MUSICIANS JANEY KATZ - Zia Publishing

Cards • Gifts • HobbiesCrafts • SouvenirsOffice SuppliesFurniture • Machines703 N. BullardSilver City, NM 88061538-5324volunteers in this group with her shepherd mix Bo, and more dogs are being testedto see if they qualify to be Therapy Dogs.Betty originally took her Schnauzer Happy, to one of the local facilities to visita friend. While walking the hallways, other patients noticed her dog and came outto pet Happy. Betty realized that it lifted the spirits of the patients and that theylooked forward to seeing the dog. One of her friends told her about a nationalorganization called Therapy Dogs Inc. and after some consideration, she decidedto start our local group, the Silver Paws.So, what does it take to make your dog a Therapy Dog? Mixed breeds orpedigrees that are at least one year old are welcome. Current vaccinations arerequired, as well as a stool check. Dogs must go through a series of tests performedby Therapy Dog Testers in order to qualify. Some of things the testers look for arehow the dog/handler team initially greets someone, if the dogs are under controlwith a loose lead, the team’s canine/human behavior, and the team's appearance.Having basic obedience skills comes in handy, but is not required. The dogs arealso judged on their reactions different types of smells, to wheelchairs, walkers,and canes, and to people with an uneven gait, coughing and other distractions.After meeting these requirements at three different facilities without any faults, thedog may proudly wear the red heart on his/her collar signifying that it is an officialTherapy Dog.Betty has been involved with the Silver Paws for 15 years. Her other Schnauzers,Elke and Jenna, accompany her now. Since meeting Betty, Margo Hughes andTiki have been members for three years. Asked how she likes being a volunteerMargo’s response when is, “I love it!"The Silver Paws motto is “Sharing smiles and joy.” For more information onhow to become a Therapy Dog volunteer, contact Donna Schaeffer at 538-0350.NaturalHoof Care.CONSULTATION B SCHEDULED TRIMSPHOTO RECORD B PERSONAL CLINICSMark Jeldness, Certified Practitioner & FieldInstructor for the American Association ofNatural Hoof Care Practitioners.505.313.4885 B SILVER CITY,NMwww.aanhcp.org B www.lite-n-tuff.comemail: litnuptoo@yahoo.comwww.ziapublishing.com – 75