Therapy Dachshund Celebrates Third Birthday

Happy Birthday to 'Wall-E' - Therapy Dachshund Extraordinaire!  Wall-E got a surprise birthday party on Monday at the Prince William Area Agency on Aging's Senior Day Program center in Woodbridge, Virginia.  Excerpt from Insidenova:

The dog’s third birthday was highlighted by doggie tricks, games and a highlight for him—a small ice cream sandwich all his own.

His owner and trainer, Nancy Jo Rapalee, gave him some peanut butter ice cream after a room full of people of all ages sang “Happy Birthday.”

Three other therapy dogs named Missy, Oliver and Sage, barked during the song and showed their support for their furry colleague.

But that wasn’t all, Wall-E and his fellow canine pals from Manassas Therapy Dogs did some tricks for the crowd. Kids at the party also had some toys to keep them busy, too.

Evelena McPherson, a participant in the day program, sat in her chair and smiled ear-to-ear as Rapalee brought the dog of honor to her lap.

“I love him,” she said as she pet his back and neck. “He’s a precious little dog.”


Read more and see more photos at Insidenova.  

He is pretty precious.

Our Friend Frankie The Walk 'n Roll Dog

Our hearts go out to human Barbara Techel and the family and friends of the busiest Dachshund we ever knew, Frankie The Walk'n Roll Dog.  Frankie, therapy dog and subject of the Walk'n Roll Dog book series, passed away yesterday at home in her mother's arms after being diagnosed with chronic heart failure just last Friday.  With the help of her mom, Frankie inspired thousands with her messages of overcoming challenges and making a difference despite obstacles.  Although Frankie is no longer with us, we know that her messages of hope will live on for generations. 

Please visit Joyful Paws to read of her life and of her passing. 

Related: Frankie Wins National Best Book Award!
Related: Frankie, the Walk 'n Roll Dog to help West Virginia Dachshunds
Related: A Video About Frankie The Walk 'n Roll Dog
Related: Dachshunds in Literature: Frankie, The Walk 'n Roll Dog
Related: Boy Meets His Heroine: Frankie The Walk 'N Roll Dog
Related: Get Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog's New Activity Book and Help Dodgerslist!
Related: Frankie Inducted into Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame
Related: Dachshund News Roundup: Dachshunds on the Go!

Inspiration On Wheels

Via CBS out of Dallas-Fort Worth: They are inspiration on wheels. Two handicapped recruits to a Dallas rehabilitation program are providing the kind of hope and encouragement nobody else can. They do that without saying a single word.

Excellent.

Chloe: American Red Cross Therapy Dog

Chloe is a friend to many.  Via pennlive.com.

Therapy Dogs: A Teckel Named Tinker

Pet partner Becky Cade and Tinker visit Ashley Castro on Monday, June 13, 2011, at the Edinburg Children's Hospital in Edinburg, Texas.

We mostly sit around the house all day and wait for Dad to come home from work.  Not smooth black and tan 'Tinker' though.  This is a Dachshund who makes things happen.  Excerpt from The Monitor:

Little 5-year-old Ashley Castro wanted to leave the hospital where she had been since Saturday, but as soon as she saw Tinker — a miniature Dachshund — she got off her hospital bed and knelt to pet the dog.

“She was crying because she misses her dog,” said Amparo Castro, Ashley’s mom. “She wanted to leave.”

“This (visit) motivates her,” the mother said.

Tinker belongs to Becky Cade, a pet partner with Wonderful Animals Giving Support. WAGS is a local chapter of the Washington state-based Delta Society, a nonprofit that brings the emotional power of pets to bear on hospital-weary patients.

Ashley petted Tinker with the hand that wasn’t connected to an IV, and the dog was placed on her bed.
“To give love, that’s what they do,” Cade said.

Way to go Tinker!  Read more about Tinker and therapy dogs, and see five photos at The Monitor.

Macy and Abby: Therapy Dogs

The residents at Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital in Buffalo, New York know there's nothing in the world like a warm cuddly Dachshund.  Way to go Macy and Abby.  Via NBC2 - WGRZ.

A Dachshund Family Update: Meet Deacon!

Deacon

Back in April of 2010, we helped celebrate a special Dachshund's first birthday.  His name was 'Samson,' and his mom, S. Kate Fletcher, had sent us in some of the most stunning Dachshund photos we had ever seen.  We were devastated to find out that Samson left this planet just a few months later. 
But it's a new year, and we couldn't be happier to report that a new Dachshund is with the family now, and boy is he a looker!  It's 'Deacon!'  His mom writes:

Dear Joey and Maggie,

June 5th, 2011 will be difficult. A year ago on that day, as you previously reported, I lost my dear Samson in a terrible accident. He was only a year old, but was oh-so-smart! He was only one test away from obtaining his therapy dog certification and I mourned his lost, not only for myself, but for all the children who would miss out on time with such a special fella. As the one year mark of Samson's absence from my life approaches, I find cause to celebrate.
Recently, a new little doxie has placed his tiny paws on my heart. Meet Deacon-- a chocolate and tan, patchwork dapple dachshund! Like his brother before him, Deacon is destined for therapy work at Arkansas Children's Hospital.
This is a message of hope for everyone out there who has ever lost their best, little, Dachshund friend. I may never have my Sam again, but I do get the honor of loving Deacon now. It is like comparing apples to oranges-- but lucky for me, I love all kinds of fruit!

