Women's best friend

A women is a special creation of God. No matter of what specie they are, God has made them all the same. A women has to undergo so much stress, many time it is such that she can't talk to anyone about it or share with anyone. So many times, she just needs someone who will listen to her, comfort her. Who better than a dog to provide her company in such times. We dogs won't frown to see your messy hair in the morning, nor will we judge you if you put on a bit of weight. You can talk and talk and we dogs can listen to you with out a word (with our ears perked and head tilted to add on to the cuteness). So in all a dog is not a man's best friend, but a Women's REAL best friend. I got a letter from my dear friend Bansari, with who I spent some time last year, who made me realize what difference a little time spent with dogs can do for women who are silently undergoing a lot. Lots of love, hugs and licks to you dear Bansari and hope we meet soon.

Here are few excerpts from her letter to me....

Dear Goldie….

For long, I have known that YOU (dogs) are considered to be humans’ best friends and that someone who has never interacted with dogs in his or her life has never been made to feel special through the language of unconditional love and endless attention. Coming from a typical “pets are not allowed” family, this has been a story of my life as well…but not until recently, when I was touched by an Angel in form of YOU who gratified my everlasting desire of experiencing this unconditional love and endless attention.

It was exactly a year back around this special Women’s Day that I decided to re-join Animal Angels Team and volunteer to work for one of your amazing project with a children's remand home. My eagerness to join your team was mainly in form of seeking a temporary escape route from the never-ending…nerve-cracking problems of my life. Especially from the recent added cherry on the “cake of problems”... of being diagnosed with PCOS (for those who don’t know what it is PCOS is  'polycystic ovarian syndrome') – and just as the name sounds odd and related to girly stuff…its symptoms and effects are weird enough to make a women NOT feel like a normal WOMEN herself. So while I dealt with the multiple emergency alarms of “lose weight…work out…do yoga …control your diet… take hormone tablets…I was extremely demotivated, confused and lost in the whirlpool of thoughts of what should I do and not do...would these extreme mood swings go away.

 It was 10^th March 2012, when I met you first…fully excited and eager to experience the feeling that I had heard from many of my friends and colleagues. As our work at the kids rehab center grew steadily, I got more focused on learning the therapy work and in capturing its effects on the kids that were involved. Little, did I ever focus on- how your presence was also making me feel much calmer. I only started thinking this around the 6^th therapy session with the kids, which got cancelled because of you falling ill. It was around the afternoon that day; I was sitting at home and watching TV and feeling like something was missing…or someone that I had not spoken to during the day that I usually did. It was only then I realized that, every Saturday, at this hour, I used to be with you at the rehab center waiting for kids to assemble for their play session…and while doing so I used to talk to you about different things of my life …while you silently listened and kept giving me those soothing licks and comforting eyes and all of your undivided attention. It was at this moment that I realized that YOU were having an impact on me as well and that I had found a new friend… in YOU… who gave me the unsolicited essence of friendship, trust and unbridled joy….a shoulder that did not judge me or questioned me or said “I Am BUSY …talk to you later”. Yes… we had created an emotional bond of love and a new relationship between us and you had become the new support system of my life. 

I then started thinking more about this bond and recognized that it was not just that I found a new friend in you… I also felt much more NORMAL and happier even when those nerve-cracking problems had not moved an inch away. By just petting you, I had managed to decrease my blood pressure and relieve my anxiety and I was now feeling much calmer and patient and was being able to divert my thoughts away from myself and my worries of life. It was threw learning to groom you during the therapy sessions that I was now focusing more on my own physical appearance which is extremely important for every women, especially the ones with PCOS. The bigger magic that I felt was when I realized that I had actually managed to lose some of the PCOS gifted stubborn weight... while walking and playing with you, which I was not able to do due to lack of motivation to improve my diet and exercise regime. 

Though our interaction was limited and only for those few days.…I felt those days was like the best dates of my life because I got the biggest gift from you in form of comforting answer to  the scary question that I recently had to face through PCOS Diagnosis. It was you who gave me this relief that, while I may not be able to have a complete family in future…You will always be there who I can look up to, to complete my family and make me feel a complete woman. Thank you for coming in my life and for improving my health and for providing me the everlasting motivation to love and appreciate myself and to see things in a different light. Thank you for teaching me that when you’re happy, one should dance and wag your entire body. And a big thank you showing me an alternate to those crazy workouts… in form of getting me into the habit of taking long walks which has not only helped me to improve my health but has also helped me to connect with my inner self.

Bansari 

Whoever said diamonds are girls’ best friend… I disagree to them today…because the real diamond of my life is “SHE” - Goldie…And because, I cannot have you around me all the time… I have bought this cute puppy soft toy…which reminds me of you and the wonderful magic you brought in my life… all the time!

