Cindy (Blossom) returns for the Second Annual Senior Scoop and Reunion in August 2002. She receives a hug from Cheryl, a Sanctuary board member. Cindy was adopted in July 2001.
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More Sanctuary News
More Sanctuary News
Seven seniors dogs pass Sanctuary's 3rd therapy dog class

Congratulations to the seven senior dogs are their handlers who passed the Sanctuary's third therapy dog class that concluded on June 6, 2004. Three dogs adopted through the Sanctuary were among the graduates: Lucy (formerly Lacey) and her handler Jack; Buster (formerly Pitzy) and his handler Amy; and Lily and her handler Eleni. The other graduates are Mandy and her handler Debbie; Hunter and his handler Bonnie; Murray and his handler Betsy; and Sanctuary therapy dog Burt and his handler Deborah.

The Sanctuary is planning an evening class beginning in September if there is enough interest. If you have a calm senior dog (7 or older for medium to small breeds; 5 and older for large breeds) that you think would make a good candidate for therapy dog, please contact the Sanctuary to express your interest and availability.

2004 graduates from left to right: Bonnie & Hunter; Betsy & Murray;
Deborah & Burt; Eleni & Lily; Amy & Buster; Jack & Lucy; Debbie & Mandy



3rd Annual Senior Scoop and Reunion Smashing Success

August 23, 2003 was a banner day for area senior dogs. Dozens of adoptees returned to Sanctuary board member Elaine Brown and her husband Tim's home for the Sanctuary's 3rd Annual Senior Scoop and Reunion. The adopted dogs sported red bandanas and enjoyed contests and prizes while their humans bought raffle tickets and bid on several live auction items, including a pet portrait by Barb Steibling. Senior dogs still looking for their forever homes proudly donned yellow bandanas, and Gretchen Jean, the Sanctuary's new therapy dog was seen in her traditional teal bandana, marking her as a permanent resident of the Sanctuary. Fritzie, shown below in his yellow bandana, will be back next year sporting a bright red bandana because he found his forever home at the reunion. Thanks to everyone who helped to make this the most successful reunion ever.


                         
                Fiona and SSD volunteer Barb                                 Cassie once abused Coonhound

                 
  Bill and his best "Buddy"                       Char and Joyce with Fritzie & friends
                
Cindy at her second reunion                                  Queen Chloe and John

Second Therapy Dog Training Class Graduates Six Seniors

Thanks to a generous grant from the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a Key Bank Trust, The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs has concluded its second class leading to the Therapy Dog International test and certification. These classes are geared specifically to the older dog. Six senior dogs successfully earned their Canine Good Citizenship and Therapy Dog International certificates on June 8, 2003, and will begin work in area nursing homes and hospitals. Most of these dogs were rescued as seniors from shelters and animal control facilities.

Congratulations to Brain and Tabitha, a 7 y/o Wheaten Terrier mix; Michelle and Jonah, a 7 y/o Bernese Mountain Dog mix; Charlotte and Wild Wiener, a 7 y/o Basset/Lab mix; Lisa and Gus, a 7 y/o Border Collie/Chow mix; Elaine and Shadow, a 10 y/o partially deaf Dalmatian; and Deborah and Gretchen; an 8 y/o mostly Border Collie, whom Georgia has been training for several months to represent the Sanctuary as official spokesdog.

     

Our next classes begin in April 2004, so reserve a spot for your senior dog. In order to participate, your dog must be a senior dog (generally seven or older but large breeds may be considered senior at an earlier age), calm and friendly, and free of aggression toward people or other animals. We will offer classes on the east and west side of Cleveland this fall, so if you have been waiting for a west side class, your wait is over.
Working together with a therapy dog is a wonderful experience; the first time a resident of a care facility lights up at the sight of your therapy dog or lovingly strokes his fur, you will understand that your dog offers a world of hope, memories, and love to people in need.
If you are interested in joining our one of our April classes, please contact the Sanctuary for more details.

Canine Massage Class for Senior Dogs

The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs and Maria Duthie, certified animal massage practitioner and owner of Annisage, are planning an introductory class to teach guardians of senior dogs massage techniques to improve the health and quality of life of their senior dogs. Massage also strengthens the bond between dog and human companions and provides a quiet, close time of interaction.

An introductory class in October 13, 2003, was canceled, but look for new class offerings in the spring. The cost of the class is $55. This introductory class is a prerequisite for the advanced seminar in senior dog massage being planned for summer 2004.  If you are interested, please contact the Sanctuary for more details. Class size is limited to allow maximum individual instruction. Maria is generously donating a portion of the class tuition to the Sanctuary.

To learn more about canine massage, visit the Annisage web site at www.annisage.com.

VetCentric, an online newsletter, has a feature article on canine massage. Click http://www.vetcentric.com/magazine/magazineArticle.cfm?ARTICLEID=1417


Georgia begins Experimental Treatment for Cancer

Georgia, Sanctuary therapy dog, began experimental treatment for her bone cancer. The Navy Protocol, named after Navy who was the first dog to successfully use the new protocol, involves a drug cocktail designed to restrict blood supply to the tumors. The research data from Georgia and others will be collected and used to assist in the search for a cure for cancer. For more information on the Navy Protocol, read the July 24, 2002 article in USA Today at http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2002-07-24-cover-cancer_x.htm. Or visit the Angiogenesis web site at http://www.angio.org and click on Pets & Wildlife.

Georgia will complete her first 60 days of the treatment and be evaluated for progress in mid January. Please check back for an update on her progress.

UPDATE: Georgia has discontinued the Navy Protocol. She was experiencing some negative side effects, including nausea. She had been evaluated for possible eye removal, but our vet discovered an enlarged heart in the routine pre surgery tests. Georgia is also showing evidence of early kidney disease, so she will be allowed to live out her life at the Sanctuary surrounded by her dog and human friends. Georgia has given so much love and happiness to everyone she has met. She is my hero.

UPDATE, June 2003: Georgia continues to enjoy her life despite her worsening heart condition. She attended the Sanctuary's spring therapy dog classes as official dog supervisor and sampler of all training treats. For the last class, she again donned her old woman costume, and she participated in a relay race (for a hot dog, she will still do anything). The cancer in her facial bone is growing but not as fast as we had feared. Georgia's love of life is an inspiration to everyone who knows her.

June 25, 2003: Georgia crossed the Rainbow Bridge after her body failed her. Her spirit remained strong until the end. The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs has established the Georgia Memorial Fund in her memory. Contributions to this fund will be used to continue Georgia's work to increase awareness of and respect for senior dogs in our society. Contributors will be acknowledged on our web site. If you would like more information about the Georgia Memorial Fund, please contact the Sanctuary.

First Therapy Dog Training Class Graduates Seven Seniors

Thanks to a generous grant from the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a Key Bank Trust, The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs has concluded its first class leading to the Therapy Dog International test and certification. These classes are geared specifically to the older dog. Seven senior dogs successfully earned their Canine Good Citizenship and Therapy Dog International certificates on November 24, 2002, and will begin work in area nursing homes and hospitals. Most of these dogs were rescued as seniors from shelters and animal control facilities. Congratulations to Katie, a 10-y/o Gordon Setter mix; Mathilda, a 7-y/o Basset/Lab; Sophie, a 7-y/o Pomeranian mix; Sheba, a 7-y/o German Shepherd; Nikki, a 7-y/o Boxer; Farina, a 7-y/o Poodle; and Lucky, an 8-y/o Shepherd mix.