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.

Aegis Living of Granada Hills

On Sunday, August 14th, three Lend A Paw teams went to visit the residents of Aegis Living of Granada Hills; Sharon & Gabi, Lisa & Ash and Lori & Buckwheat were greeted by enthusiastic staff members and were introduced to some very happy residents.

Aegis Living of Granada Hills is a wonderful community that offers three different levels of care:

The Assisted Living Option is ideal for active seniors with health concerns who require daily assistance.

The Memorial Care Option provides care for the residents with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

Aegis of Granada Hills also offers specialized care for short term residents and those who require hospice care.

At Aegis Living, the residents are offered a variety of events, activities and new challenges to keep their mind and body active. And they are encouraged to participate in these social situations. The Lend A Paw's monthly visit is part of the Activities Calendar and most residents look forward to seeing and petting the LAP dogs. They also enjoy talking to our volunteers/handlers. Some residents recognize the LAP teams and greet them like old friends while others just enjoy meeting each dog/handler team and getting to know them. And on this particular visit, everyone had a wonderful time. Thank you volunteers and dogs!

Lend A Paw Who's Who

There are three levels of Handlers in our Lend A Paw program as well as Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels for dogs. The number of hours/visits determines the level of our teams. Two of our Lend A Paw teams have recently reached a milestone in our program and we would like to recognize these wonderful volunteers and their faithful companions:

Arlene Alpert & Kooper


Arlene and Kooper started with LAP program in January, 2010.  Arlene got Kooper from the Guide Dogs of America Organization.  Kooper felt that being a guide dog wasn’t for him, but Arlene knew he was still meant for something special.  Arlene has worked at Providence Tarzana Hospital for years and has been looking for a way to have Kooper join her in caring for other people.  Kooper is a four year old black Labrador Retriever who loves his work and can’t get enough attention.  Arlene and Kooper have recently achieved the status of Level II Volunteers and they are enthusiastic about their upcoming year in the program. 

Lisa Erving & Ash


Lisa Erving and her long coat Akita, Ash, have been certified with Lend A Paw since September 18, 2010.  Lisa and Ash quickly completed their six supervised visits and went on to take the role of Lead Volunteer at New Horizons.  Lisa’s vivacious personality and Ash’s unique, teddy bear look make them a favorite at New Horizons, as well as the other locations they visit.  Lisa goes above and beyond by making each visit a special event – just last month Ash turned 2 years old and she celebrated with the individuals at New Horizons by having a birthday party!  She always knows the names of the people she visits and loves to take pictures to hand out.  This last week was Lisa & Ash’s 50th visit!  She celebrated by presenting each student with a specially created LAP caricature coloring sheet of Ash and his friends, and a bag of candy.   Lisa and Ash have touched so many lives through their work and we are so blessed to have them in the LAP program. 

Thank you Arlene and Kooper and Lisa and Ash for the wonderful work you are doing! Keep lending your paws and spreading the love!

Updated Calendar for August 2011

Please take note of the updated Calendar for the month of August 2011; The Eldeman Children's Courthouse visit has been re-scheduled for this Friday, August 19th at 10:30 AM. Also, take note of the Lend A Paw Certification Workshop scheduled for Saturday, August 27th at 8:30 AM.

Scheduled Visits - August 2011

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