Inputs from Bansari Pandya

To know more about me and my team of therapy dogs, log on to our website www.animalangels.org.in or visit our facebook page www.facebook.com/AnimalAngelsFoundation

Its a four !!!

I heard Minal reading a few lines out of a book she had found interesting - " The Human Half of Dog Training" by Rise Van Fleet. " Dogs live with people. Dogs depend on people. Like it or not, for the overwhelming majority of dogs, this is the reality. Some people train their dogs to live comfortably in the human world; others simply expect dogs to figure out on their own." She told me how people sometime go wrong in establishing good communication with their pets, even if their intentions are good. She told me how lucky I was to have such a loving and understanding family. An ideal pet-owner relation is the one where there is good communication - both ways. I may just whine or bark, wag my tail or lower my eye and my human mom or my best friend Minal understands me. I do the same for them. I have met people who wonder, who are surprised at the level of understanding between us. But when you know how to communicate, it does not matter if there is one dog of four dogs in the family.

Minal told me of one such family in Pune, our own extended family of Animal Angels team which boasts of two senior therapy dogs and two in the making. It is one of those families with more dogs than human!! I am talking about the Chaterjee Family from Pune who have three Golden Retrievers and one Labrador. Here is what the head dog  Kiara had to say about her family when i asked her about how they all get along together. She talks about the joys of motherhood and how being a good pet and a good therapy dog are possible along with having fun!

One Golden Retriever is a lot of fun. Two a bonus indeed. Not for the Chatterjee family though. They have three Golden Retrievers (Kiara the mom, Houdini aka Lea the daughter and Thele aka Skipper the son) and one Labrador (retired therapy dog Krunk), all of whom are therapy dogs! Straining at their leashes, (for various reasons), this trio takes Sudhindra Nath Chatterjee for a long walk every morning. “Houdini is looking forward to catching other dogs unawares, Thele is interested in people and I am simply waiting for the walk to end,” sighs their mother Kiara as she flops down next to Krunk the Labrador, a retired therapy dog.

Back from playing ball, Kiara watches them let their hair down and says quite proudly that most of her babies-now over a year old- and scattered across the state are on their way to becoming therapy dogs. “Houdini and Thele are lucky since they have uncle Krunk and me to learn from. Pepe, who has taken over from Goldie is my pup too. Houdini has joined the Animal Angels clan and Thele is set to follow suit,” she wags.
Hoping to inspire others, Kiara, a veteran therapy dog herself tells us what it takes to be super mom, therapy canine and perfect pet.

From right, Kiara, Thele, Pepe Minal and Houdini 

Four of you must run riot at home: The kids by and large leave Krunk alone, choosing me to spar with instead coz they know he is old. At times, we get scolded sweetly by Rakhi, especially when Houdini and Thele dig up the lawn and eat up the plants, but it’s too much fun to resist. We all like our early morning walks and then the time we play ball. The rest of the morning is to sleep and to recoup. Lunch in the afternoon is another highpoint of the day. Krunk insists on eating first and often needs to be hand fed. Thele and Houdini always eat together from one bowl – a childhood habit I guess. I am the proverbial vacuum cleaner, I eat last and clean out all leftovers. 

What does Krunk think of all the mischief around him? The word that springs to my mind when I see Krunk’s interaction with them is “avuncular”. He watches them joust with each other, with a tolerant “kids will be kids” look on his face. They, on the other hand, make time for him, nuzzling up to him, licking his face, etc. So many mornings, I have gotten up to find Thele cuddled up next to Krunk. There is some male bonding happening there! To your question of favourite, I do think he favours Houdini though it is Thele who spends more time with Krunk. 

The Gang!

How are Houdini and Thele as kids and now as working dogs: Despite Houdini’s rambunctious nature, she seems to have taken to her role as a therapy dog very well. The videos show that she has been happy to interact with the autistic child undergoing therapy with her. Overall, she acts far more mature there than she does at home. Thele on the other hand, has not yet jumped into the hurly-burly of therapy dog life and generally spends most of his time looking and acting extremely chilled out at home!
I am like a big lady at home and outside as well. Being generally happy and mature works well for becoming a good therapy dog as Minal tells me. I have been talking to Houdini – when I can get her to lie beside me- and to Thele about this. They have my name and Krunk’s to live upto!

Houdini at work with Minal at the Animal Angels Therapy Center

What is the scene like, When you have visitors : The larger question is how the guests will react to us - four large dogs is a bit overwhelming especially when we have a very in-your-face attitude (literally!) Whenever anyone visits, Houdini is the lead dog, barking her head off. Standing with her front paws on the main door grill, she puts anybody who doesn’t know her off. Thele takes after me and generally doesn’t bark. Krunk, is hard of hearing and when he realizes Houdini is barking, he generally barks his head off without a clue why he is! We are locked up in a bedroom if the guests are scared of dogs, though loveable we are. Sometimes we bark our heads off in protest, but Rakhi comes and tails between our legs, we have to listen. 

