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Maybe your dog has not passed an OTD evaluation yet or maybe, like mine, isn‘t keen on listening or being trained … But, we know that our dogs in their hearts are all therapy dogs. Even on our worst days, they will make us smile, laugh, maybe groan, but nonetheless toy with our emotions. What is even more amazing about our furry friends is that they can illicit these feelings from a stranger, an acquaintance, a good friend or the people our dedicated volunteers visit across Ottawa. It is in this spirit that the Forever Friends Project was established.
It is often with great sadness and a heavy heart that we mention the passing of a pet. Out of sorrow, sometimes the seeds of goodness grow. The Forever Friends Project was created by OTD to offer solace to pet owners through a legacy of support to OTD teams. Every dog‘s memory will live on through the ongoing work of therapy dog teams who visit hospitals, retirement homes, palliative care centres, schools and other facilities to provide joy and support to people of all ages.
The Forever Friends Memory page contains a link to a tribute gift. By giving to OTD in memoriam, we will send a specially designed card and personalized letter to the dog‘s family, offering condolences and letting them know that their pet will live on because of this gift. The family is welcome to post a photo of the dog with a tribute should they wish to do so.
The Fund provides donors with a way of extending sympathy to the dog owner in a personal manner without being invasive. The loss of a pet not only affects the owner but also those who have developed a relationship with them. We look at this project as a gracious way of communicating in a way that our words alone might not express.
On a personal note, I had hoped that the project would be established and we would have no one contact us as that would mean no one has had to suffer the loss of their pet. However, having recently visited a family grieving the loss of their dog, I see how much a tribute gift would have allowed me to express my feelings beyond the choked ―I‘m sorry‖ I could muster.
The weather was beautiful for a walk
and the number of people who
turned out with their dogs reflected
that. We had a steady stream of
visitors at our OTD booth who kept
our volunteers busy answering
questions and selling t-shirts. Lots of
fun was had by all.
Stephanie Gray, posted this neat pic of Boomer on OHS’s Facebook page/
Thanks to all OTD members who
volunteered or helped at the OTD
booth
Hockey and I really enjoy our visits at Lanark Lodge in Perth. One of our favourite experiences involves a resident we met 1-1/2 years ago, when we first started visiting. I introduced Hockey to a resident who started chatting with the dog, patting him and telling him what a good boy he was.
Later, a nurse chased us down the hall to let us know that this resident had not spoken to anyone for a long time although he just couldn't stop talking to Hockey. This is what it's all about!
I can't believe how excited Hockey gets when it's Wednesday. He knows that is when he gets to go and visit with his new friends. Staff and residents welcome Hockey by name and everyone has made it such a wonderful experience. Both Hockey and I want to thank OTD for allowing us to be so rewarded each time we visit.
After being teased by Carole at the AGM recently about not owning a “real” dog (merely the imaginary kind), I’d like to make it known that the R.E.A.D. program clearly has had an impact on our family. Recently, I found my four-year-old sitting on the floor pretending to read to his stuffed Bernese Mountain dog - a future R.E.A.D. team in training!
News on the R.E.A.D. front
In addition to the CBC’s coverage of our Sunnyside library program in February, a Carleton journalism student, William Burr, wrote a full-page article about OTD’s R.E.A.D. program in the OSCAR and produced an excellent audio piece for his blog. Both are available on our website under “News & Events,” so if you haven’t had a chance to check them out, please do!
Evaluator, Jeannie Stafford, looks on as Amy Bernier (8) reads to Jordy & Connie Edlund. (Photo courtesy of Jason Rusmisel)
Our latest R.E.A.D. Orientation and subsequent Evaluation in March were huge successes thanks to many wonderful OTD (and child) volunteers. The teams were evaluated in the midst of a very noisy and energetic reconstruction of school chaos in the gymnasium at Lady Evelyn Alternative School (which was kind enough to donate the use of the facility). All six teams passed with flying colours. Our newest teams are: Nyam Bann & Calypso; Heather Dunbar & Max; Claire Laroche & Marcus; Sandra Luken & Maya; Sylvie Laferriere & Bella; and Connie Edlund & Jordy. We are also happy to welcome Rosemary Chisholm & Tara to the R.E.A.D. fold.
It’s shaping up to be a busy summer with book club visits and library programs in the works for the Chelsea branch of the Ottawa Public Library as well as the newly-renovated Ruth E. Dickenson branch in Barrhaven. We are also testing a 10-week pilot project in one-on-one tutoring this summer with a local student.
And before school begins in September, Chantel Hutter will be giving a workshop on the logistics behind teaching children how to read, focusing on strategies that R.E.A.D. teams can use to make the most of their canine companions when working with readers who are struggling with the process.
One last note
As demand for our library programs increases, I’ve been trying to come up with a tag or name to use when promoting the program that captures the magic of R.E.A.D. Other therapy dog groups use names such as “Library Dogs” or “Paws to Read” and I’m looking for suggestions.
Hockey and I really enjoy our visits at Lanark Lodge in Perth. One of our favourite experiences involves a resident we met 1-1/2 years ago, when we first started visiting. I introduced Hockey to a resident who started chatting with the dog, patting him and telling him what a good boy he was.
Later, a nurse chased us down the hall to let us know that this resident had not spoken to anyone for a long time although he just couldn't stop talking to Hockey. This is what it's all about!
I can't believe how excited Hockey gets when it's Wednesday. He knows that is when he gets to go and visit with his new friends. Staff and residents welcome Hockey by name and everyone has made it such a wonderful experience. Both Hockey and I want to thank OTD for allowing us to be so rewarded each time we visit.
Maybe your dog has not passed an OTD evaluation yet or maybe, like mine, isn‘t keen on listening or being trained … But, we know that our dogs in their hearts are all therapy dogs. Even on our worst days, they will make us smile, laugh, maybe groan, but nonetheless toy with our emotions. What is even more amazing about our furry friends is that they can illicit these feelings from a stranger, an acquaintance, a good friend or the people our dedicated volunteers visit across Ottawa. It is in this spirit that the Forever Friends Project was established.
