Cora's Magic

Cora needs your votes for Modern Dog Magazine!  Please click on link and vote for Cora.  Bringing awareness to everyone about the benefits of Therapy Dogs!  Cora thanks you! CORA  http://shar.es/OifIX via @sharethis        

Cora wishes Everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season!  May we all find comfort in the mist of a Therapy Dog!

Cora is gearing up for the Christmas season!  Being visited by a Therapy dog is comparable to sitting by a warm fire on a cold day.  The heartfelt warmth that radiates when Cora lays at the foot of a patient that may be having a difficult day makes the room glow with a positive energy.  It's the season to celebrate life and the "Joy" that these dogs bring.

Cora is just what the Doctor ordered!  She's like a prescription with the only side affects being improved health benefits!  Who would not love the chance to feel better after visiting with a therapy dog!

Cora is working on a holiday project that we call "Paws 4 Peace".  We've started collecting holiday cards from friend, neighbors and anyone that is kind enough to remember our brave men and women in the military serving overseas.  Cora even returns the favor by "saluting" them! 

So proud of my husband Edwin who just received his Pet Partners ID card in the mail.  He and Cora were evaluated last month to become a newly registered Therapy Dog team.  Can't think of a better way for a family to volunteer together!  So thankful to be able to share Cora's spirit even more!

Cora and I have been assisting with Pet Partners evaluations for new candidates.  Here we are at the Ak-Chin Indian Community Library where "Buddy" (the handsome Corgi) is smiling because he passed his test with Cora's help.  He will now be part of the Read program as the 1st Therapy dog in the community.  How proud everyone was that day! We have to keep encouraging people to be part of an animal therapy program.  The benefits are endless!

Wanted to show everyone Cora's form of therapy!  She loves to lay on this rock and just watch her fishy friends swim up and say hello!

Wow, Mayo is celebrating 150 year Anniversary.  Can you imagine, all the benefits that animal assisted therapy could bring in that time frame!  Programs are growing all over the country in hospitals, schools, reading programs, assisted living communities, hospice care and many other programs where it is now a documented fact that these animal play a vital role in healing and comfort.  The push is on for more interaction with therapy animals!

Happy Veterans Day!

Cora and I enjoy our work together as a Caring Canine team at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Arizona.  It's been a blessing sharing her with those that need some special comforting or just a smile for the day.  Unconditional love is in her eyes, heart and spirit.  Therapy dogs rock!

Sometimes a little solitude is what the doctor ordered.  Today at Mayo, Cora found herself reflecting on the change of seasons.  They say change is good, and that holds true when it comes to the role that Therapy Dogs play in healthcare today.  More changes are in the future, as research clearly documents the benefits from animal/human interaction in the medical community.  We're so glad to be part of this growing program!

Cora and My 2 year Anniversary is this month as a Delta Pet Partners Therapy Dog Team.  It has been the most rewarding 2 years volunteering at Mayo Clinic Hospital.  Watching the interactions with Cora between patients, their families and staff at Mayo has encouraged me to pursue my education in the field of Animal Assisted Activities and Animal Assisted Therapy.  I'll be studying for the next few months to become an Evaluator and Instructor for Pet Partners.  Today's healthcare is beginning to recognize the many benefits that animals can bring during crisis, treatments and prevention of stress.  So glad for this opportunity!

Cora's visit to Mayo was two folded the other day.  We visited with our friends in Chemo and Radiation and then met with Poppy after his appointment for a nice "new shoe" that he will wear for a few weeks.  Cora knows when someone is feeling down and needs and little extra attention.  Therapy dogs seem to have an innate instinct on how to provide comfort for an individual.  Most humans, have to work on this skill.  Shame we don't have that natural instinct that these dogs exhibit unconditionally.

Cora shows how to keep cool in the desert heat!  Being a Caring Canine at Mayo Hospital requires Us to be out on some really warm days.  Foot protection and cooling devices keep this special canine comfortable.  After all, she has comforted lots of patients and deserves all that extra TLC!

