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Community Corner

With One Tail Wag: Rainbow Dogs Comfort Young and Old

Violet, a certified therapy dog, talks about the volunteer work that she and her owner enjoy.

My name is Violet, and I am a six-year-old miniature white poodle.  

When I was a one-year-old puppy, I was homeless and living on the streets of Chicago. My first bit of luck came when someone scooped me up and took me to an animal shelter. This was like heaven! Some friendly humans cleaned up my coat, gave me yummy food, and made a warm bed for me.

One day the Harper family came to the shelter, looking to adopt a four-legged family member. It was love at first sight; I went home with them that day; it was the luckiest day of my life. Do you see my tail wagging? I just get so excited when I think about it.

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The Harpers don’t have children of their own, but I really enjoy when their nieces and nephews come over to play with me. When Caroline saw how good I was with the kids, she got the idea I’d make a good therapy dog.

Caroline contacted Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy (RAAT) in Morton Grove, which is where we live.  RAAT trains therapy dogs along with their owners.

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RAAT told Caroline that to become a therapy dog, I had to be at least six months old and know basic commands like sit, stay and down.  I also had to be good with people and not become stressed in new situations.

Once trained and certified, therapy dogs visit hospitals, healthcare facilities, libraries and schools.  We interact with the people we meet and give them our non-judgmental attention and unconditional love.

Caroline and I completed the six-week RAAT training, and I received my Rainbow vest. Isn't it cool?

 I know when Caroline gets out my Rainbow vest that we are going out to make some new friends. I always do a little dance to show Caroline how much I’m looking forward to our outing.

Caroline and I regularly visit hospice patients, developmentally disabled children and adults at Misericordia, and children at the nearby libraries.

Yesterday I met some new friends, Lauren and Caleb Throop, at the Morton Grove library. Lauren and Caleb are students at Park View School.

Lauren selected Lady and the Tramp to read to my buddy, a Scottish terrier. Caleb read My Life as a Book to another pal, who is a golden retriever.

If you would like to meet me or one of my canine friends, the next Read to a Rainbow Dog program is scheduled for March 14 at the Morton Grove Public Library.  Call 847-929-5102 to register.

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