Seeing us all together it is difficult to picture us as docile therapy dogs!
What do all of you dislike the most? It would be bath times for Thele and Houdini who turn up their noses and would like to roll in the mud instead. Krunk and I enjoy bath time. All of us dislike being segregated or incarcerated in a room. The humans think we dislike being separated from them, which is true. A day or two is ok but more than that has us worrying. Not a day goes by when we do not discuss something about them when they go on vacation. 

What are you scared of? For Thele and Houdini, anything unknown is scary. To some extent they take after me. I am petrified of crackers and cower under the table with teeth chattering like castanets all the while. But now with Minal working with us, she has taught us to deal with new sights, sounds and touch. And that has made us more calm and apt to handle strange sounds and touch.

What qualities make you all a cut above the rest and great therapy dogs? It has to be our temperament, our loving and gregarious nature, energy levels and our enjoyment of interacting with everybody.

Therapy dog Kiara with her owner Rakhi Chaterjee at a special  program for pediatric Cancer Patients at Ruby Hall Cancer Center, Pune.

Did you want the pups to be therapy dogs as well? Well, yes. I know they can bring joy or sunshine in people’s lives. With me and Scott as parents, its in there genes. 

Do you feel the pressure at work? We do sometimes. But mostly, since we can gauge the changes in reactions and actions of the child or the adult we interact with, we know what is likely to happen next. Besides, genetically we are meant for therapy and so quite look forward to our sessions! To see humans recovering automatically puts a woof on our lips and a spring in our steps.
Whats your advice to pups who are thinking about therapy as a career? Jump right into it. Seeing the humans happy is the most satisfying thing for us dogs. Just encourage them every step of the way.
See you at work!



Blog inputs: Uma Karve and, Sudindra Nath and Rakhi Chaterjee, Minal Kavishwar

To know more about me and my work, log on to www.animalangels.org.in

Spark the Rise - Vote for Animal Angels

Spark the rise

Animal Angels Foundation is participating in the “Spark The Rise” competition, which offers substantial financial aid to projects that win the monthly voting contest. We request you to cast your vote for our project. This will go a great distance in helping us spread joy happiness and comfort with the help of our four footed therapists.

Animal Angels Foundation is a registered non-profit organization, India 's only one working to promote the benefits of Human Animal Interaction. Animals are since a long time known for their unconditional companionship and healing qualities. Our team of pet owners, volunteers, therapists and trained therapy dogs reach out to those in distress and provide them comfort.

Since the past nine years the Animal Angels teams have been spreading joy and laughter to more than 10, 000 individuals, over 50 special schools, hospitals, institutes. 

To vote:

1. You can log on to www.sparktherise.com and vote for "Animal Angels Foundation - Animals for Human Wellness" under the social entrepreneurship category
2. SMS your vote - Key in - MHRISEP07200    SMS to 54646 

3. Via Missed Call - Call +912261850368 with your mobile number* to vote. A confirmation SMS will be sent to you after your call.

Cast a vote, spread the word, be an Angel!!

To know more about us log on www.animalangels.org.in

Mom I want to be a therapy dog when I grow up! - Pepe interviewing her idol Goldie

As the first face and mascot of Animal Angels I will be passing the baton on to Pepe, one of gorgeous young and promising therapy dogs in training. A one year old golden retriever, she is born to therapy dogs blond mom Kiara and dad Scotty. As Pepe starts to walk in my shoes, she has so many questions running through her head. She shoots some off to me and I try and answer them patiently. Excerpts:

You are my hero Goldie. How long have you been a therapy dog?

It will be seven years in March 2013! I began training with Minal when I was two month old. It seems like such a long time ago, but I remember it like yesterday when she first took me to the special child and taught me how to work with him.

Me and little Pepe

What is the training process like? How long does it go on?

Depending on how quick you are to learn, the training takes approximately a year if you start as a pup. As a puppy you have to learn to enjoy being with new people, in new places, being petting by strangers, playing gently without hurting people etc. You also learn about obedience and communication. It’s not as tough as it sounds. It only means you should learn to talk and understand your handler. Coz many times when you are actually working with a patient, you don’t have time for the commands and signals. It just takes a look for me to understand what my handlers –Aakash or Minal- want and for them to understand what I want. It is this communication and understanding that is key to being a successful therapy dog.  

After that you start your training on field. You learn about children who are different in the way they talk, walk, look and understand and you learn to be compassionate with all. You meet people who are sad or sick and you learn to cheer them up. You may not get all of it at first but you should learn to rely on your senses to help.

Any particular incident from your work that has stuck with you?

