What a gorgeous day to spend outside meeting and talking with people interested in learning about therapy dogs. That’s just what Bright Spot Therapy Dogs Lilo and Tucker, two docile Great Danes, and their teammate Ern Damon, along with Caber and Niles, two lovable Golden Retrievers, and their teammate Kevin Russell, did yesterday at the grand opening of Dr. Isabel Jurk’s brand new facility, Animal Eye Care of New England, in Whately, MA.
While the two teams of therapy dogs mingled amongst the crowd modeling their good manners and friendly temperaments, Bright Spot Board member Diane Houston and I manned our Bright Spot information booth and answered all kinds of questions. People wanted to know what training they need to do with their dogs, how they go about getting their dogs certified, where therapy dogs visit. There was no end to the variety of questions people asked. And, judging from the interest at yesterday’s event, we should be receiving many inquiries for training and certification. We are always looking for new volunteer teams eager to serve in one or more of the many healthcare and educational facilities requesting visits from our Bright Spot Therapy Dogs.
Several other organizatons were represented at the event, as well. I had a chance to make the rounds of the other booths and chat with the folks from Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society from Springfield, MA, Monadnock Humane Society from Swanzey, NH, Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue from Swanzey, NH, and Keeley Bollen, owner of Animal Alliances Companion Animal Behavior Services from Northampton, MA. We made some nice connections with these folks and picked up some of their great ideas. An added bonus to being there was a tour of the new state-of-the-art facility, that deals solely with animal eye care.
We enjoy having opportunities like this to get out in the community and share our story about the meaningful work our Bright Spot Therapy Dogs do to help so many folks in need.