Chai Lifeline & LAP Join Efforts

             Since 1987, Chai Lifeline's mission has been to restore the light of childhood to children whose innocence ended when life-threatening or lifelong illness was diagnosed.
Through programs that address the emotional, social, and financial needs of seriously ill children, their families, and communities, Chai Lifeline restores normalcy to family life, and better enables families to withstand the crises and challenges of serious pediatric illness.

Earlier this year, Chai Lifeline contacted Lend A Paw to propose a new program to help these children receive some much needed love and affection from our volunteer handlers and dogs.

Upon commencement of the program, we had an astounding response from our volunteers in their desire get involved, and many are already assigned to visit children on a weekly or monthly schedule.

This program has a great impact on the children. When we as humans interact with a person who is seriously ill or challenged in some way, we often cannot help but be reserved or unsure due to our preconceived notions, lack of knowledge of the illness, or fear of the unknown. When dogs interact with these special populations, they show no judgement and treat the children no differently than their best friend. These children need a sense of security and a chance to be treated the same as everybody else.

One of Lend A Paw's volunteer teams, Jody and her Golden Retriever Ziggy, began visiting with Chai Lifeline earlier this year. They were paired with Ari, a five year old boy diagnosed with Leukemia. Jody guided Ari as they took Ziggy for a long walk. Jody remarked that Ari "is the sweetest boy ever and was so happy to see Ziggy. Ziggy, Ari and I went on a long walk...We talked a lot and laughed a lot. He is a very special kid."

Lend A Paw volunteers and Chai Lifeline children look forward to many more visits together down the road. If you are interested in getting involved with Lend A Paw with your own dog, please contact Sharon@k9sonly.com.

Written by LAP Director, Sharon Vincuilla

Lend A Paw to attend Walk Now for Autism Speaks

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. They include autistic disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder in the U.S. Every 11 minutes, another family receives the devastating news that their child has an autism spectrum disorder.

 How can Lend A Paw help?

Gabi, center, shares a hug with these two boys at Kayne Eras.

More research is still needed, but studies are showing that interaction with animals, and Therapy Dogs specifically, has many therapeutic qualities for children with ASD. Through our work with students at ECF Kayne Eras School we have experienced that the Lend A Paw dogs help these children by facilitating social interaction, calming and developing focus , increasing verbal skills, and raising self-confidence.  In order to support efforts to raise funds for ASD research, as well as to increase awareness of the positive therapeutic impact that interaction with animals can have on children with ASD, Lend A Paw volunteers will be manning a booth at the upcoming Walk Now for Autsim Speaks. The 5K walk and fair will be held on Saturday, April 21st at the Rosebowl in Pasadena. For more information, visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org

Please come out and support the cause, or stop by the Lend A Paw booth for more information about our program. If you are interested in joining Lend A Paw with your own dog, please email Sharon@k9sonly.com.

Scheduled Visits - April 2012

Here is a calendar of all Lend A Paw scheduled visits for the month of April 2012. 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.

Cali's 3rd Birthday Celebration at New Horizons

Cali celebrated her 3rd birthday at New Horizons!

The New Horizons monthly lunchtime visit on March 14, 2012 got a huge turnout of seven Lend A Paw teams: Calli and Audrey, Ash and Lisa, Buckwheat and Lori, Wilson and Kenneth, Chloe and Judy, Cali and Me (Lydia), and Daisy and Jim. The New Horizons students were excited to celebrate Cali's 3rd birthday! 

Lisa, the Lend A Paw site leader for New Horizons, provided birthday party hats, candy (a HUGE draw), and decorative bead necklaces. Lisa also handed out St. Patrick's Day photo cards featuring many of the Lend A Paw therapy dogs. Lisa and Ash know how to work the crowd and please the students! 

Everyone signed the giant birthday card...

I made a giant birthday card featuring numerous cute doggie stickers and Cali's photo, and Lisa oversaw students signing the card. I also handed out Cali's new business card that features photos and information about Cali and Lend A Paw. 

At the visit, Wilson and Buckwheat displayed their prowess at backing up on command, Ash showed off his super cool style by wearing a birthday hat and humorous birthday sunglasses, many of the students enjoyed a face washing "Calli style" as her handler Audrey exclaimed, "she's a great kisser," and Daisy danced for treats by standing on her hind legs and spinning. Many of the students were excited to pose for photos with birthday girl, Cali, and Judy shared her fluffy white doggie, Chloe, who is, "always up for a party and enjoyed the festivities as well." 

Ash showed off his super cool style...

Audrey and Calli enjoyed the festivities!

Happy and proud Lydia with birthday girl Cali!

More highlights included: The lady in the wheelchair and the young man in the party hat who couldn't get enough of Cali's big, wet sloppy kisses; Buckwheat and Wilson comparing therapy dog patches on their vests (Cali is jealous and wants a patch too!) and hugs for the handlers from a few of the sweetest big "kids" you will ever meet! 

Story and photos by Lydia Marcus

Scheduled Visits - March 2012

Here is a calendar of all Lend A Paw scheduled visits for the month of March 2012. 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.

