News

Dog Training Needed More Than Ever During Pandemic

May 6, 2020

CHILHOWIE, Va. — Spending time with pets can be a bright spot amid COVID-19 restrictions, and that may be keeping a local dog trainer busier than ever. Paula Shupe, certified master canine trainer in Chilhowie, Virginia, said she gets two or three emails each day from people who report they have adopted dogs and puppies. […]

Assistance Dog Learns To Do Washing And Gardening For Horwich Woman

May 6, 2020

MEET Sailor, a lively, charismatic pup who can do the washing, drying, and gardening. It might sound like a dream come true to have such a useful dog around the house, but his help is a lifeline for one Horwich woman. Sailor lives with Caroline Hall, 41, who has struggled with mobility issues since suffering a […]

Trained Service Dog Lends An Ear To Newport Resident With Severe Hearing Loss

May 6, 2020

When Newport Beach resident Lisa Westerhout goes out in public, there’s only one thing that sets her apart from the denizens around her — a 3-year-old Golden/Labrador Retriever mix named Arrow, who sports a blue vest emblazoned with a gold logo. Canine Companions for Independence, it reads. It’s not a fashion statement so much as an […]

My Pet Rabbit Helps Me Live With Parkinson’s

May 6, 2020

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” ― Anatole France Dogs can help as emotional and physical support animals for humans with various disabilities and chronic illnesses, including Parkinson’s. These animals help make life easier for their humans and improve their quality of life. Rabbits can’t be classified as support […]

Therapy Dog Bringing Comfort During Pandemic

May 5, 2020

He can’t give a diagnosis or lead an operation, but Eduardo has an important role at Massachusetts General Hospital during the coronavirus pandemic. The hospital gave a shout-out to Eduardo, one of their therapy dogs, on Twitter Sunday and encouraged others to post pictures of their pets offering comfort during social distancing. “Our therapy dogs […]

Hero Dog Award

May 5, 2020

A local mobility service animal and his military family hope their community will help them beat out several other canines to win a coveted national award. S.D. Gunner, who has assisted Army veteran and Richmond Hill resident Sgt. Hamilton Kinard since June 2013, is up for an American Humane Hero Dog Award. The award is […]

Therapy Dogs Make Virtual Visits

May 5, 2020

These pups won’t let a pandemic stop them from bringing a smile to young hospital patients. At the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the dog therapy program has adapted to make sure their lineup of 127 four-legged friends can still visit patients, families and staff, even if via a computer screen. For the organizers — who haven’t […]

Therapy Dog Is A Star On TikTok

May 5, 2020

A therapy dog from Minneapolis is a rising star on TikTok, with feel-good videos that are getting millions of views. Ellie the golden retriever is lifting the spirits of people around the world who are stuck at home during this pandemic. “Total views, it’s probably somewhere over 20 million,” said Kevin Bubolz, Ellie’s owner. “It’s […]

Therapy Dog At Home

May 5, 2020

With kids learning at home, teachers are missing their students. To stay connected to those at the James Madison Elementary School in Stevens Point, Principal Karl Bancker is using his extra time to write stories about life stuck at home, all from the perspective of his new puppy. Bancker adopted puppy Mack right before the […]

Therapy Dogs Anxious To Get Back To Volunteering

May 5, 2020

They bring joy to patients and staff but, like all visitors, the coronavirus pandemic has locked therapy dogs out of many hospitals. The pack that volunteers at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital is anxious to be back. They said so in a special video message to the doctors, nurses and staff. Opal and her person, […]