Cora and I visited Mayo a day early yesterday but it didn't stop us from remembering that tragic day of 9/11.  Here she "salutes" all our fallen heroes.  Many of our visitors are ex military veterans and returned Cora's salute with a smile on their faces. 

Cora says for a happy life, stop and smell the flowers!

Cora and I visited Mayo Clinic Scottsdale location today.  The facility is loaded with the history of the organization, but this one picture on the wall caught my attention.  The caption above the mural says "Unhurried examination of each patient".  I got to thinking about when Cora greets patients and how she chooses how long to maintain that visit.  I think she realizes the need that each individual has and doesn't "hurry" until the visit is comforting.  Florence Nightingale would have loved having a therapy dog!

Therapy Dogs are like seedlings in a Healing Garden for patients and their families. 

Today, Cora worked so hard keeping patients and their families entertained and comforted that after her 2 hour visit, she simply laid down and took a well deserved nap.  People often say, "Oh, she's there just to pet".  But in reality, she is there in so many different realms.  She's the entertainer, doing her little tricks.  Need a tissue, just say "achoo" and she'll retrieve one for you.  She's the comforter, sitting snugly against the legs of a patient awaiting treatment.  She's also the healer, sharing her spirit and energy with anyone that reaches out to touch her.  Heeling to heal is her motto.  Close your eyes Cora, a well deserved "cat nap" is in order.

Few words are needed when Cora visits someone in need of comforting.  Being a therapy dog means simply being there for that moment to ease fears, lessen anxiety or make eye contact with those that are searching for hope.  One can only guess what Cora's thoughts are during her visits, but it's clear by the smile and gentle touch on Cora's head what our friend is feeling.  Unspoken words, priceless!

Cora shows off her reward today after a long visit with patients at Mayo Clinic Hospital.  As a handler of a therapy dog, my reward comes when I see the smiles on the faces of patients that we encounter, especially in the Chemo/Rad department.  That being said, everyone is rewarded that is involved in Animal Assisted Activities.  The patients benefit by being comforted, Cora benefits from the extra love and attention that is showered on her and I benefit knowing that we have brought a little joy into their day.

Being a registered therapy dog with Pet Partners gives Cora and I the opportunity to venture out and participate with Banfield's Future Vet program that is held each summer at the Phoenix Zoo for middle school campers.  Here is a true expression from Cora and Dr Jucan of Banfield, just how much they love their work.  Can't wait to go back for another camp session!

"Now hear this!  Therapy dogs rule"!

Being surrounded by a loving family during treatment for any disease is a vital part of both physical and emotional healing.  Today Cora helped in that process with our new friends from Mexico.  Language is no barrier, as her wagging tail and soulful eyes need no translation.  Being a Caring Canine at Mayo,  Cora is there to help ease fears and comfort both patients and their families.  Being on the other end of the leash, gives me a first hand look at the difference even a brief encounter with a therapy dog can make. Cora shares unconditionally her spirit and heart. Corazon envía su amor a través de las fronteras.  

This dog loves her work as a Caring Canine at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, AZ!  How many people do you know that go to work with a smile on their faces, like the one that Cora is wearing here in this picture from today.  Multiply that smile by a hundred and that's how many faces light up in the course of a just a few hours of visiting with patients.  Job description....Therapy Dog...Animal Assisted Activities...... Task....provide comfort care and social interaction.  Job well done Cora!                                               

  Teaching the value of human-animal bonding is an important lesson that I felt needed to be shared with my Grandsons Kyle and Evan who were visiting Us this summer.  So this past week, Cora and I with the help of Poppy visited with our friends at Mayo Clinic Hospital.  Seeing the expressions on their faces as Cora interacted with patients was "priceless".  I can only hope that they always remember that a simple act of kindness, a gentle touch or smile will brighten the day for someone in need of a little sunshine in their life. 

