Caring Canines-Literacy Companions Lend a Helping Paw!

To celebrate the conclusion of our first Literacy Tutoring Session, we invited Caring Canine Pet Therapy Dogs to GiGi’s Playhouse. Caring Canines is a pet therapy program created by Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat to provide certified pet therapy teams who offer unconditional love and a peaceful presence to those in need in the community. Caring Canine’s mission is to partner with local organizations to provide volunteer pet therapy teams who enrich lives by promoting physical and emotional health, and to help comfort and bring happiness to those in need.

Erin at Caring Canines wrote, “We had such a wonderful time visiting with participants at GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis this December. Our canines absolutely loved being read to, not to mention all the love and attention they received! It’s so great to see the difference our teams can make in the lives of others, and even better when we hear how those we visit with, make a difference in the lives of our teams as well!

One team shared that they experienced a very special moment when one of the children, who was very reluctant to approach the dogs, after observing the others interacting, decided on their own to cautiously approach & interact. ❤️

Another team had a good laugh when her dog demonstrated what a good listener she was. Chivas was laying down while being read to, and as the girl read the story, she said the word “squirrel”… Chivas jumped up looking for the squirrel! — Chivas was actually paying attention to the story the child was reading her. 😂

We are so grateful for our Pet Therapy Teams and all that they do for our communities!”

Thank you Caring Canines for a special opportunity for GiGi’s Playhouse participants, and their siblings, to practice their literacy skills and to interact with your sweet, well-trained dogs. Unconditional love, two listening ears and accepting of all hugs. We are ever so grateful. Dogs are Generation G too – Accepting. Generous. Kind. We appreciate all of you sharing your, and your dogs’, loving presence.

Because of the exposure and positive experience from this afternoon event, one of our young participants’ school is looking into inviting Caring Canines Teams to their school for a literacy event! We would love to have everyone back to the Playhouse again after the success and excitement of this event. Thanks Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat for “Lending a Helping Paw”!

A big shout out to the wonderful teams-Tricia & Bentley, Jennifer & Jesse, Kathy & Lola, Tara & Peter, Nancy & Chivas, Dawn & Blue, and thanks to Erin for coordinating the Caring Canine Teams!

(Photo Credit: Sharon Bottcher)

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