A Therapy Milestone ~ 50 Visits With Gambler

It all started 5 years ago when Gambler and I became a pet therapy team with Therapy Dogs Incorporated which is now known as Alliance Of Therapy Dogs.

We started our journey at an elementary school in Beaver Dam, WI. We followed these kids each year as they went into a new school year. For 5 years we watched these kids grow. We had different kids, the same kids through out the years. Some would read to Gambler, some would want him to help them with their homework, some would show him their artwork, some would play cards with him, each time they would ask what I had in my bag that they could put on Gambler for dress up. They never forgot the things I brought for them, they loved to put glasses, wigs, tie’s on him. He would sit there perfect for it all and in the end he might get to give them a kiss for it but if he didn’t get to give a kiss you could be sure he got a hug from them each time.

Gambler hands out pencils, notebooks, books and other items. He passes out his bookmarks that the kids love to get. A few weeks ago he handed out Gambler bucks (a fake dollar bill with his picture in the president spot), we took off for Glory’s whelp so when we went back last week and visited the kids right away said they still had their Gambler bucks and went and got them for me. I was impressed and thought that was the sweetest thing. This weeks visit I got some St. Patrick’s items and told the kids they could use their Gambler bucks and buy the items. That was a big hit, the teacher said they were learning about economics so that was great of me to do that.

We also go to Fall River elementary school and to a R.E.A.D. program there. The kids read to Gambler. We have been doing this for the past two years. I want to give a shout out to Mr. Pawlisch for setting this up with the kids he teaches and to the Fall River School for letting us come in. Gambler really enjoys the kids.

The kids at Fall River surprised me today at our 50th visit with cards they made for us, we loved them and the kids.

Becoming a therapy dog volunteer and where to start, if you missed the blog post you can read it HERE.

50 visits with the AKC therapy dog Program will give Gambler his Therapy Dog title. Truly a honor to have and share with potential puppy buyers. We will now shoot for that 100 milestone.