Becky Weiss and her Labrador Retriever, Laila, are a Nor’wester therapy team that volunteers at Center School in Willow Grove.  Becky and her teacher, Diana McGeady, have collaborated virtually to keep therapy dog visits going and alive for their class.  On her birthday last week, Laila decided to send a message to the children asking them to help her celebrate. 

It is creative collaborations like this that keeps our Nor’wester program alive during the pandemic. 

Happy Birthday Laila!

Meet Nor’wester therapy dog Nilla! Some of our therapy dog teams will be working remotely with their host teachers while students continue online education. Our organization is thrilled that we are able to continue to offer our canine partners in education program virtually until it is safe to return to in person visits.   

Dear Friends and Supporters:

Please consider making a donation to Nor’wester Therapy Dogs so that we can continue to grow our program and services. It is people like you who help us keep the therapy dog magic alive for students who are struggling socially, emotionally, and academically.  If you prefer not to donate via the Facebook Giving Tuesday campaign, you may donate via our website or send a check to:

Thanking you in advance for your generosity.

by Jan Reisen 

Published on American Kennel Club website: July 31, 2019 

Dogs have been aiding and working with humans since ancient times, in everything from farming to hunting to protection and more. Service dogs, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs all fulfill important roles in their aid to humans, but the terms are not interchangeable: each is specifically defined, both in terms of their jobs and their legal rights.

What Do Service Dogs Do?

As defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are individually trained to perform specific tasks and to work with people with disabilities. According to the ADA, disabilities can be “physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.” The work of the service dog must be directly related to the handler’s disability. These are just some of the things a service dog can do:

Guide dogs help blind people navigate in the world.

Hearing (or signal) dogs alert deaf people to sounds, such as a knock on the door or a person entering the room.

Psychiatric dogs are trained to detect and lessen the effects of a psychiatric episode.

Service dogs help those in wheelchairs or who are otherwise physically limited. They may open doors or cabinets, fetch things their handler can’t reach, and carry items for their handler.

Autism assistance dogs are trained to help those on the autism spectrum to distinguish important sensory signals, such as a smoke alarm, from other sensory input. They may also alert their handler to repetitive behaviors or overstimulation.

Service dogs that are trained to recognize seizures and will stand guard over their handler during a seizure or go for help.

What Rights Do Service Dogs Have?

The ADA mandates that service dogs have full public access rights, which means they are allowed to go places where are animals are forbidden. They can be brought into restaurants, stores, libraries, and other public spaces. They must be permitted in housing, even if other pets are not allowed. Service dogs are also allowed on airplanes and other public transport. One caveat: each airline has its own rules regarding service dogs. Most require that the dog sits on the traveler’s lap or at their feet. Dogs cannot block the aisle or sit in the emergency exit row. Service dogs are exempt from the pet fees that airlines charge.

What Do Emotional Support Animals Do?

Emotional support dogs are not considered service dogs under the ADA. They may be trained for a specific owner, but they are not trained for specific tasks or duties to aid a person with a disability, and this is the main difference between ESAs and service dogs. This doesn’t minimize the support these dogs provide for people with a psychological disorder. They’re considered companion animals and ease anxiety, depression, some phobias, and loneliness.  In order to be considered an emotional support dog, it must be prescribed by a mental health professional for a patient with a diagnosed psychological or emotional disorder, such as anxiety disorder, major depression, or panic attacks.

What Rights Do Emotional Support Animals Have?

Unlike service dogs, ESAs have only limited legal rights and those typically require a letter of diagnosis from the owner’s doctor or psychiatrist. While they don’t have unlimited access to public spaces, the Fair Housing Act mandates “reasonable accommodations” for emotional support animals even in buildings that don’t allow pets. The Air Carrier Access Act requires airlines to allow ESAs on flights, but travelers must have a letter from a doctor or licensed therapist. There may be additional requirements as well. Because so many people abuse the concept of an emotional support animal, including the traveler who tried to bring an “emotional support peacock” on board a United Airlines flight, airlines are tightening restrictions on emotional support animals. We can expect other commercial and public spaces to follow.

What is a Therapy Dog?

Therapy dogs play a different helping role than service dogs and emotional support animals. They aren’t trained to live with a specific handler. Rather, these are dogs that — with their human teammate (often the dog’s owner) — volunteer in clinical settings, such as hospitals, mental health institutions, hospices, schools, and nursing homes, where they provide comfort, affection, and even love in the course of their work. Therapy dogs are trained to be comfortable in new environments and to interact with different people. They should have a calm temperament, be unfazed by unfamiliar noises and movements, be comfortable being handled, and love people.

Do Therapy Dogs Have Legal Rights?

Although they are defined as comfort dogs and often used in therapeutic settings, therapy dogs are not considered service dogs under the ADA and don’t have the same legal right to access in public spaces. There are no uniform state or national rules that regulate and certify therapy dogs, and different organizations have different guidelines. As a general rule, therapy dogs should be trained, insured, and licensed by the non-profit that’s offering their services.

