Therapy Dogs and Cats
VA Hospital Therapy Dogs - Stitch and Riley
July 2010
 CANIDAE takes pride in sponsoring these wonderful therapy dogs who regularly visit VA hospitals in California. We all know what kind of positive effects dogs can have on our lives. In some cases, people need the extra attention that a trained therapy dog can provide. Through the kind-heartedness of their owners and trainers, these special yellow labs offer patients at the VA hospitals their attention, love and support.
 Besides standard canine training, these labs have also received specialized training to learn how to behave around people that are going through a difficult medical condition.
These dogs are trained to help people by visiting them and giving them some company and joy. They are not trained to stay with them and help them with their tasks, so there is a difference between therapy and service dogs.
People often need some therapy to recover, which can prove boring and repetitive. A therapy dog can provide some excitement in their daily routine that will improve their situation. It's been known to make people less lonely or depressed as well. It can distract them from darker thoughts that they might have.
 A therapy dog can also make patients be more responsive, getting them out of their routine, making them less passive. Try to put yourself in the place of a bored patient, that suffers from pain, and imagine what a joy would a dog bring you, if he came to interrupt your boring routine.
UPDATE: July 2010 - Stitch and Riley paid visits to the local veterans and children’s hospitals of Moreno Valley where they were greeted with open arms and smiling faces. Johne Johnson, assistant secretary of Moreno Valley Masons Lodge No. 804, and wife Jane, owners of Stitch and Riley, regularly participate in the lodge’s visitation programs. CANIDAE Pet Foods is very proud to offer them our support. Since the Johnsons certified them as service dogs, the golden labs have become beloved regulars at Loma Linda VA Hospital and the local children’s hospital, and play an integral role at lodge events. In addition to Stitch and Riley, the Johnsons recently certified Sophie, a Maltipoo, and are training their fourth dog, Bella, for future certification.
UPDATE: December 2009 - Stitch and Riley will be making the rounds during the Holiday Season. Following is a story about the experience of offering this kind of support to those in need: "One person we visited said that he wasn't feeling well this year and perhaps we shouldn't visit. I think he was feeling a little down that he was alone and didn't appear to have anyone visiting him. We began singing Christmas songs in the room, and the Vet took more notice of us and then noticed the dogs that we brought. He nearly jumped out of his bed with such joy at seeing the dogs and having visitors. He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. We saw the dramatic change in him immediately. He became very animated and spoke and told us stories of how he missed his dogs that he once had. He was so happy that we came to spend time with him! All of us saw the instant change and how he wished us all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Truly, we are the ones who are blessed because we witnessed many miracles on that day."
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Sherry Buchbinder, Barker and Doc Barker
March 2010
 Barker is a Certified Mobility Service Dog, Registered Therapy Dog and the only canine ambassador representing the Make-A-Wish Foundation and their Wags For Wishes programs in California and Arizona. Barker is also an honorary K-9 for the Riverside Police Department in California, and an honorary "Splash Dog" too.
Barker and handler Sherry Buchbinder also work with animal rescue organizations, encouraging people to be responsible pet owners by helping spread the message of "Spay, Neuter, Adopt."
 Sherry encourages other pet owners to volunteer with their pets as a pet therapy team. "As a handler, it's rewarding to see a smile on the face of a hospital patient, visitor, staff member, senior, or military personal when you and your dog enter the room," said Sherry. She also enjoys educating people about working Service Dogs. "These dogs provide mobility, independence, and some can alert caregivers to medical situations, saving lives." Sherri explains to people that service dogs assist many types of disabled individuals, not only the blind. Sherry enjoys telling people about these specially trained dogs, how they improve the quality-of-life for people such as herself and others with various types of medical disabilities.
 Sherry now has a puppy in training who will hopefully replace Barker as her Mobility Service Dog. His name is Doc-Barker and Sherry is hopeful he too can become a Registered Therapy Dog and a canine ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Doc-Barker has been present at many of the recent Make-A-Wish events in California and Arizona. He is welcomed with open arms by everyone within the organization and has been invited to return to return to several California and Arizona chapters soon. What an honor for such a young puppy!
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Certified Therapy Dog Sadie
November 2009
S adie, my six year old Yellow Labrador, is a well-trained Certified Therapy Dog who was certified by Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs in New Jersey. This wonderful non-profit organization evaluates, tests, trains, qualifies and supports therapy dogs for the purpose of giving loving and empathic support in assisted-living homes, hospitals, and other facilities where emotional service dogs are indispensable.
Sadie has been certified for four years now and together we make regular visits to a number of institutions near us including assisted-living homes, hospitals, and several children's reading programs.
Not all dogs have the temperament needed to be a successful therapy dog, but reactions to Sadie have always been great. It's a very heart-warming experience to be a part of.
 Sadie is also a Certified Narcotics Detection Dog working and doing weekly training with Travelnmandogs trainer Ron Gaunt for going on 4 years now. Somehow, we find the time to participate in dock jumping and agility too!
Being a working dog I wanted the best food that I could provide for Sadie. I researched and researched different kinds of dog foods and kept coming back to CANIDAE. I believe CANIDAE has all the health benefits and the proteins she needs as a working dog so I decided to try it. Well, it's been at least 3 years now and she is still a CANIDAE customer. She loves the food. She is a picky eater (especially for a Lab) but loves CANIDAE wet and dry. She especially likes her Snap Biscuit dog treats.
Cindy Lowry
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