Entries by Marie Gilmore

Dogs are helping calm some nervous NJ residents getting vaccines

Living through the COVID pandemic has produced a great deal of stress and anxiety for many New Jersey residents. One group is offering a special kind of help at New Jersey’s vaccine mega site in Edison. Michael Litterer, the director of prevention and recovery at the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery, said through […]

Veterinarians ready to serve pets of military community

After a nine-month hiatus, the Redstone Arsenal Veterinary Treatment Facility is open, and the staff is working to get the word out and let people know. “We’re back. We’re up and running and we’ve got our staffing going, and we are excited to serve the community and help out the retirees and active duty personnel,” […]

All dogs are ‘therapy dogs’

Most researchers believe dogs are sensitive to our behaviors, body language and emotions. Many times, these four-legged therapists offer comfort when we need them the most. A few weeks ago, I was cleaning out our 7-year-old Lab Teddy’s toy basket, and when I pulled out seven tug-of-war toys I immediately slumped, then sighed and fought […]

Local volunteers taking therapy dogs to Boulder to provide comfort to community

COLORADO SPRINGS — Handling the tragedy of Monday’s mass shooting in Boulder can be hard for many, but a locally-founded group is hoping to provide comfort for the community one pet at a time. Go Team Therapy, Crisis and Airport dogs and their handlers have been making trips to Boulder after the deadly shooting that […]

Therapy Dogs at Forest Glen Middle Bring More than Comfort to Students and Teachers

Each day over the last three years, the peer counseling teacher at Forest Glen Middle School has brought two of man’s best friends into the workplace. Great Danes Brutus and Bodhi are staples at the school, and owner Shawna Meyer said even Principal Forsman likes to check in with them now and then. The dogs, part of […]

Pups lending a paw to UI police support team

URBANA — University of Illinois students suffering from mental issues or just overwhelmed by stress now have a fully dedicated team of police employees in place to help them. Some are trained in crisis intervention, others are licensed clinical social workers, a few know just the right place to get help and others have four […]

With pandemic restrictions, reading program for children moves online

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As pandemic restrictions came down and library branches closed their doors, the children’s department at Parkway Central Library had to move a popular reading program online. The PAWS for Reading program, which teams up young readers with furry friends, is meant to develop kids’ confidence and improve their skills. Pet therapy […]

Facts About the Incredible Human-Animal Bond

Do you ever notice how fulfilled you feel when you spend time with your pet? How your pet can inspire joy while also somehow helping you feel less stressed? Or maybe you are thinking of getting a pet hoping for companionship, affection and love? These and many more positives are the result of the pet […]

Good Girl: UWG Graduate’s Service Dog Receives Honorary ‘Dog-ree’

When Maggie Leptrone, a nursing student at the University of West Georgia, walked across the stage at Commencement Saturday morning, she wasn’t alone. Mona, her Diabetic Alert Dog, fetched herself a diploma, too. Mona, a Labradoodle, became the first canine companion in UWG history to receive an honorary “dog-ree” during in-person Commencement ceremonies that honored […]