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…
Carol Van Sant joined Nor’wester Therapy Dogs in 2018 and received her first assignment for the 2018-2019 school year. Carol was partnered with Stephanie Lucci-May, a Pennsbury elementary school teacher and ardent dog lover. Carol and Stephanie met for the first time at an introductory session in Stephanie’s empty classroom. It was both Carol’s and…
Did you know that your therapy dog can earn official AKC (American Kennel Club) therapy dog titles? While the title is just a piece of paper, it is symbolic of the commitment and volunteer hours you spend in partnership with your therapy dog. There are five titles your dog can earn based on the number…
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…
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