Anita Garcia and Bear

Anita found out about Morningstar Therapy Dogs at a Canine Carnival in Montrose. She had her lab, Bear, with her and one of the group’s members told her she should try out for Therapy Dogs International certification. Bear is very well mannered and wants to please everyone. With the help of the group, Anita did some extra training with her to teach her some new commands and reinforce ones she already knew. When the time came to be tested, both dog and owner were ready and Bear aced the test.

Bear loves meeting new people and going to new places. Anita says that the look on the faces of the residents in care facilities when they get to pet and hug Bear is indescribable and has to be experienced to be understood. Some of the people may be reminded of a dog they once had, while others may have never experienced the joy a pet can bring. Their joy and heartfelt appreciation is matched by that of Anita and Bear who know their time is well spent.

Jennifer Toledo and Shilo

Shilo is a 13 year old black lab who loves people and is devoted to Jennifer. She joined the Toledo family as a tiny puppy that quickly worked her way into the humans’ hearts and became a special friend to Jennifer’s older lab, Special. Years later when Special died, the biggest source of comfort for Jennifer was Shilo. Therapy dogs provide love and comfort to the people they go out into the world to help, but for sure they provide therapy to their owners as well.

Jennifer and Shilo love sharing their time and affection with the people they visit. As Jennifer says, what could be more satisfying than cheering up someone who is bed ridden or the elderly who cannot take care of themselves. Being a therapy team has been one of the most wonderful experiences of their lives. The people they visit are receptive and have great stories to tell.

Unfortunately, as of February, 2007, Shiloh has gotten to the age where she is too old to continue her Therapy Dog work. As a result, Jennifer and Shilo have retired from their involvement with Morningstar Thrapy Dogs. We salute and thank them for all their dedication and kind work.

Lew French and Gina

Lew French discovered firsthand the joy that a therapy dog can bring when he took his dog Gina with him to Vermont to be with his critically ill parents. Not only was Gina welcome at the nursing home where his parents were residing, she was like a breath of fresh air to everyone. The two spent from two to six hours a day at the facility and made the rounds of residents who were eager for some canine love and companionship.

Everyone learned Gina’s name and she was so well mannered that Lew could leave her in the common room to keep everyone company while he tended to his mother or father. Being able to bring some light and joy into the lives of the people at the nursing home made a sad and stressful time much easier for Lew.

Bettye Hooley and Sheila

As a veterinarian, Bettye sees on a daily basis what a difference animals make in people’s lives. She can hear the difference a loving touch makes in a heartbeat, see the way physical contact comforts both humans and animals, and revel in the sensation of soft fur, silky ears and solid warm bulk pressed against her. She knows how good it makes her feel and hears over and over what a blessing their pets are to her clients.

Bettye shares the heartache of older clients who often have to give up their pets as age dictates a move to an assisted living or nursing home facility. Frequently, as people age and their friends and relatives die or move away, their pet becomes their main reason for living. Then they are forced to part with the one thing that makes their life worthwhile.

Therapy Partners can help to reconnect people with that loving acceptance and unquestioning companionship. According to Bettye, Sheila is the original “Love Sponge” and thinks that a perfect day is one spent with her head under someone’s hand. She passed her test with flying colors, allowing anyone to approach and pet her and staying calm while bedpans dropped and walkers clanked her way. Now she is ready to share her affection with those who need it most.

Cathy Crim and Mica

After becoming certified through Therapy Dogs Incorporated, Cathy Crim and Mica started their visits to care centers nearly four years ago in northern Colorado. The team regularly dropped in to see folks in the Fort Collins area before joining Morningstar Therapy Dogs in Montrose. Mica happily visited her “grandfather”, John Crim, at San Juan Living Center. Because John tossed the tennis ball, he gave Mica as much pleasure as she gave him. Now the team really enjoys Reading to Rover with the second graders at Cottonwood Elementary School. If the kids don’t mind, Mica sniffs their hair and licks the breakfast syrup off their hands. Many German shepherd dogs are foot soldiers that follow every command. Mica would rather sit at the general’s table snoozing with the officers.

Paula Brown and Maggie

Maggie, a brindle Boston terrier, joined the Brown’s household in 2004. Paula took her to classes taught by Marion Lewis of Falkenhof Canines and joined their parade team. One day at a parade she noticed a little girl sitting with her mother. The mother asked if they could pet Maggie but as Paula and her dog approached, the little girl looked away and drew back. Instead of jumping and licking her, Maggie seemed to know instinctively to approach slowly. She sat down, then moved forward a few steps and sat down again. After several minutes, Maggie was within reach and the little girl finally touched her. The mother said her daughter was autistic and that was the first time she had ever petted a dog.

Paula decided to take Maggie to a Canine Good Citizen Preparation class with the option of TDI testing and found it to be a great experience. The enthusiasm of her neighbors, Keven and Ruth Isgar, for therapy dog work was so contagious it sealed the deal. Paula and Maggie are having a great time and she can see that working and learning together will create an even deeper bond between them. Paula had long wanted to be involved with children and reading and the Read to Rover program was a perfect fit. Maggie prances into school with ears at attention and greets everyone with a wiggle and a grin. She is a clown who makes everyone smile and loves to snuggle up on someone’s lap.