The animal-human bond is a mutually beneficial relationship between species that is essential to the health and well being of both.  Emotional, psychological and physical interactions are maximized by a Therapy Dog visit.  We know for a fact that this interaction reduces stress and anxiety, decreases blood pressure and provides an overall good feeling.  Here Cora spends some quality time visiting with friends.

Arizona is brutal when temps climb to 110 degrees.  But Cora is fashionably dressed in her cooling collar and protective socks on her paws. The picture below is why we make the effort, even in our own discomfort with weather. Therapy dogs bring a "breeze of comfort" to our friends in treatment at Mayo.  Cancer doesn't take a summer vacation.  Being a Caring Canine is a commitment regardless of the weather. 

Focus on what makes you happy in life! Cora's face tells it all, life is good! Keep digging for a cure!

This is Memorial Day weekend, a time to honor those that have given their lives protecting our country.  Cora and I salute all the brave men and women whose spirits live within us all here in the United States.

It doesn't matter big or small, Therapy Dogs give their all!  Here is Cora and her little friend Penelope sharing their healing spirit with everyone at Mayo.  Re search has proven that even a brief encounter with a therapy animal has a profound biological change in the body lasting around 45 minutes.  Good endorphins are re leased blocking stress chemicals.  Wow, you don't even have to go to the pharmacy , just reach out and pet a furry friend !

Today at Mayo the spouse of a patient commented "What a God send you have been for Me "! T he past few week s Cora has been a source of light for her in a dark time . Re flecting back on that makes me realize even more the need and benefits that therapy animals bring to everyone that they encounter.  Often times the caregivers hold a lot of emotion and turmoil inside of themselves, watching their loved ones fig ht this disease.  Cora has been there for them , providing a few mo ments of relief by helping to ease the stress.   It's good to hear the laughter and see the smiles that surface when we arrive.  Cora senses their need for calm and as you can see in the picture above, gives a reassuring touch .  What a Bles sing !

Team work with Cora and Elle today at Mayo!

Research is still uncovering the therapeutic benefits of animals used in treatment of both physical and mental diseases.  We do know that therapy dogs use their social skills and instincts that help boost morale, provide a focal point for concentration and help people interact with others .  As a Caring Canine handler, I see first hand the immediate benefits to patients, both physical and emotional.  Can't wait for the day that a doctor will routinely  prescribe Animal Assisted visits and therapy as part of treatment.

Love was in the air today at Mayo Clinic Chemo/Rad Department.  How quickly the mo od changes when Cora walks into the area.  Valentine 's Day is a day that we share our hearts with those that we love.  But think about this Caring Canine, that s hares her heart with friends and strangers alike.  We humans should be so humble.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Wow, Cora has a calling card now!  Actually it's a great idea to have when we are visiting patients and their famil ies at Mayo Hospital Oncology .  So many questions from people that want to kn ow Cora's breed.  I just tell them that she's a special dog that was bred to bring a little joy and laughter in to their day !  After all , she's a therapy dog , a breed abo ve all.

I don't know which was more radiant today, the sun in Phoenix or the smiles that appeared on the faces of people that Cora visited with at Mayo Hospital.  Therapy dogs just bring out the warmth inside of a person.  Th e se dogs share their souls with those that need a bright spot in their day.   Our new fr iend here, after inquiring about therapy dogs, gave the greatest of compliments when he said , "You inspire Me".  His plan is to look int o training his own beloved canine c ompanion at home to be a therapy dog.  Never can have too many furry heal ers!

Cora is smiling because she heard that a trip to Mayo Clinic Hosp ital is scheduled for this Th rusday and Friday.  Cora has been doing private duty with her "Poppy" who had heart surgery 2 months ago.  Having your own Therapy dog around sure helped in the healing process.  Happy to report he's feeling good and back to work.  Now Cora is anxious to get back to her friends at Mayo!