Erie Elks Lodge # 67 Donates to TDU$400 Grant to Benefit TDU's PACKS Program
Therapy Dogs United, Inc. is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Erie Elks Lodge No. 67 - that will further our mission of educating mainstream and special needs school children on the importance of canine safety and animal humanity. On Thursday, November 5th, Members of the Erie Elks Lodge presented TDU's Executive Director Pat Van Zandt Christianson with a $400 check to benefit our PACKS Program (Prevent Attacks with Care, Kindness & Safety). Funds will be used to purchase 20 new textbooks and workbooks on dog bite prevention and safety for children in grades K-3. Three Wags from Scoops the Dog on this pawsitively perfect new partnership!
Bark of the Town
TDU PA State License Plates Coming to a Vehicle Near You!
If you're a fan of Specialty License plates and your dog - we have the perfect plate for you! Now, Pennsylvania residents can purchase an official state license plate featuring TDU's signature heart-shaped paw print logo. Production is underway, and we will begin taking orders in January 2010. The price is $60, and a portion of the proceeds benefits TDU. Begging for more information? Pawmail Scoops at pat@therapydogsunited.org - he's got the dish.
Pawsitive Impact
Erie Otters Donate Stuffed Animals to TDU
TDU's therapy dog volunteers are playing Santa this month thanks to a generous contribution from the Erie Otters Hockey Club. The team donated about 100 stuffed animals Otters fans brought to the Saturday, December 5th home game in support of the club's "Teddy Bear Toss" promotion. We used the donation to benefit our most needy clients in TDU's two main therapy dog visitation programs, "Senior Smiles" and "ARF" (At-Risk Families). Scoops says, thanks for the hat trick from The Erie Otters and Therapy Dogs United!
Mutts & Martini's Looks to 2010
You're Invited to Join Us Next November
Scoops the Dog and all his therapy dog friends say thank you to everyone who supported our Inaugural Mutts & Martini's Celebration on November 14th. We are pleased to announce the event will return in 2010, so please mark your calendar now for Friday, November 5, 2010 for another fantastic celebration...Woof!
TDU Dog of the Day
Shania Brings Barber Center Smiles
About one-third of TDU's volunteer handlers use their certified therapy dog at work, and for good reason. Many of our volunteers dedicate their lives to kids, senior citizens or the special needs community - and TDU volunteer Dave Buzard is just one shining example. Dave has carved out a 30 year career at the Barber National Institute where today he can be seen on the job with his English Springer Spaniel, Shania. Shi is not only a great motivator and a trusting friend to the center's many residents, but her gentle nature is an inspiration to everyone she meets. Shania was most recently a 2009 Canine Ambassador at our Mutts & Martini's Celebration. For a paw-graphed photo of Shania, or for more information on TDU's visits to clients with special needs, give us a growl at (814) 456-DOGS or Pawmail Scoops.
2010 Muttville Card Collection
Casting Call for Your Top Dog!
Scoops is on the lookout for dozens of the best Mutt Mugs in Erie (and beyond) to be a Card Cutie for our 2010 Muttville "Share Your Dogs Love" signature card collection. For consideration, please Pawmail Scoops your best high resolution photograph, or Email us for details on our upcoming photo shoots. To be one of the top dogs chosen, be sure to only submit "card quality" photos. This card collection goes on sale in May 2010 to kick off 'Be Kind to Animals' week.
Therapy Dog Memoir Penned
Cowboy & Wills On Sale Now
For many therapy dog volunteers, you already know the combination of a therapy dog and an autistic child can be magical. Now, you can read one family's personal tale in a new memoir penned by critically acclaimed author Monica Holloway. Cowboy & Wills takes you on the Holloway's extraordinary journey - from Wills' autism spectrum disorder diagnosis to the homecoming of his personal savior - a feisty Golden Retriever named Cowboy. Through it all, Cowboy helps Wills face his worst fears and gives him the confidence to try new things. This truly is a love story, and a perfect gift for any dog lover this holiday season. To learn more, visit www.MonicaHolloway.com, or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/cowboyandwillis. Still begging for more? Pawmail Scoops - he has a paw'erful book review!
Join the "Share Your Dog's Love" Movement
If you're an active therapy dog volunteer - you're no stranger to the phrase: Unleash the Power of a Therapy Dog. Now we challenge you to jump on board and support the "Share Your Dog's Love" mission. It's sweeping the nation - and TDU is proud to help support the movement! You can show your support by ordering a "Share Your Dog's Love" license plate for only $19.95. Order online at: http://www.therapydogsunited.org/ - Therapy Dogs United also has logo license plates for sale on our website at www.therapydogsunited.org . Visit Scoops the Dog Blog for information on an upcoming "Share Your Dog's Love" contest - you could win $1,000 in prizes!
TDU Welcomes Our Newest Therapy Dogs
Scoops the Dog says kudos to Therapy Dogs United's newest therapy dog teams. Each dog and volunteer handler was recently certified and received both the Canine Good Citizen award and TDU Therapy Dog certificate. Welcome: Scrappy, Ginger, Ollie and Abby G.
Visit TherapyDogsUnited.org to see every TDU certified therapy dog! In Memory, it is with great sadness that we honor the passing of therapy dog Princess de Neige, a beautiful and talented show Poodle handled by TDU volunteer Phyllis Aiello. TDU also welcomes our newest Member Agency Partners: Ball Pavilion Brevellier Village and the Perseus House Charter School of Excellence.
For more good stuff happening with your friends at Therapy Dogs United, Inc. -
visit us online at www.therapydogsunited.org. To make a financial contribution, mail us at Therapy Dogs United, Inc., 1932 B West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505, or call (814) 456-DOGS (3647).
Therapy Dogs United, Inc., is a registered 501 (c)3 tax exempt nonprofit organization.
Your donation is not only appreciated - it's tax deductible. Please feel free to forward this E-Newsletter to a friend!