Can My Dog Be a Therapy Dog?

If you’re interested in volunteering and think your dog may be a great candidate to be a therapy dog, organizations like the Alliance of Therapy Dogs test dog for their suitability and, if accepted, have guidelines that must be followed.

While it doesn’t certify therapy dogs, the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program offers their training program to organizations, and the CGC test is often a prerequisite required by therapy dog organizations.

Nor’wester’s public library liaison & coordinator, Lynn Lenz, worked with librarians Sarah Ravapinto and Christy Lazzarino to offer a six week vacation program of READ TO THE DOGS at the Richboro public library. The program started on June 27^th and ran weekly on Thursdays through August 8^th. Therapy dogs were provided by the Nor’wester organization and drew a large crowd each week. A special thank you to Lynn Lenz, the librarians, and all the therapy dog teams who joined the children and their parents for a relaxing and enjoyable reading hour.

Sarah Ravapinto, Lynn Lenz, Christy Lazzarino (left to right)

Reading to Cooper who makes a great pillow

Kerrigan listens to a good book

Elizabeth Hayes and Rachel, the Bearded Collie, helped give confidence to their readers

Howard Barkan and Winnie enjoy hearing a story

Judy Eckenrode and her Border Collie, Casey, are library regulars and can always be found in the children’s corner on Read to the Dogs days.

Kelly Wolff and Miss Daisy have been volunteering with the Nor’wester organization for eleven years and love spending time with children. 

Nor’wester Therapy Dogs receives donations through the Amazon Smile program, which donates 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products. Just by shopping at smile.amazon.com, you can donate to us!

On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you are prompted to select a charitable organization from our list of eligible organizations. You can change your selection at any time.

To change your charitable organization:

1. Sign in to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser.
2. From your desktop, go to Your Account from the navigation at the top of any page, and then select the option to Change your Charity. Or, from your mobile browser, select Change your Charity from the options at the bottom of the page.
3. Select a new charitable organization to support.

If you use the Amazon App, follow these instructions:

1. Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
2. Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into ‘Settings’
3. Tap ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process

If you do not have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app, update your app. Click here for instructions.

For more information about the AmazonSmile program, go to http://smile.amazon.com/about.

One of the most frequent questions we get is from owners who want to know how they can get their dog certified to work as a registered therapy dog. 

We have learned over the years that the most important thing is a well socialized dog.  Proper socialization creates a relaxed, confident, well-adjusted, and happy canine, one that is comfortable in a wide variety of environments.  Socialization does not just happen; it takes a serious commitment on the part of the owner to expose the dog regularly to traveling in the car, interacting with people of all ages, other dogs, and to strange sights and sounds.

It is strongly recommended that socialization be done in 5 different venues per week. Some prime locations for socializing dogs are outdoor malls, flea markets, sporting events, walking in towns like Newtown or Doylestown, canine training classes, pet stores, Peddler’s Village, and at the entrance to high traffic places like Rita’s Water Ice and grocery stores. Use your imagination, but always be safe!

It is important to reinforce and emphasize good manners while socializing your dog.  The owner needs to separate dog socialization from working socialization.  While you are exposing your dog to different environments, remember to insist that your dog walk past another dog calmly and/or sit by your side while in the presence of another dog.  This will make it easier when you navigate this portion of the therapy dog test as well as when you work in group therapy visits.  Dogs should learn to walk on a loose leash and not be allowed to jump on people.  Even small dogs should not be allowed to jump on people.

Therapy dogs destined to work in schools should be comfortable and confident with children. Likewise, therapy dogs who will be working in nursing homes and hospitals should be gentle with the elderly and ill, and unafraid of medical equipment and assistive devices.

Some of the environments and situations where therapy dogs work includes schools, college campuses, hospitals, nursing homes, with war veterans, hospice, and crisis intervention.  Therapy dogs also visit public libraries, special needs camps, and community groups such as the Girl Scouts.

The Nor’wester Therapy Dogs organization requires our handlers to complete the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/training-testing/  as part of their dog’s preparation for therapy dog testing.

If you feel your dog is ready for the CGC test, some local testers are listed at https://norwestertherapydogs.org/get-involved/therapy-dog-certification/  for your convenience. In addition, CGC testing is often available at AKC sanctioned dog shows and through local dog training organizations. There is no age restriction for CGC testing. 

Many dog training organizations offer therapy dog classes prior to testing. These classes are often helpful for novice dog handlers because they offer guidance in preparation for testing and for working as a therapy dog. However, classes are not required. If an experienced owner feels his/her dog is ready, arrangements can be made with a therapy dog organization or evaluator to have the dog tested.  It is important to understand that the test is as much an evaluation of the handler as it is the dog, and the pair are certified as a team.