A Volunteer's Experience

On Wednesday, February 8, 2012, Cali and I experienced our second therapy visit with Lend A Paw. We spent lunchtime with developmentally challenged adults at New Horizons in North Hills, CA. New Horizons is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping adults with developmental disabilities reach their potential and fulfill their dreams. New Horizons provides job training and placement, education, counseling, residential services, and social programs for individuals age 18 and older.

The hour was a whirlwind of questions regarding me and Cali.

Cali was a very popular girl!

What's the dog's name? "Cali."
Is it a he or a she? "She."
How old is she? "Two. She'll be three in March."
What's her birthday? "I don't know exactly."
What's your name? "Lydia."
What's your birthday? "February 27."
What's your Mother's name? "Beverly"
What's her birthday? "November 30, 1931."
(One of the ladies that was asking about the birthdays told me that my birthday was two weeks from Monday and that in the year of my mom's birth the Cab Calloway song "Minnie The Moocher" was on the charts - she was right on both accounts (I had to look up wikipedia about the song.)
Does Cali eat Candy? "No, she eats dog treats. I have some with me, would you like to give her a treat?"
Can I smell your hair? "No."
Why not? "Because that's a personal boundary I have."
Can I see your eyes? "Yes (I take off my sunglasses.)"
Can you make this sound (one lady was big on asking me to repeat sounds she was making)? "No, you're doing it well enough for both of us."
Is that magic? (regarding some of Cali's tricks.) "No, I taught her how to do that."

I made an assortment of mini Valentine's Day cards!

I made an assortment of mini Valentine's Day cards to hand out. There were 6 different images of Cali. Each card had a photo of Cali on the front and handwritten on the back was "Be My Valentine xoxo Cali." Many people asked Cali to shake. I showed them that instead of shaking, she does "high five." I also showed her doing "leave it" with both a treat and her ball, and "take it," allowing her to eat the treat or take the ball. She also showed off "beg," "up" (to jump up on a planter where you could also sit) and to stand up and put her paws on my chest, "sit," "tap touch" where she touches my index finger with her nose, left and right, "flips" where she leaps in a circle, "stay" so she could pose for photos with people, and "catch" and "drop" with her tennis ball. The residents really enjoyed throwing her ball and they told me their favorite trick was Cali's flips.

At one point, when I felt like Cali needed a little break to reconnect with me, I had her stand up with her paws on my chest and I gave her a hug and a kiss. Four of the New Horizons students surrounded us and each stuck their head in for a kiss from Cali. One by one, she gave each a kiss. This was my favorite moment of the visit and I sure wish I had it on video or photo. Cali is not an overly kissy dog, so I wasn't sure if each person would get their kiss, but she did not disappoint any of them!

Story and photography by Lydia Marcus

Love for Lend A Paw's Dogs

Through our work, we touch the lives of many individuals who will be forever grateful for our smiles, our listening ears, and our dog's wet nose kisses and furry hugs. For whatever reason we each began this work, we all come to realize that it brings us so much more than we could have ever imagined. For me, Animal-Assisted Activities was initially a way to spend quality time with my dog. Over the years I have realized that it has helped me, a formerly painfully shy individual, to become more confident in communicating with people. In wanting to share my happy loving dog with others who were less fortunate, I entered into a partnership with my dog that has changed my own life. I could not do this work without Gabi, my partner, who brings confidence to me, and brings joy to many others.

In starting a new year with Lend A Paw, I want to take a moment to honor some Lend A Paw dogs, who have changed their partner's lives, and have touched many more. We thank you for your wet nose kisses, and your unconditional love. And we send love and comfort to the partners you left behind. May they find peace in knowing that they will not be the only people who miss you.

Archie, a newly certified Lend A Paw volunteer, passed away tragically just one week ago. Archie was not with our program long, but he brought more smiles to the people he met than most people can do in one lifetime. Wonderfully enthusiastic about life, Archie was born to be a therapy dog, and his owners could not wait to get him certified so they could start visiting. We thank you Archie for bringing love and comfort to those in need. We wish your family love and comfort during this difficult time.

Lily Rose, one of our first Lend A Paw volunteers, passed away in March, 2011. She was certified with the program for two years, and was the most special dog her mom, Donna, ever had. Lily used to visit the Jewish Home for the Aging, and delighted all the residents with her big smile and her calm demeanor. Lily's favorite visits were the ones in which she rode in her stroller and dressed in a fancy outfit. She loved to sit on the residents laps and listen to all they had to say while getting a nice ear rub. Thank you, Lily. We miss you.

Hopi, a happy Viszla with lots of love to give, passed away in December, 2011 after a long battle with cancer. Hopi's parents were long time supporters of New Leash On Life, and in 2010, they wanted to give back even more and joined the Lend A Paw program. Hopi loved everyone he met, and brought smiles to their faces that were almost as big as his own. Thank you, Hopi. We miss you.











Written by Sharon Vincuilla, Lend A Paw Director