Special needs rescue volunteers to help others

Liza is a special needs dog who is being fostered by LAP volunteer, Donna Beirne.

Last year, Liza had two surgeries on her rear right leg ~ a metal plate and pins inserted for a broken leg and yet a second surgery for her hip.  Her senior owner could not continue with her therapy program, and her muscle tone atrophied quite a bit.  A caring vet contacted Cavalier Rescue USA, an all-volunteer rescue organization, when her owner was considering the unthinkable.  Liza limits her walks to a hip-hop-hobble when on backyard outings and is extremely motivated in getting to her food bowl and when offered treats.

Donna Beirne, one of Lend A Paw's most dedicated volunteers was approved last July to be a foster home for Cavalier Rescue. Liza came to Donna’s family in February this year. Donna says she had never cared for a special needs dog before and was hesitant, but from day one, Liza taught her how to do it.  As she discovered, it is really quite easy.  

Thanks to Donna, Liza began attending water therapy sessions at  K9s Only, where she displays her great swimming skill.  In the water, no one would know that she is a special needs girl.  Now that summer is here, she maintains her exercise program in the big pool at her foster home. 

Liza was able to test for the LAP Certification using a doggie stroller.

In order to promote Liza and to show how much love and companionship she is able to provide, she recently passed her Lend A Paw certification test.  She was able to test in her doggie stroller.  She will attend limited site visits, when appropriate. 

Liza attended her first Lend a Paw therapy dog visit at Grancell Jewish Home for the Aging.  Other LAP teams who also visited include new handler Chantal Chelin and LAP pro, Bailey, and the very active LAP team, Lisa Erving and Ash.  This visit was well documented with charming photos taken by Lydia Marcus, Zen Pet Pix Photographer, LAP handler and owner of Cali-the-therapy-dog. 

When meeting dogs and people, Liza eagerly requests an introduction to new friends with her nose and it is quite funny to see her nose wiggling, taking in the scent of each new greeter and dog visitor she encounters.  She had quite a nose workout today and it was obvious she was happy to have a cool part-time job of bringing smiles to those she meets in her "red chariot."

Liza participated in her first visit alongside LAP teams Chantal Chelin and Bailey and Lisa Erving and Ash.

LAP handler Lydia Marcus with Liza and Bailey.

Liza is still waiting for a special someone who will be patient and commit to giving her a forever home.  Special needs dogs can take a long time to place, so until then, he will always have a home and loving care with Donna's family.

Liza’s foster mom, Donna Beirne has two other rescue Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, both in the Lend A Paw Therapy Dog Program:  5½-year-old Tri-color, Audrey Hep Beirne who has been a LAP dog since July 2010 and 5½-year-old Blenheim, Einstein (aka Ein) who is also a LAP dog since May this year.

Photography by Lydia Marcus of Zen Pet Pix Photography.