More letters from the kids. . . Patrick makes me more happy and more confident when he’s around. He’s good to have near because he’s soft and gives confidence and happiness. That’s why I like having Patrick around. Grant Patrick has been a very good therapy dog. He has helped me by making me overcome…
By Shelby Wetzel Crawford and her kids More letters from the kids. . . Patrick is something that I look forward to because I had a dog come in my classroom before. It is so cool to have a dog in your classroom. I like Patrick coming into my class. Scarlett Patrick is so amazing…
Sue Oakes of Oakes K9 Training and Kathy Gardosh are both evaluators who are certified to do the AKC Canine Good Citizen and the Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs tests. Sue has over 30 years of experience training dogs and specializes in canine behavioral cases. She is a former certified animal control officer and a…
By Mrs. Shelby Wetzel Crawford and her kids Mrs. Shelby Wetzel Crawford, teacher, writes: “Ms. Kathy and Patrick have been an amazing highlight of our year in second grade. The students constantly ask when they will be coming and if they could come more often. They look forward to studying with Patrick, reading with him,…
Our volunteers were invited to our annual Appreciation Breakfast to express the organization’s gratitude for their commitment to our therapy dog program. This year we held the celebration at Corner Bakery Café in Newtown, PA. During the gathering we present annual certificates of service and do special recognition for five and ten year honorees. We…
Free eye exams!? Yes, many of our Nor’wester therapy dogs were fortunate to receive free sight-preserving screenings in May. Each year the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) collaborates with StokesRx to offer free ocular-screening eye exams to qualified service, working, and therapy dogs. This philanthropic event benefits formally trained service, working, and therapy dogs…
Last year the five-week Nor’wester Therapy Dogs summer public library visits at Northampton and Southampton were rousing successes! The librarians shared wonderful feedback from the parents and told us how much the children enjoyed participating. The Free Library of Northampton Township in Richboro, PA is currently developing its summer program and plans to offer it…
Therapy dogs are an amazing teaching tool and help teachers reach students who have learning challenges of all types. The Nor’wester organization was happy to step up to provide a therapy dog team when Kate Irizarry, lead teacher of special education at Maple Point Middle School, asked for support. A class was chosen, and Heidi,…
Often our teachers tell us wonderful stories of the impact their visiting therapy dog has upon their class and individual students. The Nor’wester Therapy Dogs organization encourages our handlers and host teachers to always share the magic that happens when students achieve by the side of their therapy dog. Katie Veneziale from Pennsbury School District…
Nothing is more stressful on a college campus than exam time. To help reduce the student stress level, BCCC’s Newtown campus has collaborated with the Nor’wester Therapy Dog organization to offer the Comfort Dogs on Campus program since the Spring semester of 2018. Our organization works with Jennifer Osinski, Deborah Hoelper, and Susan Paciolla of…