Therapy Dogs

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Comment by Cheryl and Finnegan yesterday

Thanks BG!  What a wonderful thing you're doing.  Big ideas!  I love that! Keep us posted.

Comment by BG and Gavin yesterday

@Cheryl - congrats to you and Finn!  Whatever you choose you will be great at.  Charlotte's work with Paz really piqued my interest when I was entering into therapy work.  I decided to build our resume a bit and may explore court work in the future. I would have to do some ground breaking to get this going in our city for sure.

@Charlotte - your story brought tears to my eyes.  Paz is doing such important work.  Give that doodle a hug from me.

We were involved in doing some grief work last week.  A teacher called upon me to come in after one of her students was killed in a car accident.  Gavin was a champ visiting each and every student.  We spent an hour there talking and visiting.  There is a grief team that does work in schools after a tragedy has occurred (such as a suicide).  Given my counselling background I am considering the idea of offering our services as part of such a team.  Again it would be ground breaking so I would have to sell it. 

Comment by Cheryl and Finnegan on Monday

Thanks Cathy!

Comment by Cathy K. on Sunday

Congratulations Cheryl and Finn!!!  Which ever direction you and Finn go with your therapy work, I'm sure you both with be amazing at it. 

Charlotte, what an awsome way to help a child during such a difficult time.  Courthouse Dogs is an area I would like to know more about!!

Comment by charlotte bednarsh on May 18, 2013 at 5:33pm

That would be great!

Comment by Cheryl and Finnegan on May 18, 2013 at 5:32pm

I will, thank you.  I'm only an hour from NYC and I go into the city several times a year. Perhaps at some point we'll get to meet :)

Comment by charlotte bednarsh on May 18, 2013 at 5:25pm

Please keep in touch....Paz and I keep learning more each day....enjoy!

Comment by Cheryl and Finnegan on May 18, 2013 at 5:20pm

Charlotte, thank you so much for sharing this.  This sounds very similar to the "Courthouse Dogs " pilot.  It makes me smile that you and Paz are making such a positive difference.  Paz sounds like a four footed angel. A little bit of love and light where there is so much pain and fear.  You just helped me make my decision.  Thank you! I'll be grateful for any guidance or advice you can share as we start this journey...  

Comment by Sandy, Hattie & Theo on May 18, 2013 at 5:09pm

Wow, You must be so very proud of Paz. What a wonderful way to give back to the world, through our Heart Dogs :-)

Comment by charlotte bednarsh on May 18, 2013 at 5:06pm

Congratulations to you and Finnegan; you are about to embark on an amazing of rewarding journey of partnering with a therapy dog.  FYI,  Paz works with children who have witnessed domestic violence/violent crime and is particularly helpful supporting youngsters who are being prepared for trial or being questioned by prosecutors. In NYC, dogs are not allowed in the courtroom as the defense attorneys maintain the presence of the therapy dog will bias a jury, This week Paz helped a little boy who had witnessed the murder of his mom, and whose testimony was required for a conviction.  Initially, the child refused to enter our building, so we made arrangements for him to meet Paz in our children's room area.  It was amazing to watch the way  in which the child bonded with Paz; when the prosecutor came to get the child, I gave the child a leash so he could help me walk Paz into the room where the interview was going to take place.  There was a large couch, on which the child sat, and Paz immediately sat next to him on the couch, and I sat on the other side.  Initially the child did not want to speak, and began to shudder, at which point Paz sat straight up and began to nuzzle the child's neck.  Within seconds, the child, with his arm around Paz, began to describe in great detail, the horrific events he had witnessed.  The interview lasted about an hour, and what amazed me is that Paz remained glued to the child's side and never attempted to leave the couch.  At one point, Paz offered some "comic relief' because the couch was somewhat narrow, and his long legs & huge paws kept flopping off the couch.  Following the interview, the child requested to stay another hour with Paz, and I gave him a picture of Paz to take home with him.  The prosecutor said Paz helped the child find his voice under the most difficult of circumstances and without  Paz, she is convinced the child would have refused to speak.  I know you are going to love working with Finnegan, and please keep us posted.

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