Scheduled Visits - October 2011

Here is a calendar of all Lend A Paw scheduled visits for the month of October 2011. Click on an event to see details about the visit. Choose the event(s) you wish to participate in and contact the Leader of the site to RSVP.

Who's Who Part 2

Sarah Jane & Bailey:

Sarah Jane Chelin & Bailey were certified as a LAP team in December, 2008.   Since then, with a few rare exceptions, they have made one or more visits every month.  Working toward a goal of accomplishing 100 visits this year, she and Bailey have become one of our most experienced volunteer teams.  While they spread their joy across many sites, Sarah is now the Lead Volunteer for the KEEN visits; an organization providing sports and activities for developmentally challenged children.  Please join us in cheering her and Bailey on as they strive to hit their goal of 100 visits!  

Jane, Jessica & Caspy:

Jane Eckstein and her daughter, Jessica Masser, adopted Caspy from New Leash On Life in January 2009, and in February they were certified and began visiting with Lend A Paw.  Jane and Jessica had already been involved in community outreach programs, when they
adopted Caspy. They were teaching a self defense class at Kayne Eras; a school for developmentally challenged children, many of whom
are autistic.  They spoke with the Principal and Caspy and his friends

have been visiting regularly ever since.  Jane and Jessica have now expanded their sites to Fallon Cardiology Office and the Westside Regional Center, where Jessica works as a peer mentor.  The Westside Regional Center provides several programs and resources for developmentally challenged adults or children and their families.   If you haven’t worked with Jane and Jessica you are missing out on the vitality and compassion they bring to the LAP program.

Lend A Paw Team Receives Achievement Award

Congratulations are in order! New Leash On Life's Lend A Paw Team Barbara and Cody recently received an Achievement Award from Animal Farm Foundation, Inc. 

To qualify for the Animal Farm Foundation Achievement Award, the dog and owner duo must work together to win hearts and open minds, breaking stereotypes and disproving myths for all "pit bull" dogs. The goal of this award is to honor those wo are making a difference and working towards a world where "pit bull" dogs are accepted as individuals. 

And that's exactly what Barbara and Cody have been doing since they became a Certified Lend A Paw Team in April 2010.

Every month, this dynamic duo visits Oakview Assisted Living and Nursing Home as well as the LA Mission's Ann Douglas Center for Women where they visit mothers and their children during their "Mommy and Me Program". But what makes this team so special is the fact that Cody is a "pit bull" mixed breed and has a disability. When Cody was a puppy, he was diagnosed with a congenital malformation called ectrodactyly or "lobster claw syndrome". He was rescued by Even Chance, a San Diego based pit bull advocacy center, which paid for the surgery to correct the deformity by fusing two toes together. He was adopted shortly after the surgery by Barbara who states: "He's been pretty special ever since I adopted him. And for some reason, from the bottom of my heart, I know I'm supposed to have Cody." 

According to Barbara, Cody is a "people-oriented dog," and although his breed surprises people, his charisma wins them over every time. With a "mitten" paw, Cody walks with a slight limp which also helps physically challenged people relate to him.

Cody is now 3 years old and while he is composed and calm when he wears the Lend A Paw vest, at home he is a typical, high energy dog. Barbara says that, "working is taxing on Cody and all therapy dogs. When he gets back from a visit, he collapses for the rest of the day." But Barbara knows that Cody really enjoys it because "he is proud of himself and is glad to be the center of attention."

Story and Photography by Nathalie Seguin.

KEEN Los Angeles

Sarah Jane and her golden retriever Bailey had a great time!

In May 2011, New Leash on Life’s Lend a Paw program partnered with KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) Los Angeles for a play session with children who have developmental and physical disabilities.  Three Pet Therapy teams joined the festivities: Lend a Paw coordinator Sharon brought her black lab Gabi, fellow handler Lisa brought her long-haired Akita Ash, and Sarah Jane, the LAP Leader for this site, brought her golden retriever Bailey.  It turned out to be an amazingly fun day for everyone involved. 

Lisa and Ash went down the slides with the children.

KEEN is a national, non-profit, volunteer-led organization that provides one-to-one recreational opportunities for children and young adults with intellectual and physical disabilities at no cost to their families and caregivers.
Over the course of the visit, the children’s confidence levels sky-rocketed;  Several children were petrified of the dogs when they first arrived, so the Lend A Paw teams tried to build their confidence in different ways.  They asked if they wanted to take the dogs for a walk, and when one would grab the end of the leash, another

would want to get involved and also take part of
the leash.  That way, the LAP handler and often
times two children, would walk the dog up and down ramps and stairs.  Having a big dog follow the kids and respond to their requests to “sit” or “shake” gave them an ego boost.  Having them brush the dogs also allowed them to get close and learn that the dogs would not react negatively to their presence.  The absolute cherry on the top was to see these kids engulf the dogs in hugs.  So much love!
More highlights:
·        Watching the dogs go down slides with the kids. Bailey, Gabi and Ash surprised everyone with their great enthusiasm for tackling all the slides on the playground.
·         Seeing a little boy’s beaming face when he was asked if he wanted to ride horsey on Bailey’s back.  He enjoyed it so much he did it twice.
·         Hearing the kids describe what they did that day that made them proud… and some of them said “played with the dogs.”  The Lend A Paw teams made a difference!!

For the months of June, July and August, the kids went swimming and the therapy dogs skipped the pool sessions (much to Gabi and Bailey’s dismay!) They are now returning to the Elysian Therapeutic Center for some outdoor fun and the Lend A paw teams are invited once again. Below are the upcoming KEEN event times. 

KEEN Sports at Elysian Therapeutic Center
929 Academy Road, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sharon and Gabi helped the children build their confidence level.

      Volunteers keep the kids company as they move among the different activities including Frisbee, tag,


soccer, arts & crafts, basketball, jungle gym, swings, sand box, baseball, etc.  Volunteers arrive at 10:30 am and the youth participants arrive at 11:00 am.  Play continues until about 12:30 pm.

·         Sunday, Sept. 11th
·         Sunday, Sept. 18th
·         Sunday, Oct. 2nd
·         Sunday, Oct. 30th

Please consider volunteering at least once.  Your presence would mean so much to these kids. To RSVP for these visits, contact Sarah Jane, the Leader of this site.

Story and Photography courtesy of Sarah Jane Chelin.

Scheduled Visits - September 2011

Here is a calendar of all Lend A Paw scheduled visits for the month of September 2011. Click on an event to see details about the visit. Choose the event(s) you wish to participate in and contact the Leader of the site to RSVP.