Red Cross Pet Therapy Volunteers Raena Korenman and Truffles, Newburgh, New York

When Raena Korenman and her husband, Alan, visited a poodle breeder, only one tiny chocolate poodle was available to be shown. That little ball of fur went over, licked Alan, climbed on his lap and curled up to go to sleep. The rest is history. The Korenmans took Truffles Piper Shadow Korenman home.

At just three pounds, Truffles started "pet therapy" work almost immediately. Two months after adopting Truffles Raena had knee replacement surgery and Truffles began "visiting" Raena in rehab. The moment Truffles arrived, word would get out and patients would flock to Raena’s room to hold and be comforted by the tiny creature.

At home the first command Truffles learned was “Go”—meaning, go up or down the stairs before Raena, so Truffles wouldn’t get crushed by a crutch or make Raena slip, trip or fall. Truf learned so fast that the Korenman’s knew their tiny bundle would make a wonderful therapy dog.

Today, at five-and-a-half pounds, Truffles is in her fifth year of making people smile and comforting those in need. She has worked at Elant Nursing Home in Goshen, N.Y., Cubs Place (a gathering spot for children whose families are in distress) in Newburgh, N.Y., the Sarasota Florida library, where children in a Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.) program read to Truffles, and at a R.E.A.D. program at an elementary school in Nokomis, Florida.

Truf’s most recent and favorite spot is at the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) at West Point as part of the Red Cross Pet Therapy program. The other visiting dogs are the BIG guys that the soldiers love to wrestle with and pat. Yet Truffles heads out all excited in her camouflage scarf and brings just as much comfort and joy to the soldiers who sit and cuddle her.

Next up for Truffles will be certification as Raena’s personal service dog. Always at Raena’s side, Truffles has comforted Raena through everything from joint replacements, to stroke, to cancer. She doesn't care what may be wrong with Raena—or anyone else for that matter. Truffles just cares about providing much-needed comfort. Truf may be tiny, but knows she does a hefty job wherever she goes.



Red Cross Pet Therapy Volunteers Lorraine Brown and Meeka, New City, N.Y.

Lorraine Brown and her husband, Les, have always owned dogs, each one unique and special. After their last mixed Lab passed away, Lorraine decided she wanted a new dog, one with the temperament to be trained as a therapy dog.

Although the family was going to search for a shelter animal, their vet recommended that they look at a sweet apricot-colored Labradoodle pup with a lovable nature; the last of a litter of seven. The connection was instant: The puppy threw herself on them and blanketed them with kisses.

Lorraine enrolled Meeka in puppy training almost immediately and, at four months, Meeka proved to be a quick learner of obedience commands. She continued in classes to become a Canine Good Citizen, followed by training to be a therapy dog.

Upon graduation, Meeka and Lorraine became regular attendees at Friedwald Nursing Home in New City, New York. After a few visits, Meeka embraced her new status as a therapy dog, happily greeting residents with a wagging tail. Her joy took on new dimensions, and she actually displayed a smiling face when she met family visitors with children.

With Meeka’s happy disposition and good nature with people, it was easy for Lorraine to decide to get involved with the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) at West Point as part of the Red Cross Pet Therapy program.

Again, Meeka proved herself to be a social creature, enjoying her interaction with the Soldiers, bouncing, with her tail wagging. When approaching West Point, Meeka’s excitement becomes evident as she plunges out of the car, pulling Lorraine toward the WTU. She invariably has fun spending time with her other therapy dog friends and saying her hellos to the Soldiers and other personnel.

With Meeka’s joy in meeting children, it was logical for Lorraine to obtain a R.E.A.D certificate and get involved with the younger population. In their first experience, Lorraine and Meeka attended a Valentine’s Day party at the Army Community Center, where children of deployed Soldiers read to individual therapy dog teams. Meeka eagerly awaited pets and hugs as she obediently lay down between Lorraine and a youngster.

Lorraine feels so very fortunate and proud to be the owner of this special dog, Meeka, and of how Meeka shares the gifts of love and joy. They both look forward to discovering many more opportunities to enrich people’s lives.

Pet Therapy Volunteers Pat Coglianese and Jessie, New City, New York

Photo: Liz Borda

Jessie, a five-year-old German Shepherd, spent the first two years of her life in a service dog program, training to lead a blind person. Unfortunately, Jessie is very friendly, and the service dog trainers were unable to train her not to want to say hello to people and dogs passing by.

At two years old, Jessie was released from the program and adopted by a convent of nuns who run a soup kitchen in an unsafe neighborhood. The nuns wanted a German Shepherd that could run free in their soup kitchen yard and bark at anyone who tried to climb over the fence at night.

But Jessie wouldn’t bark—because she is too friendly!