I remember when I was still in training, I had accompanied my hero, therapy dog Kutty, to a programme where we met people who had survived or lost their loved ones in a train blast. The scenario was very new for me. Till then I had mostly worked with children. Kutty went into the room first, calm, confident, greeting everyone with a tail wag, letting everyone pet her at their own pace.  When I entered, the room it felt so emotionally charged up, it seemed like people had been crying. I was nervous, didn’t know how to react. Plus I had never been with so many people. But I followed Kutty’s and Minal’s lead. I learned that even though the people were sad and grieving, they were very happy to see us. Our wagging tails gave them a reason to smile. I learned to relax, to understand that our touch and our wags were helping heal their sorrow. That really made me grow.....as a therapy dog.

Do you think I can become a very good therapy dog? What qualities do I have that suit it?

I can tell, you are already on the path, that’s why Minal and Aakash have already started taking you for visits. You are gentle, obedient and patient. You are learning to observe the humans around you and to respond to their emotions. Most of the times, humans don’t even realize what emotion they are going through. It is our role to make them realize it and help them through it. All these qualities are a must because as therapy dogs, we work with children and adults who are ill or hurt or sad. Just being there quietly, letting them pet us or read to us and wagging our tails makes a world of difference to these humans.

Pepe in training

Don’t you feel like running with the children? Barking in delight and jumping when the child reacts as you want him/her to?

When you see people in trouble, doesn’t your heart just melt? Mine does. I know I have to wait and be patient when a child takes forever to try and pick up a ball or trying to show me something. I recognize the trouble some kids have in reading which I don’t criticize. I also know when adults and children have been hurt and I know it is my job to pep them all up, to build confidence, to show love and to make them care about themselves.  So yes, I do feel like whooping in joy when the treat comes to me from the scared little hesitant hands and I do so want to encourage and lick some children who have shown remarkable progress but I know it can scare them and that would be a disaster. So I let them take the lead and follow them happily.  That’s what training teaches you.

We do feel like jumping and barking sometimes. It’s not what many people think that therapy dogs can’t have fun, that they are not allowed to jump, bark, beg and misbehave. We can be spoilt and pampered pets who roll in the mud or jump in excitement when we see our loved ones. It’s just that we know the difference in being rough with our owners and being gentle with the patients. We are professionals and can switch our roles from being a pet to being a thera-pet.

Is working with children different from working with adults?

Not very much except that adults listen lesser than children. Often, adults take longer to unwind as compared to children. The good bit here is that neither can pretend to be somebody or something else with us. If they are sad they let it show as they d when they are happy. Our job is always to pep them up. 

What is your secret to success?

Like I said, it is all about getting into the mood.  At home or at work, it is very important to put everything that’s in your head aside and to just stay calm.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I love to meet children and to see the smiles on their faces when I just wag my tail. I love to see them squeal in excitement when I catch a ball in mid air. And these are children who may not get a chance to smile or play like other normal children. I feel that my presence makes their life better.

It’s tough to say what I enjoy most....but it would be the fact that like everybody at home has a job, I have many: I guard my home and love the people there as well as take care of so many others across Mumbai! 

What do you do to relax?

I like a good massage and brushing from my mom, Meenu Srivastav. I also like to sleep in my balcony among the plants, watching pigeons. 

Does exercise and eating a healthy diet help?

You must eat healthy and exercise regularly for your mind and body. I have a healthy amount of protein in my diet along with fruits and vegetables. I love to eat coconut and pomegranate, carrots, cucumber and apples along with a good meal made by Meenu Srivastava. I go for walks in the morning with my mom or dad. Walking and running together with your owner is the best exercise. It helps both to remain fit. We also go on the hill for a small trek sometimes.

Can I also recruit? What qualities should I look for in my friends so that I know they are capable of joining Animal Angels?

Of course you can and in fact Pepe you must. We need more angels to spread the cheer!

We need dogs who are:

• Confident
• Friendly
• Obedient
• Not scared of strangers or new places
• Non-aggressive
• And most importantly CUTE! (naa, just kidding)

You can be of any breed, any size and any age (above one year) as long as you are confidant, compassionate and obedient.

What message would you give out to budding therapy dogs like me?

Keep spreading the love, one wag at a time.

Written by Uma Karve (with inputs from Minal Kavishwar, Meena Srivastav and Aakash Lonkar)To know more about animal assisted therapy log on to www.animalangels.org.in

Join us at Animal Angels Foundation

Me and my human Tanya Srivastav


I joined the Animal Angels gang about 8 years ago. I was a pup back then and didn't understand much. But this is the single most important thing that has not only changed my life but has also defined my life. My human family loves me, but they also know that this love can help someone else heal. Together we spread the love through wags and licks. It doesn't matter if you are a dog, a cat, a bird, a horse, or a fish, we all have the same quality of understanding human emotions (a bit more than humans themselves).

