Plymouth Veterinary Clinic Pals and their owners paid a visit to Miller’s Assisted Living Facility on Friday afternoon, April 7th. Veterinarian Technician, Madison and her dog Raymond head up the not-for-profit group. Raymond is a beautiful, gentle Rottweiler/Lab mix. He is acertified therapy dog. Madison and Raymond are certified through CANINE OPS in North Webster.
Madison became interested in the idea of a canine therapy group “because of the young men from PHS that took their lives” in the past couple years. She wanted to be able to offer Raymond’s services to hurting teens at the high school and also to any child or adult who could use a friend to talk to or simply to hug!
Therapy dogs are noted for helping lower blood pressure, easing anxiety, and to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and to people with autism. Therapy dogs are usually not assistance or service dogs, but can be one or both with some organizations.
After Madison and Raymond began the certification process, others at Plymouth Vet Clinic wanted to get on board with the program. The certification process takes approximately three months and it is not cheap. It can cost as much as $400.00 to become certified. Along with certification there are organization dues lawyer fees and other miscellaneous fees.
To help cover the costs of getting PVC Pals up and running the club is sponsoring a Nelson’s Port-A-Pit Chicken Dinner on Friday, May 12th. Tickets may be purchased at Plymouth Veterinary Clinic located at 1201 E. Jefferson St., Plymouth, In. 46563 or by calling 936-2232.
Photo Caption: PVC Pals Canine Therapy Group visited with residents and friends at Miller’s Assisted Living Community on Friday, April 7th. Pictured are in front: Ally with Bailey and Dr. Jama Souder with Hope. In back: Madison with Walter and Piper, Betty Helton, Jean Burton, Helen Peer, Breana with Raymond, Shirley Morrow and Katie Kubley.
