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...

Bowling for Smiles!

Cora arrived today at the Mayo wearing her new red collar and full of holiday spirit as she tapped the "jingle bells" in perfect rhythm with her paws. For the first time, I actually heard true laughter from several people in the waiting area. One woman laughed so hard and long that it actually brought tears to her eyes. Her first visit was today at the Clinic and she said "it felt good to have a good laugh". We brought with us today what will be now referred to as "Cora's Cart". Inside the wheeled bag are all of her favorite things to share with her friends. We brought out the puzzle next and hid her treats in the wells. Cora quickly solved the puzzle and was rewarded with her favorite treats. The people seated in the area clapped and giggled watching her "take a bow" for her efforts. Ever seen a dog bowl? Well, ask Cora to do that and you'll find a room full eager watchers. I set up 5 pins and placed the ball a sho...

Therapy Dog Journey

Question is always the same. How did you get your dog to become a Therapy Dog. Answer is never short. I begin telling them that Cora was a rescue, 1 yr of age and a victim of neglect and abuse. Started out with some home loving, good food and socialization skills. Then off to the local PetSmart where I met with the trainer. Julie Eskoff introduced me to the world of dogs like I'd never known. Several classes under our belts and we applied to be tested for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. After passing that Cora and I were elvaluated for "divine canines" a therapy dog group out of Austin, TX that we hold near to our hearts. We passed our evaluation after 6 weeks of training at the Austin State Hospital. For the next 2 years Cora and I visited Life Skill classrooms and worked with the most wonderful special needs children. We were also welcomed at a local Alzhiemers unit weekly. There the residents became young men and women, t...

Cora's Magic

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