So join us in our mission to spread the love and healing power of us pets with those in need.

The Gentle Giant

Hello All,

This year in June, Animal Angels will be completing 9 years of providing love and comfort to people in need through us animals. I am proud to be a part of this team, and honored to be a four footed therapist. Our team has many more of these four footed therapists like me. I would like you to meet them. So now on I will also be posting 'barks' (human equivalent to blog) by my fellow therapy dogs about their experiences. This 'bark' is by Therapy dog Rex, a handsome Golden Retriever from our team in Pune. Now seven years old, he started working as a therapy dog when he was two and half. He is simply awesome and has touched the lives of many special children giving them a reason to smile.

"I remember the day about four years ago that Minal came home and watched me play, walk and listen to my family. She visited a couple of times and finally said I was the one! Ok, I figured I had cracked some test. But what? My canine senses were on high alert.

They took me to her class. Nice place I thought – lots of green and so many children! From the Golden Retriever family, I am naturally inclined to be able to understand and appreciate special needs. So I realized when I saw the children that I was there for a reason. I was there to make them feel better.

Not a doctor or a psychologist, I had to just let them be themselves around me. Leave them to do everything they want to do to me. Often I feel like saying ouch, don’t pull my hair and your head on my stomach is kinda heavy. But I don’t because this is where they gain in confidence. Most kids look at me and just keep looking with wonder. Methinks it is because I am so big and still so gentle.

As a therapy dog, I was taught not to jump and run through special children. Differently abled, some can’t walk properly, some can’t talk properly, autistic children, spastic children, I can work with all. Patience which I refuse to exhibit at home comes naturally to me here. So if I have to wait for the child to let the treat out of his hands I wait quietly, not barking not jumping and taking it out of his hands. When somebody wants to hold my leash and take me for a walk, I walk at their pace, if I have to lie down on the grass with others, I like that too. My work profile is impressive. I have been working at a center called Bal Kalyan Sanstha in Pune since 2007, which is a recreation center for the disabled. Its where children get to focus on things other than their disabilities. I have also worked at Orchid school, where normal and special children are taught together. Another center I used to visit was Sindhu vidhya Bhavan where I learned to work with children on crutches and wheelchairs. I really helped me grow and understand people more.

I remember an autistic child that i worked with. On the first day that he came, he was jumping all over, running from wall to wall, making wired sounds and not paying attention to anyone. Over a period of time I had understood that these children find it difficult to relate to anything, but find it easy to connect with us dogs. So I gave him time. He would hesitate to come near me, but would look at me from the corner of his eye. Slowly he started taking interest in me, would come and touch me, give me an occasional treat. But he was still not able to focus and would run around a lot. I noticed that if he was not paying attention to the therapist and I went and nudged him or if he just touched my fur, he would get back his focus and be much more attentive. After many months of working with him, he slowly started calling me out, trying to make friends with me, learning to write on my fur, sleeping on me relaxed him. At time he would just hug me and sit. This was the only time that we would be focused and calm. I guess my presence gave him the freedom to do what he wanted. As we both could not talk, we bonded on a different level altogether.

All this is not quite my boisterous routine.

If you see me at home, you will see a mischievous, rowdy seven and a half year old brat who hates following instructions of any kind. Tell me its time to go to school and I leave that bit of me aside. Instinctively I am all calm and gentle. You know the best part is that it is not so much like work. They give me treats, they pet me and at every single visit they give me lots and lots of love. What more could I ask for?

Over time, I have been enjoying my time at class so much that I never want to stop. I hope to initiate that naughty Cloey into it! Maybe I will take her along to class and let her see what my work is all about. She is interested I know with the hundred questions she barks at me when I come back home.

Here's a pic of me and my human bro Rishi Iyengar. My human family has made me what I am today and I thank them for understanding this potential in me and making me a therapy dog. It truly fulfills the purpose of my life"

-Therapy dog Rex

(Contributed by Uma Karve. e- umakarve@gmail.com)

To know more about me and my other co-therapists, do visit our website www.animalangels.org.in. Also visit our facbook page www.facebook.com/animalangelsfoundation

“Speaking of Humans” Leash Walking - From the Dog’s Point of View

This is just something from another site, but it is soooo true. Walking with our humans is supposed to be the most enjoyable experience for us dogs. It means more than 'just walking' or ' going out for a pee' for us. When we as pups learn to walk with our humans, we develop a strong bond (depending on how they walk with us). A confidant owner who does not pull the dog, trusts the dog, lets him sniff the place, lets him meet and play with other dogs; will never have a problem walking their dogs. I am one of the fortunate dogs who get to walk without a leash. Read this little piece on what we dogs really go through when our people do not understand our need while walking.

“Speaking of Humans”

Leash Walking - From the Dog’s Point of View

We called a few dogs together to discuss how they felt about walking on a leash with their humans. We got some interesting feedback from the other end of the leash.