The nuns decided she was not the dog for them. They asked dog trainer Pat Coglianese if she knew anyone who might want Jessie. Someone did want Jessie—Pat!

Pat trained Jessie as a therapy dog as well as a Reading Assistance Education (R.E.A.D.) dog. Jessie is now a therapy dog whose friendly personality is perfect for reading programs with children. She and Pat also visit soldiers recovering at the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) at West Point.

What’s more, Jessie also helps Pat train other people’s dogs. She is Pat’s best friend and gets to say hello to many people and dogs—just what she loves to do!

Pet Therapy Volunteer Barbara Moccia and Skylar, Nanuet, New York

by Barbara Moccia

Several years ago, the Moccia household was filled with pets: our wonderful Schnoodle (a cross between a Schnauzer and a Poodle), Bingo; our cats and a hamster. Sadly, all of them passed away. Bingo was 18 when he died. He was ill for a while, but waited to see our oldest daughter, Elissa. The day after she came home from college, Bingo passed away.

Once all our pets were gone and our daughters were out on their own, my husband, Mike, said, No more pets, despite knowing I desperately wanted another dog. I would even put a leash around a ceramic dog we had and pretend to be taking it for a walk!
One day, seven long years later, Mike saw a TV program about a new breed of dog called a Labradoodle. Labradoodles originated in Australia, where they are a recognized breed and are bred to be therapy dogs.

A few years before Mike saw this program, I’d told him that one of my goals was to have a therapy dog. I first became aware of therapy dogs when my mom, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s, had to be admitted into a nursing home. As much as we wanted to still keep her at home, we could not. She had become a threat to her own safety. While visiting her at the home, a group and their dogs visited the residents. I saw what a wonderful impact the dogs had on the residents, including my mom, who had never really liked dogs. I never forgot seeing this.

Mike remembered all this while watching the program, which aired around the winter holidays. He told me about it, then asked me to view the tape he had made of the program. I immediately fell in love. He said to sit down as he had something to tell me—I could finally have my dog!

I did a lot of research. At that time there were only three breeders of Labradoodles in the United States, and the best one, Glen Eden, was in Virginia. I called and told them what I was looking for. I waited two months and there she was, my beautiful Skylar. It was love at first sight, right from the Internet. We drove to Virginia and picked her up. The love affair is still going strong.

I knew Skylar would make a perfect therapy dog because of her wonderful personality and her loving way. I went to Canine Coaching in New City, N.Y., where the owner, Pat Coglianese, worked with us both. Skylar graduated from “Kindergarten” and received her Good Citizen Award, and then we began therapy dog training. Our first attempt was not successful; Skylar was too young, just one-year-old. We waited until she was almost three and then—SUCCESS!

Skylar has provided much happiness to a group of autistic young men in a group home. She has also visited nursing homes. They love her large size, which makes it easier for bedside visits.

Pat told me about the pet therapy program being implemented at West Point's Warrior Transition Unit. Through the program, our therapy dogs would help Soldiers with physical injuries, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder and other emotional stressors brought about by battle and separation from family and loved ones. I immediately said we would be part of it.

Skylar is so excited on Wednesday when we get in the car and head up to West Point. We bring her favorite toy, a tennis ball. She loves to entertain everyone with it, playing catch. (I might add, she is a great catcher.)

It is fun for the Soldiers to watch Skylar interact with the other therapy dogs, especially Molly and Abby, with whom she shares the tennis ball. She loves to give kisses and she will “talk” to anyone to let them know she wants a treat, or to have a door opened for her!

It amazes me how she knows exactly what each Soldier needs from her, be it just to sit quietly and let them pet her, to give kisses or go over with her tail wagging. When there are no Soldiers around she is truly sad.

Skylar participated in the Army Community Service Valentine's Day party where children of deployed Soldiers were videotaped reading to her. The videotapes were then sent to the deployed parent. It was a beautiful experience.

Skylar and I are honored to be part of this program.

Red Cross Pet Therapy Volunteers Judy Audevard and Kizzy, Somers, New York

Judy Audevard and her 11-year-old Bichon Frise, Kizzy, came to pet therapy in an unexpected way.

Audevard adopted Kizzy from the Greater New York Bichon Frise Rescue Group in 2001. Soon after, Audevard decided to take photos of Kizzy with her mom, who had suffered a stroke two years earlier. Her mom was not only unable to move her right arm or hand, she also had great difficulty speaking.

Audevard placed Kizzy on her mom's lap. Her mom held Kizzy with her left hand and started stroking him with her right.

“I asked her if she realized what she was doing,” said Audevard, “and she said, ever so clearly, ‘Of course, I do, I'm petting Kizzy!’"

"I was watching a miracle unfold., said Audevard.

