PAWS of CNY was pleased to again attend the annual Advocates, Inc. summer picnic. Advocates, Inc. was established by a small group of caring families of people with developmental disabilities over twenty years ago. Today, the organization is dedicated to empowering individuals and their families to lead full and meaningful lives in their community. The organization celebrates its members annually at their summer picnic which was held on July 29 at Long Branch Park. Eight of PAWS of CNY’s therapy dog teams attended the event to give the over 300 participants in attendance an opportunity to experience the emotional benefits of pet assisted wellness services.
PAWS of CNY volunteer Alisa Hoff attended the picnic with her Rottweiler, Diva.
“Diva is just amazing with people of all ages,” said Hoff. “She is always happy to see someone that wants to come and meet her!” As a certified therapy dog/handler team, Hoff and Diva have mastered the skills necessary to optimize their interaction with individuals who are managing physical disabilities. PAWS of CNY’s certified therapy dogs have the training and behavior skills necessary to interact with an individual in a wheelchair, or a hospital bed, or a walker, for example, in a way that best meets the needs of the individual. This skill and natural understanding is part of what makes PAWS of CNY’s therapy dog program such a unique and important wellness offering to the community. According to Hoff, Diva is the type of dog who naturally understands how to love and be loved.
“I thought Diva would make a good therapy dog because of her love for all people, animals and butterflies, but I really didn’t know how AMAZING she was until we started actually doing it. Diva has this positive, relaxing, energy that just radiates from her when she is doing visits. She is very calm, gentle and has the most expressive face!”
If you feel that your pet may have the temperament and behavior skills necessary to become a certified therapy dog, helping to improve the lives of those in our community, visit our certification page today to learn how you and your pet can become a certified pet therapy team with PAWS of CNY.