Cynthia Greensmith and Simon

For years Cynthia had wanted to be part of an organization like Morningstar Therapy Dogs, where she could combine her love of dogs and working with the elderly. Simon, an 8 year old Sheltie has a sister, Pearl, and a cousin, Amber, that are also therapy dogs. Simon has always been full of steam and is a happy dog that loves people and can never resist saying “hello” to everyone he sees. He enjoys his visits, especially with those who like to give him a treat.

It has been a great joy to Cynthia to become acquainted with many of the residents at the Homestead and see their reaction to Simon. She considers the therapy dog program to be a ministry and feels that it is a blessing to be able to share time and attention with others. Often, patients like to talk about a dog that was part of their life and they are so happy to be able to pet and talk to one again. Some people say Simon looks like he is always smiling. Now the people he visits have big smiles as well when they see him come to call.

Cheryl Gilmer and Misty

Nothing in life ever compared to the loneliness I felt as I waited for my husband in the family surgery waiting room at the hospital. Out of nowhere in such a cold, sterile environment, a beautiful golden lab came into the room and stopped to see me. The visit was brief, but the comfort she provided was immense. That was my first experience with a therapy dog.

Three years and another very serious surgery later, my little four-pound poodle and I went to the Montrose Canine Carnival and we stopped at the Morningstar Therapy Dogs booth. I explained I was very interested, but I wasn't sure my little dog would be well-suited for therapy work. After being encouraged, I gathered information, attended a meeting, started training in earnest, and today, yes, the little poodle is a genuine therapy dog. Atta Girl, Misty.

We are a new team and still learning. Right now we are mostly involved in the Reading to Rover school reading program geared to helping students improve their reading skills as they read to dogs. We are most anxious to start therapy work in the hospital as a means of giving back some of the comfort I received on my first experience with a therapy dog.

No words can express what it's like to have a companion like Misty. I've always been proud of her and have enjoyed showing her off, but there's always been something special about her. Being able to share her with others as a therapy dog, whether with a little freckle-faced second grader or an 83-year-old in a nursing home, is very fulfilling and has proven to be Misty's mission in life. Thank you Therapy Dogs International.

Donna Maybe and Lapis

Donna began doing pet therapy with Lapis’ older brother who loved to do tricks and make people happy.  Lapis is just a youngster and hasn’t really learned any tricks yet but she loves to receive pats and to give kisses.  They go once a week to an Alzheimer’s facility.  Although the residents’ minds may be many miles away, their hearts, laps, and hands are very present.  For many of these people, Donna and Lapis’ weekly visits seem to be a highlight; the sight and touch of Lapis is as if a beloved family member has come back.  As is true of us all, the simple act of stroking an animal calms a troubled spirit and enriches a life!

Jennifer Omer and Finnean

Jennifer is “owned” by a wonderful rough-coated collie named Finnean. Jennifer and Finnean love making therapy visits and are excited to be participating in therapy work in Montrose. She can’t think of any better way to spend quality time with her dog while at the same time giving back to the community than to share their companionship and unconditional affection with those who so desperately need it.

Keven Isgar and Pearl

Keven and Pearl started doing therapy work with encouragement from his wife, Ruth. Keven considers Pearl, a small female blue merle Sheltie who will be 8 years old in 2006, his little sidekick, and the two of them love visiting the wonderful residents and staff in the two nursing homes they currently visit.  While Pearl doesn't like being held, she is always excited when they pull up to the nursing home and looks forward to seeing her friends, and being admired and praised. Pearl helps many remember the good times when they had a beloved dog of their own. 

Keven has learned that most of the nursing home residents do a good job of making the transition to living in a facility, and are surprisingly upbeat about their physical problems and life in general.  He admires their acceptance and bravery and considers most good friends.  He feels the staffs at the homes are admirable people who do a wonderful job caring for the residents. Keven says that if he has to live in a nursing home someday, he hopes someone will bring a dog in to visit him! Amber and Keven have recently exceeded the 150 visits required to be TDIAOV certified.  (TDIAOV = Therapy Dogs International Active Outstanding Volunteer.)

Ruth Isgar and Amber

Ruth joined the Morningstar Therapy Dogs after having done similar work years ago in the Grand Junction area with 4-H and the Grand Junction Kennel Club.  She finds therapy dog work a great program to bring joy and comfort to folks who once owned and loved a dog. Ruth’s dog, Amber, who will be six in June of 2006, is a sable female Sheltie who loves people and life. According to Ruth, Amber hasn't met a stranger in the human or canine world. When they go on therapy dog visits, Amber gets excited and barks and whines to get inside to see her friends, squirming with joy as she greets the first resident, just inside the door. Amber will lie on the bed with residents if they wish, and seems to know just how long to stay.  Amber and Ruth recently received their TDIAOV certificate and pin, honoring 150 completed visits. (A visit is defined as one trip to a nursing home, even though they actually visit with many people on that one trip.)  In Ruth’s words, “the rewards of therapy dog visits are awesome!”