Samson

Related:  Those Special Dachshunds: Happy Birthday Samson!

Related:  Sir Samson the Stout

Samson may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. 

You've got big paws to fill, Deacon, but we're sure you'll brighten hundreds of children's lives.  Go Deacon!

Meet Sam the Service Dog!

Golden Retrievers step aside, there's a new service dog in town, and his name is 'Sam,' a 4-year-old black and tan dappled smooth Dachshund who "enjoys tearing the stuffing out of toy animals in his free time."  Sam assists his human Amber Cornford, who attends Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois where she is majoring in Nursing.  Amber suffers from chronic pain caused by Ollier’s disease, a bone disorder resulting in tumors in the joints.  Excerpt from the Loyola Phoenix:

Amber was diagnosed with the disease before her first birthday, and since then, she has undergone six limb-lengthening procedures to help her condition.

When Amber experiences pain, she pets Sam to distract herself. At night when her arthritic hand aches, she often rests it on Sam’s chest, and his body heat relieves the pain.

“Instead of taking a lot of drugs that hurt my body, [having a service dog] is a treatment that is less harmful to my body and, in the long term, [it] has less side effects,” said the 22-year-old junior.

While she doesn’t like to think of herself as disabled, Amber said she realizes that her condition limits her physical abilities. She often needs to ask for a seat on the shuttle and public transportation because it is difficult, for her to stand for long periods of time.

Sometimes even walking can be painful, so Sam tags along anywhere and everywhere she goes. From the classroom to the IC, he’s there to assist.

“It’s not a convenience thing,” she said. “It’s what he’s for. You can’t choose when you’re going to have pain.”

Read all about Sam and Amber in a great little article at the Loyola Phoenix. 

Dogs Don't Judge

First-grader Brian Preshlock reads to smooth black and tan 'Buster,' at the Crystal Lake Library in Crystal Lake, Illinois, during a monthly Read to the Dog program.  Brian notes, “Some dogs look at you and they concentrate on what you’re reading.”  Brian's mother, Julie Preshlock, said the children love the dogs and the family doesn’t have a pet at home. She said reading to the dogs has been a motivator in helping her first-grader learn to read.  Find out more about the program at the Crystal Lake Patch.

Super Lance Revisited: Paralyzed Pooch to Therapy Dog

We're sure that you remember handsome red smooth 'Lance,' the Florida therapy Dachshund on a mission to brighten the days of the patients at Miami's Children's Hospital.  Lo and Behold, The Associated Press has recently done this Video Essay on Lance!    They note:  when their 6-year-old dachshund became paralyzed, Caio Stinchi and Claudia Machado had a specialized wheelchair made. Now little Lance has become "Super Lance", a therapy dog visiting sick children in Miami.

Keep up with Lance at his super website. 

Dachshund Therapy: Lexi and Laci

There's no therapy quite like Dachshund Love, as these patients at Pinecrest Rehab in Delray Beach have discovered.  We're so proud of the work you do Lexi and Laci! 

Read more about this Dynamic Duo over at WPTV.com.

Piebald Therapy

Handsome black and tan piebald 'Patches,' a helper dog, gets some attention from Johnny Adams (left), 13 of Haltom City, Jonathan Jones, 16 of Waco, and Harrison Vaughan, 12 of Dallas, at a summer camp sponsored by the Muscular Dystrophy Association at Camp John Marc, near Meridian, Texas, Thursday, June 24, 2010.  Apparently Patches' nickname is 'Speed Bump!'  Read all about the Muscular Dystrophy Association camp at the Star-Telegram.  

Dog Days

'Oliver,' a scene-stealing Dachshund, yawns as he joins Tammy Nagely for a photo session. Nagely takes Oliver with her when she goes to rest homes. The residents love it when a pet visits. 

Read all about Ms. Nagely's 25-year career at the Carlton Oregon Veterinary Clinic at the News Register.  “I really enjoy dogs. And people who love animals, I trust a little more,”  she says. 

Reading to Sandy

Isabel Handa, 8, reads to Sheila Weiss’s Dachshund, 'Sandy,' 14, Saturday as part of the Westport Public Library’s Reading to Rover program in Westport, Connecticut. There were 18 dogs and 72 children involved in the day’s program in which children have a chance to read for 15 minutes to dogs to improve their reading skills.  Source:  Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.

Meet "Super Lance," Therapy Dachshund!