A few days later, Kizzy was again sitting with Audevard’s mom.

“While mom tried to read a magazine aloud, he appeared to be listening to her!” said Audevard. “The power of this little dog can never be measured.”

Audevard then had Kizzy trained as a therapy dog. He has certification from Therapy Dogs Incorporated, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizenship, and Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.).

Audevard and Kizzy have worked with children and adults at hospitals, libraries and schools in Orangeburg, Harrison, West Haverstraw, Hastings-on-Hudson, Pearl River, Nanuet, and Tappan, New York.

Kizzy has also enjoyed some measure of fame. Fans can visit his website, Kizzy’s Korner. He has also been featured in local newspapers and “Ladies Home Journal,” and appeared on TV: WABC Eyewitness News and News Channel 12.

Kizzy even stars in his own book: “One Incredible Dog, Kizzy,”a story of a day in his life. Kizzy and Audevard have traveled to more than 100 schools promoting the book and explaining the benefits of reading to a dog to students and teachers.

Recently Audevard was instrumental in implementing the Red Cross pet therapy program. With experience running her own marketing business, as well as her and Kizzy’s involvement with pet therapy and the R.E.A.D. program, Judy saw the need for leadership for this program. She worked with Leslie Louango, an occupational therapist at West Point, to implement the program, which involves pet therapy volunteers and their dogs visiting soldiers assigned to the Warrior Transition Unit at the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.

Recently, Audevard and Kizzy, along with several other R.E.A.D.-certified teams, worked with children from the West Point Military Academy enrolled in a R.E.A.D. program. At the group’s last event, children of deployed soldiers were videotaped reading to a R.E.A.D.-certified dog. The video was then sent to the deployed parent.

Kizzy has received his TDI-AOV certificate—a therapy dog’s most prestigious award—for being an Active Outstanding Volunteer, and has made more than 400 documented therapy visits. His favorite pastimes are chasing squirrels in his back yard, playing “Kizzy tag” with boys and girls, and sleeping.

Red Cross Pet Therapy Volunteers Diane Tulp and Cody, Tenafly, New Jersey

When Diane Tulp’s youngest daughter, Stephanie, was a freshman in high school, she needed a community project. She discovered Therapy Dogs while watching “Animal Planet” and decided it was a perfect service project as her family had a year-old poodle, Cody.

Stephanie and Diane became registered handlers in Therapy Dogs, Inc. Shortly thereafter, the program needed a Tester/Observer (T/O) in order to continue and grow. After a few months of training, Diane became certified as Therapy Dogs, Inc. T/O.

Diane and Stephanie began visiting a local nursing home in their hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey. Patients loved their furry friend and begged them to return for another visit as soon as possible.

That was more than 10 years ago. Diane now coordinates 25 to 30 active volunteers visiting anywhere from six to eight facilities per month along with local library “Read to Dog” programs. The volunteers work with emotionally disabled children, teens and young adults, adults in nursing homes, senior day care facilities, rehab centers and hospices.

Recently Diane learned of the Greater New York Red Cross Pet Therapy Program from active local program volunteer, Laurie Cramsie, owner of sweet therapy dog, Abby, a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Diane and Cody have enjoyed their visits to West Point.

"It's a way to give back, and in a small way, I feel connected to this wonderful community," she said. “Although I think the warriors prefer larger dogs such as German Shepherds, they can't help but smile when they see my 10-pound Cody in Army fatigues and a buzz cut."

Cody is the Tulp’s first and only dog. Selected from a breeder in Hackettstown, New Jersey, Cody is calm and affectionate and gets along well with other dogs. The Tulps wanted a small dog, and, due to allergies in the family, selected a poodle.

Cody is the perfect lap dog. Patients love his soft fur. He is older now and so used to therapy dog work that he can quietly sit on a patient’s lap for as long as necessary. And he entertains everyone with his “jumping up and rolling over” routine.

Stephanie did an excellent job training Cody, teaching him many tricks from the time he was a puppy. Even years later, after Stephanie left for college, Diane continued teaching and training Cody.

“Poodles are smart, so it was fun and easy,” she said.

Recently, Cody learned how to jump up on a piano bench and pound on the keys, “singing” a little (some imagination is needed here). His new “trick” has caused much laughter at every facility he and Diane visit.

Red Cross Pet Therapy Volunteers Susan Henson and Darla, New City, New York

Darla, whose official name is “West Hill Do-Si-Do My Darla,” is an approximately four-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever owned by Susan and Elliot Henson. Darla was bred by Laura Lafreniere in Middlefield, Massachusetts.

