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By Patrick Tepoorten
Dogs have long been valued for their ability to take commands and their affectionate personalities. Therapy and service dogs take those traits to a whole new level to soothe and assist everyone from their owners to complete strangers.
Amanda Babou (left), 15, brought her Shi Tzu Mimi to the program. Mimi is a frequent visitor to the St. Croix House at the Villages of North Branch. Here, Davin Hoffard gives Mimi a scratch.
We ‘R’ Able, together with the Support Group for Adults with Disabilities, hosted a therapy and service dog seminar at the Chisago County Senior Center in North Branch last Wednesday, much to the thrill of those in attendance.
Four owners with the canine companions spoke about therapy dogs and service dogs, offered demonstrations, and offered their animals in a therapy capacity to all.
A Puppy Love trained hearing and service dog, Alvin, a three-year-old Corgi, was a hit with its ability retrieve dropped items, and alert to door knocking and name calling. Alvin also alerts to smoke alarms, telephones, and doorbells, and responds by touching its owner and taking them to the sound.
Puppy Love’s Grete Krause said it takes from two to three years to train such a dog, and that they have proven to be of great value to their owners.
Amanda Babou, 15, talked about her three-year-old therapy dog, Mimi, which she trained through Isanti County 4-H. Babou’s mother, Barb Day, explained a little about what Mimi and other therapy dogs do.
“They go to hospitals and nursing homes, and visit with patients and people who need cheering up,” she said.
Day explained that many times people in those situations have lost their pets or aren’t allowed to have them, or aren’t able to get out much. In those cases, the specially trained dogs can be of great comfort.
For more information on Puppy Love, go to: www.puppyloveinc.org.
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