCESTER, MA – A dog can make a big difference in a kid’s life — but having a canine companion can be a life-changing event for a child with a disability who gets paired with a trained service dog.

Matthew has Asperger’s Syndrome, a condition that makes it difficult and terrifying to go out in public and interact with people. After he received his service dog, “Quincy,” the 8-year-old started coming out of his shell and his precocious intelligence began to shine. “I love my dog because he helps me with a lot of things that sometimes I can’t control,” said Matt. “Sometimes I’m crying in a crowd, and Quincy helps me a ton by licking and kissing me so I feel better. He helps me talk to people.”
Continue reading Help Canines for Disabled Kids earn a $1,000 Grant