=
Expand search form

Working together: Paws for Love helps young readers build their skills

IMG_0571
Anne Spalding and Vuelie. Nancy Jennings

By Nancy Jennings

Her white work van reads: “Paws For Love Therapy Dogs, Inc.: Teaching You to Safely Share Your Pet with Others.” Patty Storkel, 65, has been director of the Salem-based organization since 1999. A member of the Silver Falls Kennel Club, she hopes others will share even more of their pets – with the help of local supporters. “We desperately need sponsors and a board member or two from Silverton,” she hinted, adding that more volunteers are always needed. “We’ve been involved with library therapy dogs for 10 years now.”

Silverton resident Anne Spalding and her four-year-old Belgian Tervuren, “Vuelie,” are presently volunteers at the “Reading to Dogs” program at the Mount Angel Library. They have been for two years.

Nancy Ferrell and “Maggie,” her 11-year-old Old English Sheepdog, also volunteered there for three years. (They have recently retired from the program.) Both dogs were certified through Storkel’s program.

The bonding activity of reading books to the dogs brings joy to children, who have fun while boosting their confidence and improving communication skills. Each child has an allotted 10-minute time slot.

Storkel is quick to describe the differences between a “service/assistance” dog with a “therapy” dog – and stresses the definitions are not interchangeable.

“A service dog is trained specifically for you to assist you in activities of daily living or perhaps a veteran who has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These dogs can take up to three years to train. A therapy dog is somebody’s pet that is well-behaved and trained to accompany its owner on visits to nursing homes, libraries or hospitals. Generally, these dogs can be trained in two years.” Cats and mini horses also have been certified.

She added the dogs must be at least a year old, already have basic obedience training – and stresses they go to a class rather than get trained at home. “I’m looking for dogs rock solid in the basics. The dogs then need to pass the American Kennel Club (AKC) test and get a certificate.”

Generally, any breed or mix is acceptable. “What we look for are dogs that are very people oriented,” Storkel said.  How well does the owner and the dog communicate? Can the owner recognize their dog’s body language? Is their dog fearful? Can they back them off an intimidating stimulus?”

Ten scenarios are part of the testing process, including the dog being around wheelchairs, walking devices (walkers or canes) and navigating through crowds. Storkel has a specific need for men or children over the age of 10 to help with scenario practice sessions. Some can load and unload “props” onto trucks, and others can become “actors” in scenarios. She said it can take up to two hours to stage a “mini” nursing home.

For information on the Paws For Love Therapy Dogs, contact Storkel at 503-871-5200, email [email protected] or visit the website PFLTherapydogs.org. To read to “Vuelie,” register by calling the Mount Angel Library at 503-845-6401.
The “Read to Dogs” program is available once a month on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. *UPDATE: Both Dogs have been retired from this program.

Previous Article

104 years young: Mount Angel resident says attitude counts for a lot

Next Article

Path to merit: Eagle Scout organizes shoreline walkway at Silverton Reservoir

You might be interested in …

STEAM – Mt. Angel Public Library invites all to check out the possibilities

By Melissa Wagoner “I don’t know the exact statistics, but I do know that the majority of well-paying jobs in the future will be in STEM,” Jackie Mills, Director of the Mt. Angel Public Library for the past four years, said of the need for more science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.  “Anything the library and the community can […]

And they’re off… Two newcomers challenge incumbents in Scotts Mills

By Stephen Floyd Two political newcomers have joined races for mayor and City Council in Scotts Mills, leading to a contested election in a city that sometimes struggles to fill the ballot with candidates. Incumbent Mayor Paul Brakeman and councilors Robin Fournier, Casey Dean and Monika Martin have filed for new terms and are joined by Jason Axness, seeking the […]