Introductions
Cindy Harrington introduced today’s speakers: Dan Butler, Saratoga County Animal Shelter; Cheryl Lawyer and Napa, Guiding Eyes of the Blind; and Teri Conroy and Jane, Pet Therapy
Participants introduced themselves.
Ann Quinn made an announcement regarding the Saratoga Vital Aging Network’s Conference, “Vital Aging Our Way” to be held April 28th at Skidmore College from 9 am - 1 pm.
Today’s Topic and Panel of presenters:
Today’s Topic is Animal Support for the disabled and elderly
The panel of presenters includes:
Dan Butler, Shelter Supervisor, Saratoga County Animal Shelter
Cheryl Lawyer and Napa, Guiding Eyes for the Blind and Northeastern Association for the Blind at Albany
Teri Conroy and Jane, Pet Therapy
Dan Butler Shelter Supervisor, Saratoga County Animal Shelter
Today is the 34th anniversary of the Saratoga County Animal Shelter . It was established on April 10th, 1978. The Saratoga Animal Shelter accepts all unwanted and stray animals in Saratoga County.
In 2010, a new shelter was completed on County Farm Road in Ballston Spa.
The shelter has a website, which is updated daily and can be used to find a pet to adopt or to locate a lost pet. (www.saratogacountyny.gov)
The Animal Shelter offers Rabies clinics.
In 2006, the Shelter began offering volunteer opportunities. Volunteers work the hours of 10 am – 12 pm and 2 – 4 pm daily. They are used to walk dogs and to socialize with cats. Volunteers also provide services for outside adoption clinics.
In 2007, the Senior to Senior Program was established which is a joint venture with the Saratoga County Office for the Aging. The program places senior dogs and cats, age 5 and older with senior citizens, age 60 and older. The Office for the Aging will pay for all adoption fees and the cost to spaying or neutering these pets.
A Trust fund has been established that has recently been used to purchase an adoption van and trailer. The trust has provided for medical equipment, large exercise pens for dogs, as well as, a meet and greet area, where a person can interact with a pet before adopting.
Dan gave us a tour of the new adoption trailer. We all found it very impressive.
Cheryl Lawyer Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Napa, Seeing Eye Dog in Training
Cheryl raises Guiding Eyes puppies and also is a Senior Outreach Worker for the Northeast Association for the Blind at Albany.
Cheryl introduced her Guiding Eyes dog in training, Napa. Napa is a 16 month old yellow Lab. She has been with Cheryl since September and is leaving for guide dog training on June 3rd. A Guiding Eyes dog pre-trains for a year and a half and continues on to Guiding Eyes for the Blind Training School for another 2 years. Cheryl volunteers her services and is raising Napa at her home. She is preparing her for guide dog school by teaching Napa socialization and by attending classes and events. Napa will be tested before entering Guide Dog training school. The school looks for a dog that is able to make good decisions. After graduation, the dog is matched with an impaired person with the same type of personality. The impaired person must have independent travel skills before receiving a Guide Dog. The matched pair spend 26 days together, during this time they learn to work with each other. The pair will continue to receive ongoing support. The Guiding Eyes for the Blind Training Center is located in Yorktown Heights, New York. The school usually has 450 dogs training at any one time. They have graduated 7,000 Guiding Eyes Dogs. Dogs in this program may also be used to assist children with autism or as dogs that locate bombs. Most of the dogs are yellow or black Labs, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.Teri Conroy, Pet Therapy Volunteer
Jane, Pet Therapy Dog
Teri introduced her dog, Jane, a Portuguese Water Dog. Jane is 9 years old and is currently working as a Pet Therapy dog. Teri has been a volunteer for the program for 10 years and Jane is her third Pet Therapy dog. She lives in Altamont, NY and raises Lamas.Jane went through a testing process before she was given her position as a Therapy Dog. She regularly goes to nursing homes, hospitals, libraries and visits seniors on a weekly basis. Jane is best with children and likes to visit schools. She assists children with special needs.
A pet can be registered as a Therapy Pet by accessing the website for Therapy Pets International, tdi-dog.org. The cost to participate in the program is $35 a year. There is no charge for their services. The website can also be used to request Therapy Dog visitations.
Next Meeting will be on May 8th at St. Edward’s Church in Clifton Park. The topic will be Ethics.
Respectively Submitted,
Jane Hurst
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