Vote for Therapy Dogs!

Wow, what a day for Cora and I at Mayo Radiation Oncology. The Caring Canines have recently been outfitted with their official Mayo vests and this month also marks the 1st year of the program. The time has passed so quickly. Reflecting back makes me realize how important a Therapy Dog program is in a healthcare setting. Cora and I have met hundreds of patients and their families in that time period. The smiles, laughter and comfort that Cora and her peers has brought to this department are uncountable. It's an election year and healthcare is a big issue. Wouldn't it be great if Therapy animals were a routine part of treatment plans. I'd vote for it and I know everyone that has ever had an encounter with a Therapy team would cast a vote in favor of Animal Assisted Activities and Therapy!

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Origin of Therapy Dogs

Cora the Therapy Dog I have been wondering for a while now just "who" the person was that initiated the concept of therapy dogs. Found this article to be quite informative from "Wikipedia" and wanted to share with all of our readers. "During World War II, under combat operations against Japanese forces on the island of New Guinea, Corporal William Wynne came into possession of a young adult Yorkshire Terrier abandoned on the battlefield. He named the female dog Smoky . Smoky accompanied Wynne on numerous combat missions, provided comfort and entertainment for troops, and even assisted the Signal Corps in running a telegraph cable through an underground pipe, completing in minutes what might have been a dangerous, three-day construction job which would have exposed men and equipment to enemy bombers. Smoky's service as a therapy dog began when Corporal Wynne was hospitalized for a jungle disease. As Wynne recovered, Wynne's Army pals br

Soothing Moment

Cora missed out on visiting friends today at Mayo because of an upset tummy. But tonight she is relaxing with two of her favorite things, her "fleece buppie bed" and Poppy's guitar music. Ahhh, life is good.

Happy Valentine's Day

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a41774d7a6b344d6a593d0d0a&blogview=true The link above is a short slideshow with one of my favorite songs, my favorite dog and my heart's work as a Therapy Dog handler. Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone, may the heart of an animal touch you today!

Cora's Magic

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