“My dad is always upset with me on our walks. He keeps pulling on my leash while he’s yelling at me not to pull. And I’m like ‘hey dude...why don’t you practice what you preach?‘“

“She’s in a rush and drags me around the park every morning before work. I wish she would slow down and let me check my pee-mail once in a while.”

“I can’t seem to get it right. First they choke me, then they pinch me, and now they shock me. Do they think I know something? Honest, I don’t know anything. I wish I knew how to make them stop.” Puh-leeez somebody make them stop!”

“This is my pet peeve (ha-ha, no pun intended). She takes me for my walk while she’s on her cellphone!! She doesn’t even notice what I’m doing. I’m taking a pee, right? And she just keeps on walking and talking and meanwhile I’m hopping on one leg peeing all over the sidewalk...”

"The worst is when I see another dog and we both want to say hi. Our humans start pulling our leashes so tight we can’t even say a proper hello. And then we’re both so frustrated that one of us starts barking and lunging, and... ok I’ll be honest, it’s usually me.”

“Man that sucks. But guess what? I get to go out on a retractible leash. I can bark at all the other dogs and run up and scare people walking by. It’s a blast! I can get as far away as 20’ if I want to. And believe me I want to!”

People...are you listening?


To know more about therapy dogs of Animal Angels Foundation and our work, visit our site www.animalangels.org.in

Therapy dogs of Mumbai

Many dogs like me are trained to pick up the newspaper from the front door in the morning. But how many dogs get to see their photo in the paper? I am one of the lucky ones who is featured in a leading newspaper ' Mumbai Mirror'. But its not just me, my other team mate, my fellow therapy dogs who are providing comfort to those in need, all through Mumbai are also featured in this article. We are Animal Angels Foundation - Therapy dogs team, Mumbai.

To read our article click here

I heard my mom (my human mom - Mrs. Srivastava) saying that she was proud of me and that she has kept the cuttings of all the articles that I have been featured in till now. I don't really see the point of newspapers, as we dogs just bark and or wag tails to spread the news and lick or sniff to get the latest news. My fellow therapy dogs - Coco, - a handsome Lab, Oscar - a gorgeous Golden Retriever, and Aekon - a dashing chololate Lab are also featured in the article.

Coco is one of our new team mates who has already worked with kids who find it difficult to read or adjust emotionally. He may seem to be a big dog, but he is extremely gentle. Like the paper says, he's also very intuitive about even the slightest emotional changes. Be it his owners or the kids with whom he works. If he sees you feeling low, he will snuggle by you can stick with you till you feel better. He has also volunteered as a reading buddy at some of our 'Tails of Joy' p. He surely is a promising therapy dog.

Aekon is now a senior therapy dog. He has been visiting the hearing impaierd children since the past three years. He can connect with the kids on a level where humans can't. Being dogs, we don't need language, words, phrases to communicate. We can understand a child who cannot hear or talks in broken words. He may be laughed at by other kids, but Aekon will always wag his tail for him. The emotional support and the environment of acceptance that Aekon provides this kids help them open up and enjoy their life. Aekon has also visited children with Cerebral Palsy. A great fan of fetch, Aekon never gets tired of running after and picking up the ball, even if the child is not able to hold the ball or throw the ball properly. Playing with Aekon encourages the children to use their hands and legs to their maximum ability.

I have heard of many owners who complain about how their dogs go crazy at the sight of a book or paper and tear it up. But have you heard of a dog who sits quietly in front of a book and who helps kids read?! Oscar the gorgeous Golden Retriever is our ' Reading Buddy' who visits book stores and schools and helps children with reading/learning problems. The best thing about reading out to Oscar is that he does not laugh at the kids when they make mistakes. The kids love to lie down on his belly and read. Some times Oscar puts a paw on a page to keep it from flipping over. He helps children read diffucult spellings or understand the meaning of a sentence.

If you are a dog, healthy and clean, if you love to be with people, love being petted, if you can understand people in need, if you never get tired of playing and if you have the ability to bring a smile on the face of every person who meets you, then contact me. We need dogs like you to spread love. You get to be with your family plus you get to make people in need happy.

If you want to get involved in our work, read more about us at www.animalangels.org.in. Also follow us on www.facebook.com/AnimalAngelsFoundation

My Journey

Many say a pet dog's life is easy. You get everything ready in your bowl, you don't have to hunt or search for food. You make cute faces and you get extra treats when humans are eating. You get to sleep on the sofa rather than on the floor or you doggie bed. You get pampered and cuddled and liked by all. A therapy dog's life is a bit different than that. We do get all this coz we are living with families who have raised us like their own children. The only difference probably is that we are a bit more responsible. We understand what humans want from us, even those who cannot say it.

