On Wednesday, December 7, volunteers from PAWS of CNY brought their therapy dogs to Morrisville State College’s Butcher Library for a de-stress event. Dozens of students came to the library to meet Quincy the Pug, Cody the Golden Retriever and Aberdeen the Boston Terrier.
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Think your dog has what it takes to be a therapy dog? Wondering if you could both benefit from a few training courses so that you ace the evaluation test? Our Therapy Dog Training Course registration is now open!

Therapy Dog Class
Led by Danielle Basciano, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, ACCBC
3/5/2017 – 4/2/2017
3 p.m.
Cicero Animal Clinic
Click here to register.

This six-week therapy dog training course is designed to prepare dogs to pass the PAWS of CNY certification, as well as to provide ongoing education to dogs and handlers who are already certified. The course is not mandatory in order for a dog to be evaluated. It is, however, encouraged for dogs who are good candidates for pet therapy work but may need assistance perfecting some of the certification criteria or for folks who just want to learn more about what it takes to be a certified therapy dog team.

Some of the topics this course will cover include:
– Signs of stress and body language (first class without dog)
– Evaluation test items
– Handling skills and focus work
– How to read and respond appropriately to canine stress signals
– Introduction to and handling around medical apparatus
– Visit simulation to practice new skills (last class)

Classes are taught by Danielle Basciano, former President of PAWS of CNY, and a certified professional dog trainer.

Class Details:
Cost: $100.00
Class Length: 6 – sessions
Class Size: up to 8 dogs

Click here to register.

PLEASE NOTE: The PAWS of CNY Certification provides accreditation for handlers and their dogs to attend PAWS of CNY sanctioned AAA and AAT pet therapy visits only. PAWS of CNY does not certify emotional support dogs, guide dogs, and other service dogs.

If you’d like to learn more about our new pet therapy program at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport, click on the video below from our local media partner CNY Central.

Also, thank you to CBS This Morning for sharing the story of our program nationally! We hope to inspire even more airports around the country to bring pet therapy to their own travelers!

.@SyracuseAirport is giving holiday travelers some canine comfort with therapy dogs for stressed out passengers. pic.twitter.com/xn6TTS7rHL

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) November 23, 2016

View a video by Syracuse.com journalist Kate Collins here:

You can also read more from the Madison County Courier.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport is excited to announce that it has teamed with PAWS of CNY, Inc. to offer a Pet Therapy Program at the airport. The program, which is called the SYR Pets Easing Travelers (PET) Program, is designed to help ease the stress of the traveling public and their loved ones. The Airport will launch the program on November 22, 2016, just in time for the start of the busy holiday travel season.
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