Entries by Marie Gilmore

Dad’s joy as non-verbal daughter says first words after bonding with therapy dog

A devoted dad has told of his joy when his non-verbal autistic daughter spoke for the first time after bonding with an adorable therapy pup. Steven Chilvers, 42, and his wife Dawn, 48, realised their daughter Emily wasn’t hitting her milestones at the same pace as her twin sister, Olivia. At two-and-a-half years old, Emily […]

Plattsburgh offers Wellness Week to students

With midterms coming to a close, students have found themselves stressed and stretched thin. To combat this, Kristina Moquin, a mental health counselor on campus, alongside Love on a Leash, an organization that utilizes service dogs to help others, worked together to create Wellness Week. Services that were provided included depression screenings Oct. 19 and […]

Science Time discusses benefits of owning pets

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and the Stewart C. Meyer Harker Heights Public Library has been celebrating all week with its programs. So it only made sense for library clerk Heather Heilman to dedicate Wednesday’s Science Time program to the topic, as well. Heilman said, “We are helping celebrate and encouraging celebrating Adopt […]

Therapy dog helps comfort teen during crisis

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – An Albany police officer with his therapy dog was instrumental in assisting a teenage girl – located on the roof of a three-story residence – where she stated she wanted to cause harm to herself by jumping. On August 5, Tuesday, around 2:15 p.m., Police responded to a home on the […]

Kids gain confidence reading to therapy dogs at Hingham Public Library

When 8-year-old Henry McDevitt first started reading to therapy dogs at Hingham Public Library four years ago, he didn’t know how to read, but he would tell the dogs stories and flip through the pages of his favorite Curious George books. Now he’s reading the seventh Harry Potter book, his mom Diana McDevitt, said. Although the Hingham […]

For the love of pets: Animals can teach children empathy

Did you know that teaching children empathy skills early in life can increase their confidence and help them better handle stressful situations? Empathy is critical to success throughout life and is a necessary component to developing positive relationships and building rewarding careers. Empathy leads to stronger relationships with people and animals, and helps prevent animal […]

Therapy dog helps school counselor reach students, comfort all at Chippewa Intermediate

DOYLESTOWN – As students and parents approach Chippewa Intermediate School on Tuesday mornings, they’re greeted not only by teachers and administrators but also a short and fuzzy companion. Inja, a 5-year-old goldendoodle, eagerly wags her tail as she stands next to her owner and handler, Krista Wenger-Lehman, and watches students enter the school. Don’t let Inja’s wagging tail and the smile on […]

Dogs of 9/11: Heroic canines combed debris, offered comfort

As America marks the 20th anniversary of the worst terror attack on United States soil, many remembered the countless lives lost and selfless acts by the brave responders on Sept. 11, 2001 — both human and canine. Nearly 3,000 people were killed when terrorist-piloted planes slammed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a […]

Therapy dog visits Lee Health staff to boost morale

LEE COUNTY, Fla. — In order to boost employee morale, staff at HealthPark Medical Center were comforted by a sweet therapy dog named Dorian. Dorian, a hospital-based community service dog at Golisano Children’s Hospital, was brought in to spread some love and joy to health care workers who have been hit hard by the pandemic. […]

From pandemic to wildfires, Bay Area therapy dogs support first responders on the frontlines

When Heidi Carman arrived at the Moscone Center in March, she didn’t bring proof of her eligibility to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Instead, she brought her 3-year-old, wispy-coated golden retriever named Kerith. The pair arrived at the thrumming epicenter of The City’s COVID operation to support the exhausted ranks of health-care workers and city employees. […]