Ashton Prieto, 4, takes Lance the therapy dog for a walk during a visit at Miami Children's Hospital in Miami, Florida. / PHOTO BY CHRIS CUTRO

Need some Dachshund inspiration on your Friday?  Look no further than handsome red smooth 'Lance,' a disabled Dachshund who hails from Coconut Grove, Florida.  While most Dachshunds spend their time sleeping away the day, Lance spends every Tuesday at Miami Children's Hospital, putting big smiles on childrens' faces.   

Ashton Prieto, 4, (above) had been a patient at the hospital for two weeks when Stinchi, Lance's human, saw him on his yellow car stroller calling for Lance.
``The dog is mine. He's pretty,'' said Ashton, taking the leash from Stinchi and toddling away with Lance.

Read all about Lance and see lots of great pics at the Miami Herald. Lance was even included in a new mural painted in the lobby of the hospital!  Go Lance Go. 

Dachshunds Make A Difference

Maria Saucier (left), president of the VFW 1736 Auxiliary, and Megan Nugent, a Holy Savior Menard Central High School student, brought cookies and her Dachshund, 'Twix,' to Tioga Manor Nursing Home in Pineville, Louisiana, on Saturday, where residents, including Norman Dauzat (center), got a chance to pet the dog.   The event was planned as part of Saturday's national Make a Difference Day.  Read more at The Town Talk.

Wirehair Therapy

Meet 'Daisy,' the Wirehaired Dachshund, as she walks with her owner, Kathy Tabak, of Barrington, Illinois. Daisy is one of 50 dogs in the animal assisted therapy program at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Illinois. On Saturday, all the dogs met up to meet and greet, and celebrate all the good work they do. The dogs make an average of 800 visits to the hospital per month, or more than 15,000 over the last two years.
Read all about the successful program, and the meet and greet at the Daily Herald.

Related: Dachshunds as Therapy Dogs

Dachshunds To Watch Out For

Meet 6-year-old 'Rosco,' the black and tan menace who rules the hallways as the dachshund mascot of Bay Pointe Retirement Community in Bremerton, Washington. Rosco will be competing in tonight's 13th annual Star 101.5 Wiener Dog race at Emerald Downs in Auburn. His human, Linda Potter, notes: "I only hope he will do them proud by staying on course. However, he does get distracted by cute, female dachshunds and no amount of training can help him there!" Read all about Rosco at the Kitsap Sun.

Related: Trash Talking Dachshunds for Upcoming Wiener Dog Rally

Namu: A South Korean Therapy Dog

At Bobath Memorial Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, South Korea, Sim Jae-cheon, 94, who is suffering from dementia, spends time with pretty little 'Namu,' a Dachshund trained to help treat patients like Sim. Excerpt from JoongAng Daily:

In recent years, many patients suffering from conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, depression, schizophrenia, autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder have been turning to animal-assisted therapy (AAT). According to the Samsung Canine Center Web site, “Therapy dogs play an important role in stimulating the hearts and souls of those with emotional and psychological conditions to develop better relationships and regain sociability.”

Read lots more about the program at JoongAng Daily.

Dachshund News Roundup!

Sometimes you can never get enough of a good thing. Taking off where we left with yesterday's Dachshund News Roundup, here's yet another one, on yet another cloudy rainy day, Tuesday, June 9, 2009. Woof, WOOF! Above, six Dachshunds, all with serious health issues, were dropped off over the weekend at Furrytale Farm, an animal sanctuary located on Bainbridge Island in Washington state. Rescue manager Suzannah Sloan said the dogs were dropped off by a woman who claimed she'd found them in Mason County. Sloan said she believes they came from a puppy mill. Read more at kirotv.com.

Meet fourth-grader Shawn Olson and dachshund-mix Tabitha, or 'Tabby,' who hail from the Janesville, Wisconsin area. Tabby has had a tough life, after being the only survivor of her puppy siblings who were thrown out of a car, but has moved on to accomplish big things by becoming a therapy dog to help kids read. Her human, teacher Helen Burton says, "Despite the violence, Tabby always has been a mellow dog. That's why she makes an ideal helper at Janesville's Jackson Elementary School." Read all about it and see another pic at Gazette Xtra.

Ouch! Meet 13-year-old 'Chile,' who hails from Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Chile is getting her annual rabies shot thanks to the Tuscaloosa County Veterinary Medical Association, who travels to rural areas to provide vaccinations for pets that are likely to come in contact with wild animals. Retired veterinarian James Neville, pictured left, has participated in the clinic for over 50 years. Read more at the Tuscaloosa News.

And finally, it's never too late to take up a new skill. Just ask red smooth 'Mazie,' and her human Wayne Shurley, who hail from Frontenac, Kansas, population 3100. Mr. Shurley recently took up sewing to pass the time as he cares for his disabled wife. Besides creating such nice quilts, the 85-year-old also makes tote bags and potholders. Sewing and quilting fans can read all about it at the Morning Sun.

Have a nice day.