Sorry for the mad spacing and font on this web site. The editing software is not behaving and is in the process of being changed!

 

On this page today 11 December 2009

• Our Christmas Party Pics

• Purina World Dog Games

• Velma’s Volunteers Meet Dr Harry

• Fun At Gosford Pet Expo in October 09

• Professional Dog Trainers Foundation Course.  For new dog trainers and dedicated dog lovers.
• Hear About A New Pets As Therapy Volunteer’s Very First Visit!

• Farewell Beautiful Julia!

 

 Our Christmas Party Pics

Margaret with special guest, Santa! 

For more pics go to: http://doglovers.vpweb.com.au/slideshow.html

Purina World Dog Games

Marian getting in the mood! 

Celebrity veterinarian Dr Katrina Warren couldn’t escape our group! 

 

 

Velma, Liz, Marian, Christine, Cheryl, Sarah and Candy

 

 

Marian and Sarah celebrity spotting!

 

Audrey, VPAT’s pets as therapy dog grabbing the lime light!

Inside the stadium.

 

Velma’s Volunteers Meet Dr Harry!

Many thanks to Liz and Bella, Sandra and Ayla and Marian for attending our stall at a pet show held at Derks Produce, Thirlmere last weekend. Bella, Liz’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniel attracted people with her cuteness and Ayla, black Labrador entertained folk with her clever tricks!

 

Fun At Gosford Pet Expo in October 09

We love attending pet shows and talking about the many benefits of pets as therapy and our amazing program that brings smiles and joy into the hearts of thousands of challenged and frail adults and children throught NSW each month.

We were delighted to give a crowd demonstration regarding the strict health and safety procedures we follow.

Marion was giving a running commentary whilst Noreen and the lovey Missi (toy poodle) demonstrated.

               Liz holding Bella’s ribbons won from the “best trick” and “quickest eater” competitions!Well done Bella!

Many thanks to Marian, Noreen and Missi, Liz and Bella for representing us on this day!

 

Professional Dog Training Foundation Course

For new dog trainers and dedicated dog lovers

 

Elective 1 – For new dog trainers and dedicated dog lovers

 

Dog psychology

How dogs think

How to give effective, fun and successful dog training

Sit and stay

Lay down and stay

Get on the mat and stay

Walk on a leash calmly without pulling

Be around people without jumping up on them

Come when called

Toileting on command and in a specified place

Stop barking on command

Plus other basic commands

Dog fun tricks

Fee: $850.00

 

Elective 2 – For people intending to become professional part time or full time dog trainers

 

How to obtain regular clients and develop a client base

How to set up and manage a dog training business

Basic book keeping for a professional dog trainer                             

Health, safety, insurance and legal issues for a professional dog trainer

How to succeed as a professional dog trainer

Fee: $950.00

 

On going training and business support and advice is available for course graduates.

 

For full details contact Velma: petcourses@yahoo.com or phone 0432 578 210

A New Pets As Therapy Volunteer’s Very First Visit! 

         HONEY’S AND MY FIRST VPAT VISIT

    by Peter Jefferson October 2009

 

The appointment was for 2.30pm on Wednesday 16 September 2009 at a facility for aged and frail people, and we were to meet our volunteer instructor and mentor Liz, half an hour beforehand to run through what was required, and to enable me to ask any last minute questions.

 

I had told Liz earlier that I was a little anxious about the visit as I thought ‘there was so much potential to get it wrong’ (a great negative approach, that was!) Liz assured me that all new volunteers feel that way on their first visit, but because of my concerns she had kindly prepared a ‘checklist’ which she ran through with me in that half hour before we started the visit. Incidentally, Honey (a gorgeous spoodle) and I both felt very posh in our smart new VPAT apparel provided by Velma a few days earlier, and of course Honey had had a bath and groom just for this special day. 

 

Well, the big moment had arrived, we entered the facility, met our contact person (she carried the anti-bacterial hand wash), completed the necessary paperwork (which included a list of patients with ‘special needs’ of which we needed to be aware), and we started on our rounds. Just to paint a quick picture of the situation, we started in a ‘common room’ where there were a few patients, some in wheelchairs and some seated at tables then we went on to the residents’ rooms.

 

The first lady we met, “E” was very keen to meet Honey and also very keen to pat her on the head which is strictly forbidden, as dogs can feel threatened by this. She was a dog lover and we chatted for a short while, whilst at the same time I was trying to think of all the VPAT precautions and requirements including holding Honey facing away from the patient, being careful to avoid the patient’s feet, etc etc. It all went smoothly but unfortunately just as we were leaving “E” started to cry! Fortunately, Liz with her wisdom from experience, comforted her and she recovered quite quickly, but I won’t forget that my first patient on our very first visit actually cried!

 

The remainder of our visit went smoothly, with some sad moments but a few laughs as well. The patients were quite wonderful and showed varying degrees of interest in meeting Honey, and we chatted to people in the corridors as we moved from room to room.  I recall patients in wheelchairs, a couple of Salvation Army officers and the nice American man (a patient) who liked his Johnny Cash CDs. Then the last lady we saw, another “E” was quite frail and elderly had been asleep. She had limited vision but she really enjoyed meeting Honey and she commented on how smooth her coat was, not realizing however, that her hand had strayed off Honey and she was actually stroking my arm! We all had a little chuckle.

 

That concluded our visit. Just the final paperwork to be completed and signed then sadly, we left.

 

Outside Liz and I sat on a bus stop seat and she kindly went through and explained a few more things to me and the appropriate paperwork.

 

Thank you Liz for looking after us so well, for your patience and friendliness throughout the visit and for reassuring me that everything would be OK – it was. And thank you to my beautiful Honey who won the hearts of the staff and patients alike. I think she took the whole visit in her stride. She was the ‘star’ and I was very proud of her.

Farewell Beautiful Julia!

Julia and Marta have been valued volunteers with Velma’s Pets As Therapy for several years. Julia had a beautiful temperament, was very gentle and loved people. Julia would have brought much joy to literally thousands of challenged adults and children during her time with us.

Yesterday, the angels decided it was time that Julia joined them in heaven.

Farewell Julia, you created a great deal of joy during your time here on earth.

 

Purina World Dog Games 1st Nov 09

Margaret, with special guest, Santa!

For more pictures go to: http://doglovers.vpweb.com.au/slideshow.html

 

 

Purina World Dog Games

For more pictures go to: http://doglovers.vpweb.com.au/slideshow.html

For more pictures go to: http://doglovers.vpweb.com.au/slideshow.html