Though I am a happy and secure therapy dog today, my journey has not been simple from my mother to my current family. I had to go through a lot, like gold has to go through fire to shine. As a puppy I was taken and trained to be a therapy dog for a small child who could not talk and express himself. It was planned that I had to stay with his family as a companion for him. It was all good till then because that's what dogs do, be great companions for children. I was born as Ronnie but was renamed as Spongy by this faily as I was all furry and soft like a Spongy. The kid adored me and to say me name was abig effort for a boy who otherwise did not speak. But he did it - for me. I bonded with the child, he bonded with me, he also started showing great improvement in his behavior after I came. But it was very difficult for his mother to take care for a special child and a dog. Unfortunately, they had to shift to another place where they could not take me. I was still a year old puppy. I didn't understand much, but felt very restless. The days before they were going to move, I felt ignored. I felt the change in every one's emotions. I started sitting under the chair with by head buried in my paws to get away from the emotions I could not understand.

Minal was worried about me, I could not go back and stay with her. Oh how I wished I could stay with her again. But she found another home for me. I was given to a lady who was a retired business women, lonely and middle aged, looking for a companion. She also had some health problems like blood pressure or something. I was given to her so that she would have my company and that she would get up early to take me for my walks and so her health would inprove. She had a big house. The first few days were very enjoyable for me. Very different from my earlier family. Here I was alone with the lady. This lady was strict. I was still a puppy, a very frisky puppy. I would get in trouble many times. But what would I do. She would leave me alone in the house and go out for the entire day. I would get bored and find things to play with. How would I know that ' Ray Ban' sunglasses are not a chew toy to be chewed off!!! :D She would shout at me for the mess that I would make. It was so scary when she would shout at me, I would crouch and sit in a corner. The morning walks did make her healthy. I kept her company when she cried at night thinking of her loved ones or when she was sitting alone looking out of the window. But she was moving on with her life. It was I who had started feling lonely. I had no one to play with. I was not taken out that frequently. and I was not allowed to chew stuff!

But then I met these kids who stayed right next door. It happened so that my owner had to go out for a few days and there was no one to take care of me. So she asked this family next door to take me for a few days. They had two kids and i instantly bonded with them. They adored me and pampered me when I was with them. We had a blast playing ball and other funny toys they made for me at home. I fet like a happy puppy again after a long time. I loved to cuddly up with them and sleep. Back at the lady's house, I was strictly kept off the bed and had to sleep alone. My days with these kisd were the happiest. Then this lady had to go out frequently and I was often left with these kids to play. Things were fine until one day the lady suddenly decides to give to to a completely different family. The neighbours with whom i used to stay were very keen on taking me as their pet. But this lady did not even ask them. And I was sent away to a completely new home, new people, new place. And they had a dog too! Thank goodness for that. Her name was Pheobe. She helped me adjust to that home and to the people. They were good people but missed the kids, my neighbours.

But as fate would have it, this family also had to move and could no longer take care of me. That is when they contacted Minal as they didnot want me to go back to the lady. Minal called up my neighbours and asked them if they would like to take me. They were thrilled to hear that but the only problem was that the lady stayed right next door. She would notice if I came back with out her knowledge. The day my neighbour came to pick me up, I ran into her arms and jumped all over with the kids. I was happy again.

I came home with them and its been 4 years now that I am living with them. They are my family, the Srivastava family. They loved me and made me feel secure. All these changes had made me feel abondoned, had made me insecure. I would intially crouch when someone tried to pet me on my head. But slowly with the love from this family I regained my confidance. I played with the children, cuddled with them, went for long walk with my new 'mother'. I did many naughty things like eating up a scotch brite, chewing up Saket's branded foot ball, digging upp the plants, but never got scolded or beaten up for that. They corrected me in a way I could understantd that these things were not to be messed with. My life was stable again.


Minal was happier that ever to see me in a good home, with loving people and secure emotionally. Every time she used to visit us, I would be ready to go with her thinking I would be staying with her now. After all she was my first 'mom' I love her a lot. Now I had also started going to special schools with Minal and her team and continued with the work that I was originally trained for - to be a therapy dog. I had now matured, I had all this experience of being with different people, sensing a range of different emotions. I myself had gone through a phase where I felt ignored and unwanted and 'different' from other dogs. So I could understand these kids better. I could sense the pain of the families who had lost their loved ones in a train blast. I Felt really good when I would see smiles on their faces and when they would hug me I would feel my purpose in life was fulfilled.