On some therapy dog organization websites, you can review the test used by that respective organization. Dogs are required to be at least one year old before they are eligible to be tested.  If an adult dog is adopted, then that dog may not test until it has been owned by the handler for a minimum of 6 months. 

The two main therapy dog organizations which most of our handlers test with are:

Alliance of Therapy Dogs:  https://www.therapydogs.com/

Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs: http://www.golden-dogs.org/

Starting socialization and training is easier with puppies, but many owners adopt adult dogs who are sometimes suitable candidates for therapy dog work.  Because it is likely the past socialization/training history of the dog is unknown, it is recommended that owners diligently socialize and train the same as they would with a puppy.  Enrolling in obedience classes is always a great way to get a good feel for the temperament of an adopted adult canine.  

It is extremely rewarding to prepare your dog for therapy dog testing. The time spent socializing and training strengthens your bond and enhances your effectiveness as a therapy dog team.  The Nor’wester Therapy Dogs organization is always available to answer any questions you may have.

SOME GREAT DOG-THEMED BOOKS FOR STUDENTS

It’s summertime and a great time to catch up on pleasure reading. Our therapy dogs recommended some wonderful dog stories and encourage you to visit your local public library!

The Nor’wester therapy dogs will be visiting the Free Library at Northampton Township in Richboro on Thursdays now through August 8 from 1 to 2 p.m.

Stop by and read to the dogs!

PICTURE BOOKS:

Bad Dog Marley by John Grogran (about loving a dog even though he’s trouble)

Bark George by Jules Fifer

Before You Were Mine by Maribeth Boelts (addresses adoption)

Buddy Unchained by Daisy Bix (addresses rescuing a dog from a neglectful owner)

Clifford, The Big Red Dog by Normal Bridwell (a fun and popular series)

Dog Breath by Dave Pilkey (a dog with bad breath ends up saving the day!)

Help Me Mr. Mutt: Answers for Dogs with People Problems by Janet Stevens & Susan Stevens Crummel

It’s Hard to Read a Map with a Beagle on Your Lap by Marilyn Singer (poetry)

Martha Walks the Dog by Susan Meddaugh (Martha solves a bully problem with kindness)

Murphy and Kate by Ellen Howard (addresses losing a dog to death)

Rugby and Rosie by Nan Parson Rossiter (a family raises a seeing-eye dog)

Some Dog by Mary Cassanova (a dog worries that he’s not important anymore)

Superdog: Heart of a Hero by Caralyn and Mark Buehner (a dog is a hero despite what others say)

The Old Woman Who Named Things by Cynthia Rylant (a lonely old woman refuses to get close to anyone she could outlive — then a dog comes along and works his way into her heart)

CHAPTER BOOKS:

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Shiloh by Phyllis Reynold Naylor

Sounder by William Howard Armstrong (sad ending)

Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner

The Captain’s Dog by Roland Smith (Lewis and Clark through the eyes of a dog)

The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be by Farley Mowat

Tornado by Betsy Byars

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (sad ending)

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 who support the well-being of the individuals they serve. 

ACVO board-certified diplomates and StokesRx, with other sponsors and non-profit supporters, have been offering this service for eleven years.  Dr. Bill Miller, the founder of the program, recognized the good that was being done by so many veterinary ophthalmologist specialists who were already donating eye exams, and he decided to create a national platform to help expand these individual efforts.

Approximately 67,625 animals have received these free screening exams over the past eleven years, and over 300 veterinary specialists volunteer their time and facilities annually. About 8,000 eye exams are provided across America, Canada, and Puerto Rico each May.

The program’s goals are to:

1. Preserve the sight of those who serve us selflessly.
2. Strengthen referral relationships with general practice veterinarians.
3. Benefit those who rely on service animals, both individuals and society.

Dr. Martha Low, board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist at CARES in Middletown, has been a participant in this program for years.  “I love participating in this event,” says Dr. Low. “It allows us to really see the impact of our work and provides screening for early detection of ocular diseases. With early detection, diseases that can potentially cause blindness may be caught early and treated early, helping these important service animals keep their vision.”  During the exam, Dr. Low first performs indirect ophthalmoscopy to evaluate the retina, optic nerve, and back of the eye.

Then she uses a slit lamp biomicroscope to examine the eyelids, cornea, iris, and lens for cataracts.  Many aging dogs with cloudiness in their eyes actually have nuclear (lenticular) sclerosis and not cataracts.

After the exam, all dogs receive a complimentary neck bandana. Heidi and Hannah happily pose wearing their bandanas, with Dr. Low’s vet tech who assisted in the exam.

The Nor’wester Therapy Dog organization wishes to thank Dr. Low, CARES, and the ACVO/StokesRX collaboration that provides such a valuable service.  Remember, if YOU have a working service or therapy dog next spring, you are eligible to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.