Darla is the Henson’s fifth Labrador Retriever. All their Labs prior to Darla were males; goofy, wonderful, strong Labs. They were well trained. They competed in Obedience and Conformation obtaining many ribbons and Obedience Titles. The Hensons were heartbroken after the loss of their fourth Lab, Isaac. For their next dog, they were interested in other breeds but couldn't decide on a different breed so they decided to get a female.

Darla is outgoing and not quite as distracted as her male predecessors so Susan decided to socialize and train Darla as a therapy dog. Darla has also “trained herself” to sit by Susan’s side until a passerby or an acquaintance says, "Oh what a pretty dog!" That’s Darla’s cue to get up and say hello, get a pet or perhaps a treat.

She tries to get away with a “jump up” but Susan thinks they have that pretty much under control except when Darla visits with the Soldiers at West Point on Wednesdays with the Red Cross Pet Therapy Program. Darla is always very happy to see her new friends—dogs and soldiers alike.

The Soldiers are happy to see her as well. They play with her and pet her a lot. Darla loves the Soldiers’ play style (very loose and casual) and is totally exhausted when it’s time to go home.

Susan says the other dog visitation teams they work with are wonderful. Everyone cares about helping the Soldiers.

“This special privilege and opportunity to help our Soldiers makes us feel very special indeed.”

Red Cross Pet Therapy Volunteers James and Elaine Cappuccino and Miss Lilly, Stony Point, New York

In 2004, Elaine Cappuccino’s Christmas surprise from her daughter, who lives in Maryland, was a two-pound, seven-ounce toy poodle that she named Miss Lilly. On the drive home, this little red fuzzy puppy with glistening eyes and floppy ears rested quietly on Elaine’s lap, knowing that she was safe and loved. And Elaine realized how fortunate she was to have Miss Lilly.

Elaine is a registered nurse forced into early retirement 20 years ago due to multiple sclerosis, which has affected her left leg and balance. Helping other people now seemed like a fading dream until a friend with a therapy dog, Judy Audevard and her dog Kizzy, suggested that the affectionate and loving Miss Lilly could bring joy to others. But how could Elaine accomplish such a feat with no balance?
The answer was Elaine’s walker. Miss Lilly was comfortable with wheelchairs and walkers, since Elaine uses both at home. Lilly rides in the low basket on Elaine's walker whenever they leave home and jumps in and out of the basket upon command.

Elaine contacted Therapy Dogs Incorporated and began the process of becoming a member in September 2007. She received special permission to have Miss Lilly ride in the walker during visits.

Once registered, Elaine, Miss Lilly and Elaine’s husband, Jim began visiting Riverview Assisted Living facility in Haverstraw, New York every week with therapy dog friends Kizzy (a Bichon Frise), and Brandy (a Standard Poodle).

Miss Lilly dances for the amusement of patients and does a few tricks, although the patients say she could get away without doing anything because she is so cute. One patient, who rarely spoke, gestured to her lap and, once Miss Lilly was there, hugged and kissed her and said “cute puppy.”

Miss Lilly even has a much-admired wardrobe. It consists of dresses, t-shirts, sweaters, sweat suits, coats, matching collars and leashes, and bows for her head. Treats are carried in a treat bag which clips on to her belt. Miss Lilly gets excited when Elaine puts bows on her or sees treats going into the bag.

Miss Lilly joyfully whimpers during the drive for a visit. She rides in the basket of Elaine’s walker and moves from person to person, sitting in their laps and showering them with kisses upon request while they cuddle and pet her.

Last summer the Cappuccinos and Miss Lilly and joined the Greater New York Red Cross Pet Therapy program and began visiting the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) at the United States Military Academy, at West Point, New York on Wednesdays. The mission of the WTU is to help soldiers with physical injuries, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, anxiety, depression and/or other emotional stressors brought about by battle and separation from family and loved ones to develop coping and relaxation skills.

At the WTU Miss Lilly joins several other dog-and-owner teams. The dogs help soldiers relax as they pet, play and interact with them. Because of her diminutive size, the soldiers pick her up and play with her and Miss Lilly responds by giving them kisses.

Elaine thoroughly enjoys this program. “The staff, soldiers and everyone at West Point are pleasant and helpful to us,” she says. “It's a cheerful environment with plenty of parking for us. Miss Lilly looks forward to her weekly visits with the soldiers and her pet visitation dog friends. Elaine also enjoys seeing the soldiers, the dogs and their handlers since they are all friends.

Jim, a Korean war veteran and member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, enjoys these visits as well; he enjoys talking with the soldiers because they share a common bond.

Because of Miss Lilly’s docile demeanor and loving personality, hospice visits may soon be in her future. The Cappuccinos and Miss Lilly thank Therapy Dogs Incorporated for blessing them with the opportunity to use their lives to bring a bit of sunshine into the lives of others.