To know more about our work log on to www.animalangels.org.in

Early days - My training as a therapy dog

My training as a therapy dog started at a very early age. Minal took me home when I was 3 months old and I was staying with her for my training as a ‘therapy dog’. When pups of my age are busy tearing paper, pooping in the house, chasing their tail, chewing on shoes, I was learning human emotions. I was learning to ‘communicate’ with Minal with the help of certain hand signals. She taught me how to greet new people, not by jumping but by going near them and waiting for them to pet me. I learned that children were eager to play with me but if I ran towards them out of excitement, they would get scared. I learned to be gentle around children. They would sometimes pull my tail or lift me ears or try to hold up my paw to ‘shake hands ‘. Minal taught me that this was not something that I should be scared of. The most difficult thing was to learn to wait till a teat was given to me by a child or till a child threw a ball at me. Children would just hold the treat above my head and dangle it. I would be so tempted to jump up and snatch it. But Minal would always remind me not to jump or else the children would get hurt or scared. My favorite toy was ball and children would try my patience while playing with it. They would not throw it soon enough, they would just hold it and pretend they were throwing. I would sometimes get frustrated and bark. Minal would again remind me that the children were only playing and that a bark would stop the play and drive the children away. It took me a while to learn that, but I enjoyed playing with these naughty children.

Training was fun. I used to get a lot of treats when I would get it right. Minal was very patient with me. She never got frustrated, even when I would get in a playful mood while training sessions and start biting her hand or jumping on her. She loved me like her own child. She brought me up in a way where I believed and learned that I was responsible, I could understand and communicate with humans, especially children who were not ‘normal’.

Of course, it all helped me later on when I worked with children who were ‘not normal’. They would take a long while to pick up the ball and throw it, they would sometimes just show me the treat and not give it, they would grab my tail or try and hug me tightly. At these time, the patience and understanding that I was taught paid off. I could actually understand the child and communicate with him.

The first time I worked as a therapy dog was for a child who would talk and chatter a lot, though none of it made any sense. He would not sit in one place for more than a minute while playing with me. He would not look at his mother or Minal or others like other ‘normal’ children did. His mother had told Minal that he was ‘hyperactive’. All I understood that this child needed to calm down a lot. His mother told that none of the friends of his age play with him because of his ‘weird’ behavior. He was very smart and intelligent but could not focus on what he was doing for along time. He would start shouting or speaking loudly all of a sudden and that would initially disturb me a bit. But Minal was always there to guide me on what to do. She started with a simple activity of making the child sit near me, took his hands and made him pet me in long strokes. To me it felt good. I had by now learned to sit quietly when a child was made to sit near me. He would do it a few times and then get up again. Or grab my fur or pick up my tail or would want to play ball all of a sudden. Minal would again make him sit near me and pet me in strokes. He did like me a lot and was ready to do anything that was related to me. But he kept losing his focus. The big change came when Minal made him lie down on my belly. I was taught to be in sleep position and stay still while a child was made to lie on me. Initially I loved this activity only because I would get hugged and pampered my Minal and her friends. But that day I understood what it really did. When the child was made to sleep on me, he relaxed instantaneously and calmed down a lot. The same child who would scream, or talk loudly or would get up every minute, stayed with me for almost 20-25 min. Later on in the session he focused on whatever Minal asked him to do with me….like talk to me, feed me, play with me. It was the first time he interacted with me with out getting distracted. At the end of the session when he hugged me to say goodbye I really felt a connection with this child.

www.animalangels.org.in

Visit our website to know more about me and my friends, and to know more about this “unique therapy”.

Ronnie

I was born on the 13th March 2004 to a beautiful dark golden-brown colored Golden Retriever named Chikoo. I was one of the nine siblings, jumping on each other, chasing each other’s tails, running towards our mom and the dear lady, Yaman with whom we all stayed. We were so many, all light golden like our Dad – Bluze.

It must have been difficult for our first human parents to remember us. So we were color coded. We all had different color satin ribbons, that’s how they remember our names. I was of course renamed several times, but my first name that Yaman gave me was Ronnie and my code was blue, light sky blue. I remember some of my siblings; they had funny names like Gotya, Bandya, Tikli, Chumki, Pari etc.

When we were two months old, people started coming home to see us, to pick a few of us as pets. I was careless of the lot and would always be doing some or the other mischief, least bothered to be ‘good’ to impress the people who came. But I remember when one of Yaman’s friend Minal came to see us. When she called us out, I perked my ears, tilted my head and looked at her. There was some connection between us. She called me ‘butterfly ears’ and said that I was very sharp and attentive. The other people who came to pick us up were looking for ‘pets’, ‘buddies’, companion for their kids etc. But Minal had come looking for a pup who could be a ‘Therapy Dog’. God know what that was!! No one had heard about it. But then she said to Yaman that I would be perfect as a therapy dog. She had selected me for a family who had a son who was not like other kids. Minal felt that I would be able to help this kid. So it was decided, a month later, I would be leaving my mom to be trained further as a ‘Therapy Dog’!!

For more on Therapy dogs, log on to our website: www.animalangels.org.in