Visiting Dad at the Hospital

B: "Get well soon!"

"Therapy Dogs" Spreading Christmas Cheer at Hospital

These "Therapy Dogs" were spreading Christmas Cheer to the patients in Med/Surg.

It was very kind of these dogs and their people to take time out from Christmas Day to visit and cheer up patients.

Their people said these dogs are "American Labrador Retrievers". Both dogs weigh 125+ pounds and are apparently normal size for their breed.

They visited my father, along with other patients, and both dogs were very gentle and sweet. 

Sorry for blurry photos, taken with phone. 

 

Visiting the Charles M. Schulz Museum

I wanted to see the Charles M. Schulz Museum because he and his family have done a lot for CCI. 

So after class, I made a quick trip to the museum, and it was very interesting.

Besides the museum, there is also the ice rink, and the gift shop, where I picked up a few souvenirs.

Here are some photos, but if you're ever in the area, I highly recommend a visit. 

Approaching the museum, note Snoopy
on top of his doghouse on the right

Amazing 2-story high wall mural made out of
actual published Peanuts comic strips

Close up of wall mural

a small section of the upstairs

Everything is so detailed,

even the bathrooms!

Nice touch! Tile repeats throughout
the bathrooms, including the stalls.

Snoopy and Woodstock playing in wet cement?

Snoopy's Home Ice

Art gallery and gift shop, note the replica of Charles M. Schulz'
Hollywood star in lower right corner.

Sopwith Camel, taken from the upstairs of the gift shop,
picture taken in honor of my father, a pilot

An example of how international Snoopy was

pictures taken in honor of a friend in Italy

Finding a Hearing Dog Program

I was with one Hearing Dog Program for my first two Hearing Dogs. It was a wonderful program, but is no longer active. They still provide incredible and caring support to those who already have Hearing Dogs who graduated from their Hearing Dog Program before the program closed, but they are no longer training and placing new Hearing Dogs. I think it's so generous that they are still supporting the Hearing Dog graduates, and we all are very blessed that they are doing this. I have heard of other programs closing, disappearing and not supporting the Hearing Dogs they already placed. 

I am embarrassed to have to admit, even though I have had two Hearing Dogs, I wasn't thinking clearly due to grief when my second Hearing Dog passed away unexpectedly. I should have asked the amazing staff at my original Hearing Dog Program to recommend where I should apply. This could have saved me nearly a year of delay, but everything happens for a reason and is meant to be.

Most Service Dog programs are based on where you live. In the United States, some programs are state-wide, while other programs are by regions of the United States, such as the Pacific Northwest. You may be fortunate enough to have a few different programs to choose from in your area. Please, please, please do the research, and ask to visit the facility before you decide on a program to apply with.

I can not emphasize visiting the facility enough. It will enable you to get an excellent idea of what the program is like, what the staff is like, and if you are fortunate enough to have a few different programs to choose from, it will help you to make the best choice of which is the best fit for you. If a program declines your request to visit it, and doesn't have a good reason for refusing your visit, please think twice about applying there.

I am so excited about my new Hearing Dog program. They have an incredible campus as they place other dogs besides the Hearing Dogs, such as Mobility and Therapy dogs. They have a wonderful staff who all are very professional, enthusiastic and love their jobs, and who truly care about dogs and people. They have been around for many years, and they have placed thousands of dogs throughout the years. Even though I have not attended class yet, I cannot recommend this program highly enough, and I am extremely confident in the staff and the program. This program is also nationwide in the United States, and has several regional campuses.

I really hope to be given permission to link to the nationwide program from this blog, as this is the one program I'd recommend very highly.