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…
Casey’s Journey to Becoming a Registered Therapy Dog When I adopted Casey, I had no idea what to expect or how to train a blind dog. I had no idea that a dog born without eyes could run circles around sighted dogs. . . literally! Being a Border Collie with natural herding instincts, Casey always…
How It All Began A number of years ago when I was visiting my mother, she handed me a brochure about a dog therapy program. As soon as my mother saw it, she knew it would be something that would interest me. Since the brochure was about a program in a hospital, I started investigating…
Three years ago my life changed when my dog Colette and I joined Nor’wester Therapy Dogs. We were assigned to a third-grade classroom at Thomas Fitzwater Elementary School in the Upper Dublin School District. My couch potato dog, a sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, was now up and off the couch, and I was with…
Stephanie’s Story What Carol says is true…I always wanted therapy dogs in my classroom! I used to teach in a zoo, and I have always had pets in my classroom. I was so happy when Carol, Violet, and Tex were assigned to my class. I have always strongly believed that we can learn a lot…