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“We are proud to partner with local organizations and service companies such as Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, United Cerebral Palsy, Make-A-Wish of South Florida, Salon Bark, Chateau Poochie, Grateful Paws Rescue, and Compassionate Pug Rescue,” reported Canine Assisted Therapy, Executive Director, Debra Berger. C.A.T. (www.catdogs.org) headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida is a non profit 501(c)(3) organization which provides certification and placement of therapy dogs and their handlers into nursing homes, hospitals, group homes, schools and where there is a need for the companionship of a dog. C.A.T. has a Pack Reader Program to assist grade school children to improve their reading skills by reading to dogs. C.A.T. has also recently launched the Teen Corp Program in Oxford, Florida where teens work with their dogs to train and prepare them for therapy work. C.A.T.’s certification is valid and recognized throughout the United States. Canine Assisted Therapy was founded by Wayne and Debra Berger and Joanne Jurgle, all lifelong dog lovers and first-hand witnesses to the transformational power of canine therapy. Wayne, Debra and Joanne started the C.A.T. organization with the sole mission to provide a network of qualified, dependable, caring Therapy Teams committed to delivering a therapeutic benefit through the use of dogs to both children and adults who need comfort, companionship, or the unconditional love that only a dog can provide. C.A.T. is distinguishable from other pet therapy organizations because of the extensive testing of the dogs to insure proper temperament for therapy work, placement of volunteers in facilities, and overall support of volunteers. Jurgle shared the impressive biography of Chance. “Chance is a 2 year old Golden Retriever that my husband and I adopted from New Horizons Service Dogs in Orlando at the age of 7 ½ weeks. His littermates all went on to get trained to be Service Dogs but Chance did not qualify to be a service dog but would be a wonderful companion or Therapy dog. I knew from the start that I wanted to train him to become a Therapy Dog and at the young age of 11 months Chance received his Canine Good Citizenship Certification. Two weeks later he was certified a Therapy Dog and on August 10, 2009 Chance became a Certified C.A.T. Dog and we now make weekly visits to Independence Hall Living for Active Seniors in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Twice a week we go to Bennett Elementary School for our Pack Reader Program. Chance and I sit with a few 1st graders (chosen by their teachers) and they take turns reading to Chance. This gives them one on one reading time builds their confidence and the most important fact is that reading is now fun and they look forward to it. I’m not sure who enjoys his visits more the 6 year old Pack Reader kids, the 103 year old Seniors, or Chance.” Canine Assisted Therapy www.catdogs.org Joanne Jurgle, Asst. Director info@catdogs.org 954-319-3170 |
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