A Great Need for Pet Therapy Volunteers. –by Diane Rosenberg
This past October, Northeast Florida Therapy Animals (NEFTA) sponsored a Pet Therapy Expo in Jacksonville. NEFTA's mission to help coordinate, edu- cate and facilitate animal-assisted interac- tions with communities. There were many organizations rep-
resented: Baptist Medical Center, Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital, Mayo Clinic – all of Jacksonville. Also at the expo: Clay County Humane Society, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida and Courthouse Canines. Barkin' Biscuits of Berry Good Farms also had a booth. The bakery makes dog treats, employing young adults with intellectual disabilities. Samples were given out to all who attended, and they were good enough for humans to eat. (I know because I tasted one). Pet Therapy Volunteers are in great
demand. Information was available and applications readily given out. There were
–by Anna Cooke
George, a Golden Retriever, is a therapy dog at Wolfson Childrens Hospital in Jacksonville.
Welcome to the Town of Puppypants.
Who better to be an ambassador of kindness, hope, respect, rev- erence compassion and love than a dog. But, not just any dog. Mayor Puppypants already has a young following and they’re known as the citizens of Puppypants Town. It’s a place where chil- dren are given every opportunity to soar, through imagination, creativity, sharing, and caring for each other. It’s a safe place where human rights and animal welfare are discussed, along with com- passion for self and each other. Mayor Puppypants guides his human, Shannon Spring, M.Ed
of Just Humor Me Workshops, helping teach these values to at- risk children. Shannon so believes in the need for such programs in schools, that she donates much of her time teaching her well- thought-out curriculum to students. She is also seeking grant money to help continue offering the programs around the state. Family Resources in Pinellas Park has been utilizing the pro-
gram and seeing some amazing results with children. “They are responding positively. Coming out of their shells,” said Maria Gismondi, site supervisor of Family Resources Youth Enrichment Program. “I’ve watched how respectful they’ve become of one another. They listen to each other. For a variety of reasons, these life skills aren’t being taught at home as they once were.” The kids are learning manners, and the difference between
positive and negative humor. As a professional speaker, humorist, counselor and Certified Humane Educator, Shannon has been teaching kids from Pre-K through 12, and adults at all levels of the corporate world. As schools cut funding and classes that teach life
www.TheNewBarker.com
JustHumorMe.com - 727.483.0400
ShannonSpring@JustHumorMe.com
Winter 2017 THE NEW BARKER 65
skills, more administrators should consider an outside entity like Mayor Puppypants. The corporate world could use a little humor and motivation these days as well. Heck, just the initial presenta- tion alone by Shannon and her dog will leave you feeling so much better. We double dog dare you to call Shannon, and give her an
opportunity to brighten your day.U
workshops with informational speakers covering topics like What Makes a Good Therapy Team, Therapy with Children and
Courthouse Canines. The Courthouse Pet Therapy Program
in the Fourth Judicial Circuit-Duval County, was established for victims, wit- nesses and parties involved in every type of court case. Many times there is a wait involved before appearing and/or testify- ing in court or a deposition, causing high levels of anxiety. Studies have shown that interacting with friendly animals can pro- vide both emotional and physical benefits. Pet therapy teams are available to interact with the parties and victims (see section 92.55 Florida Statutes). All handlers and dogs are required to have passed a nation- al certification. Handlers must pass a back- ground check, and maintain the confiden- tially of all information involving cases and people involved. All of the expo participants agreed,
being a pet therapy volunteer is a win- win-win situation for the patient or victim, the handler and the dog.
U
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