Only in Bucks County!: Pit Bulls

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Only in Bucks County: Talk to The Dogs

Aside from sharing photos of some of Bucks County's cutest pups, this post is to bring attention to Richboro's Nor'Wester Readers Canine Assisted Learning Program. When I first heard of this therapy program in Bucks County and parts of Montgomery County where kids read to dogs, I thought it was therapy for the dogs. It is actually therapy for the kids!
The premise is that the presence of therapy dog teams offers a stress free learning environment that will increase a student's self-esteem and confidence.
I had the opportunity to see what this wonderful organization does first-hand when I took these photos of kids reading to the canines at the Northampton Library. I got to see some of the Nor'wester dogs (and many others) again at their Dog Walk and Family Fair at Tyler State Park, which I attended a few weekends ago to support this interesting local mission!

A Better Way Belgians were there at the event.

And so was my Cody Bear!

(Pit Bull Paint)

NorWester Readers are in need of more Therapy Dogs in Lower Bucks County.

Does your dog love kids.... and a good story?

Click HERE to get YOUR Canine tested to volunteer!

"We never really own a dog as much as he owns us."

-Gene Hill

Monday, July 25, 2011

Pit Bulls & Shoeless Golfers

My friend Nancy has been so supportive of my involvement with ReUseYourShoes. She understands that it's something I'm passionate about, and she helps me in any way possible. Nancy brings me shoes that she's collected at work; her daughter has loaned a hand at many of our shoe sorts, and they both came to our Inaugural Golf Outing last week to check out the shoelesss golfers, and just to be there with me. Their support has been really encouraging. I appreciate it, and I would like to thank them by bringing to light something that THEY are passionate about!

Not only is Nancy raising two wonderful young women, she also fosters Pit Bull breeds until they find a forever home. The program is through Trenton Animal Shelter. Not only do they help at Adoption events every Sunday at PetSmart in Fairless Hills, Nancy and her girls routinely take dogs into their home who have not had an ideal life, and treat them with the dignity and the love they deserve. During the foster period, I have seen these dogs go from malnourished and skittish, to the handsome and confident breed they should be. When I asked her if she is sad to see them go (most dogs are in her care for 4-6 weeks) she said that the pleasure in knowing they will now have a good home outweighs anything else. She and her daughters are wonderful advocates for this breed!