Murray Minick, formerly of Altoona, gets acquainted with PawZone therapy dog, Norm, a 5-year-old Bernedoodle owned by Julie Lutz of Altoona.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
HOLLIDAYSBURG — Tails wag and smiles and laughter abound when PawZone therapy dogs arrive at Garvey Manor Nursing Home.
Visitors and staff braved a late summer rainy day to greet the 16 dogs and their handlers at the main entrance to the home while waiting for all to arrive. The dogs remained quiet and calm and many sat patiently.
Such calm — even when around so many other canines — is evidence of their extensive training.
“All of our dogs have been through a lot of training — obedience, social, exposure to many sights and sounds,” said Marycarole Brannigan of Ashville, who helps organize the outings. “Many of our local schools are using dogs in their reading programs. Children love to read stories to the dogs and will relax and read aloud to these furry friends when otherwise they are too shy to read to peers.”
A good therapy dog provides emotional support while it remains controlled, gentle and nonreactive to people and to the other dogs.
Bailey, a 20-month-old English Cream Golden Retrievers owned by Wendy Bush of Bellwood, gets some attention during a PawZone therapy dog visit at Garvey Manor Nursing Home.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
“They have to be friendly and want to engage with people,” Brannigan said, when asked what makes a good therapy dog.
Both the dog and handler are certified by the international registry Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
The therapy dog group has more than 50 members and was founded by the late Lisa Leipold. Brannigan and other members honor Leipold by continuing what she started — bringing joy and comfort to others in a variety of circumstances.
Several times a month, the therapy teams visit children at schools and older adults at nursing homes.
“They bring joy, laughter and smiles everywhere we go,” said Brannigan. “The patients, the staff, the handlers — and the dogs — are loving the attention.”
Janet Walker, formerly of Hollidaysburg, pets PawZone therapy dog Bailey, a 20-month-old English Cream Golden Retriever owned by Wendy Bush of Bellwood.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
A visit from a therapy dog helps reduce stress, share emotions and stories and brings people together for a happy encounter.
Barbara Shoup of Sinking Valley brings her golden retriever Mikey on outings with the group. She saw the benefits of therapy dogs while she was an aide in a local elementary school.
“I fell in love with it. The kids read to the dogs and pet them while they read,” she said of school visits. Positive effects on learning, self-esteem and concentration are a few of the benefits in school settings, Brannigan said, while petting a dog lowers stress levels, blood pressure and pain levels.
The dog owners are usually also its handler and volunteer their time. Ruth Kephart of Glen Hope, Clearfield County, has two dogs she brings. Rose, a smooth-coated collie, has been certified for three months and is following in her mother, Whisper’s, paw prints.
The certified therapy dogs come in all ages, shapes and sizes. Karen Morder of Duncansville brought her Australian shepherd, Finn, while her daughter, Caity, brought her dog, Harper, a miniature Australian shepherd.
Sixteen PawZone therapy dogs and their handlers wait outside of Garvey Manor before entering.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
“Our group members come from all over the area,” Caity said. “We enjoy our outings. It’s a chance to socialize.” Group members participate in visits as their schedule allows.
Among the most long-tenured and experienced handlers is Hollidaysburg resident Diane Teeter, who has been certified for 30 years. She brought Molly, and her husband, Wil, brought Dolly — both are Shetland sheep dogs.
“There are many, many more people involved now,” Diane Teeter said, compared to when she first started bringing her dog to see her mother in a different nursing home years ago. Her dog visits cheered up her mother and allowed her to get to know staff and see how they interacted and cared for her mother.
At Garvey, Activities Director Barbra Hileman said the residents look forward to the group’s visits. She recalled how the group found a handler with a boxer — at the request of one new resident. Seeing that type of dog — a boxer like the resident had loved — made the transition into the home a positive experience.
When it’s time to enter the facility, the dogs become more focused, calm and disperse throughout the building. In a nearby visiting area, resident Murray Minlick grins from ear to ear as he pets Banner, Brannigan’s dog.
Sabby Pierannunzio, formerly of Altoona, meets PawZone therapy dog Mikey, an 11-year-old Golden Retriever owned by Barbara Shoup of Sinking Valley.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
“I love dogs,” said Garvey resident Murray Minlick, 87. “I had dogs all my life. My last dog was 12 years old and passed about 1.5 years ago before I came here.”
In another area, Mikey, the 11-year-old Golden, stretches her head to receive pets from resident Sabby Pierannunzio. “I like to pet them,” she said, adding her family had poodles in their home.
“It takes a special dog and a special handler,” Hileman said, to bring such comfort and joy to others.
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