January 28, 2011

Dogs Who Comfort: Who Are Therapy dogs?

A therapy dog is a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, and stressful situations, such as disaster areas. Could your dog become a therapy dog? Susan's guest today, is Nancy Stanley, author of Pillow with a Heartbeat: The Heartwarming Tale of a Little Dog Who Finds His Big Purpose and the founder of Tender Loving Zoo, a pet therapy organization. You'll find out what kind of temperament a dog requires to become a good therapy dog, what kind of training is involved and hear the stories of the dogs who have given hope and love to children and the elderly when they needed it the most.

Photo by Nancy Stanley

Episode Segments:

Wild About Pets:: Therapy Dogs Just what is a therapy dog? Nancy will explain, tell you how they help patients, and what makes her dog Truffles such a great therapy dog. We also find out what it takes to become a therapy dog, and other types of animals that are used the same way
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Wild About Pets: Truffles In part two, we learn all about Truffles, including where he came from and why he is so popular with children. We also hear some touching stories about his work. (photo courtesy of Nancy Stanley)
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Wild About Pets: Tender Loving Zoo & Wild Horses Nancy talks about the founding of the Tender Loving Zoo, and how it attracted the attention of the President. Then, Nancy’s other passion is wild horses, and they need our help.
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Links to Related Websites:

Order PILLOW WITH A HEARTBEAT Truffles, a tiny chocolate poodle, shares the woes of his puppyhood--bullying siblings, being taken away from his mother to be sold, and a close call with tainted dog food. Even after he finds a loving home , he endures a few more challenges in the form of life-threatening pneumonia and an encounter with a coyote. It's an awful lot for a little dog weighing in under five pounds. Happily, surviving the trials and tribulations of his early years, Truffles goes on to have a surprise reunion with a long-lost friend and become an accomplished therapy dog.

Look While You Listen! Go to Wildaboutpets.net to view the photos Susan & Nancy are discussing, and for other useful links.

Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Nancy Stanley Nancy Stanley has been recognized as one of the modern day Animal Therapy Pioneers. She first introduced “Animal Therapy” to severely handicapped children and to convalescent hospitals for the elderly in 1982 after Founding Tender Loving Zoo, a nonprofit organization. Nancy also served as the National Media and Public Relations Director of Tender Loving Zoo. As a spokesperson for equine welfare and rescue, Nancy works to support the retirement of thoroughbred horses in a transition to Equine Assisted Activities programs. She is active in the campaign against horse slaughter and is an Associate Producer and Advisory Board Member for the feature documentary film, “Saving America’s Horses A Nation Betrayed”. As a Veterinary Assistant Nancy has worked and cared for a variety of animals and she formerly worked at the Los Angeles Zoo caring for baby gorillas. Nancy authored and published “Pillow With a Heartbeat”, the heartwarming tale about a little dog, Truffles, who finds his big purpose. This book’s mission is to continue Truffles’ journey, bringing children of all nations together with Truffles as their “Pied Piper”, particularly children who are battling life-threatening diseases. Nancy Stanley is a wish- grantor for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in San Diego. It was as a wish- grantor that Nancy was inspired by a very special child, to write “Pillow With a Heartbeat”. Nancy serves on the board for Wild for Life Foundation and is an Advisory Board Member of the Wild Capture Awareness Campaign. To learn more about Nancy Stanley please visit Pillow with a Heartbeat

Truffles Loves Kids - At his Book Signing Trailer for the Documentary film "Saving America's Horses: A Nation Betrayed."