,:J 'I' ~

.(4).

Fall 2012

A New Leash On Life Inc

Changing Lives Training Dogs

The Official Newsletter of A New Leash On Life, Inc. www.newleashinc.org

Volume 4, Issue 2

THE FOUTAINSAT CANTRBUR~ ~LCOM THER~P~ D06 VISITS

Therapy Dog visits impact the lives of many people every day. A perfect example are the volunteers that visit The Fountains at Canterbury Assisted Living, Sue Bowers, KC Sheperd and Nadia Calbert. The Fountains at Canterbury IS a retirement living facility located on 122nd street near Edmond. Many options are available including independent Imagine Glenn, a resident who has lost his sight in recent years, having his face light up when Therapy Dog Corky gets in his lap and kisses him. "doing Therapy Dog visits gives Corky a new purpose especially since he cannot continue his career in agility due to his vision impairment." It also allows Glenn to receive the therapeutic benefits of receiving unconditional love. Another Therapy

Dog that has been there for Glenn is

Payslee. Payslee is a three year old Shih-Tzu considered to be a sassy diva living at the Town with her colorful Center, assisted living wardrobe. Her at The Inn, memory owner, KC Sheperd, Left to right: Nadia Calbert and Therapy Dog Corky, Laura McCoy and care at The Gardens said, "Payslee is Therapy Dog Ben, Jonnie with Therapy Dog Payslee, Kaycee Sheperd and and skilled nursing at tolerant of Glenn Therapy Dog Sawyer and Sue Bowers with Therapy Dog Fudge. The Springs. rubbing all over her Corky is an eleven year old Wheaton face because he is blind." Each of these volunteers has Terrier with lots of love to give. Therapy Dog Payslee can been going to the Assisted Living Corky and Glenn have a significant understand that Glenn cannot see facility for about two years and bond together for both have recently with his eyes, so she lets him see has recently started visiting the lost their vision. Therapy Dog her with his touch. Therapy Dog skilled nursing facility. Corky's owner, Nadia Calbert, said Sawyer, who is Payslee's

continued on page 2

;f~~ -;,
A New Leash On Life Inc
Changing Lives Training Dogs
(405) 604.0519 1.866.248.6265 Tax I.D. #300365904 CFC #47007 Corky giving love to Glenn at the Board Of Directors SaUy Noble, Springer President Scott Cravens, Oklahoma City Vice President Debra Stuart, PhD, Norman Secretary Michael Carroll, Oklahoma City Treasurer Greg Burns, Oklahoma City Director Jonathan Warren, Oklahoma City Director David Little, Ardmore Director Lana Ivy, Oklahoma City Director Barbara Lewis, CEO DVM

brother, is also a three year old Shih-Tzu. Volunteer KC says Sawyer is the sweetest love dog that knows exactly which residents need his services the most. Jonnie, a

resident at the assisted living, is a dog lover who never misses a visit. Her favorite thing to do with them is to sit on the couch and let Sawyer in her lap as she talks with the volunteers, often about previous pets of hers. When volunteer Sue Bowers and Therapy Dog Fudge get to 122nd street, Sue says Fudge knows where he is and gets excited because he knows he is about to visit his friends at The Fountains. Fudge is a seven year old Lab and is a big hit with all the residents at The Fountains for his soft coat and shining personality. At assisted living and nursing home facilities residents build a strong relationship with the volunteers, conversing with them and reminiscing about pets. As Mary Shrum, an employee at The Fountains who has overseen the visits said "Therapy Dog visits are a beautiful thing and most of our residents' faces light up when they see the dogs
I

Greg Emmert, Veterinarian Leigha McCarty,

McGee Street Animal Hospital Editor

A New Leash on Life, Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax exempt charitable organization that changes people's lives by utilizing the special abilities of Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs.

Donate By Mail: 7949 S 1-35 Service Road Oklahoma City, OK 73149 Donate On-line: www.newleashinc.org Contact Us: info@newleashinc.org

Jonnie enjoying her favorite things to do, lap time, with Sawyer.

coming." 2
continued on page 4

Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Foun~ation G~fTournament Fundraiser

New Leash was honored when Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Foundation chose to sponsor the training for one of our future Service Dogs! OMVF is a foundation dedicated to veterinarians and animal welfare. Since all of our Service Dogs are named after famous Oklahomans, OVMF selected the name Roger after Dr. Roger Panciera, a world renowned veterinary pathologist and longtime professor at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Health Sciences. Roger was donated by North Forty Kennel and selected for his personality and physical traits which are perfect for assisting a person with disabilities. OVMF chose to raise money for his training through a golf tournament held at Belmar Golf Club August 13,2012. Needless to say, this day was a success! The weather was sunny and warm and the golf was great! Kelli Dodson and Service Dog in Training, Griffm were in attendance to answer any questions about Service Dogs. Barbara Lewis, CEO of A New Leash on Life, Inc., and Michelle Traw, Therapy Dog Training Director, helped with the putting contest. Service Dog in Training Roger with our Puppy Coordinator Gill Barnett and raiser John Barnett, gave everyone a chance to meet the future Service Dog that benefits from the fundraiser. We give a big THANK YOU! to Greg Emmert, D.V.M. chairman of the golf tournament, Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Foundation and Belmar Golf Club for hosting the fundraiser.

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS

Johnston & Associates Attorneys at Law Gene and Sandy Fuzzell Carol Tucker Helen E. Thompson Patrick Yandell at Holiday Creations, Inc. Enterprise Holdings Foundation Glenna and Sam Ott Kathryn Davis Nick Henson Ann Ross Chris Braun TimLorri Eaton Emily Wilkins Sherry Combs Jan Prestwood Pat White Nestle Purina PetCare Company JodyNewman Kathy Allen Vickey Moomey Combined Federal Campaign Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler, Inc. Kim Quigley Peggy Megginson Lana Ivy Virginia Ballenger Cynthia Gordon Scott Cravens Suzette Grillot Greta Watson-Pigg

A golfer makes a putt while the rest of the players and Roger happily watch. Dr. Joe Carter was the highest bidderfor the Greg Burns print. Service Dog in training Roger

It's always an exciting time when New Leash receives puppies to train as Service Dogs. It marks the start of a new, more independent life for the future owner of Our most recent certificated team is Jerry and Service Air Dog Clearance. Jerry is an IT was technition in the Air Force stationed at Tinker Force Base. It appears Clarence destined to work with Jerry. The Puppy Raiser selected the name Clarence after Major General Clarence Tinker. They make such a great team! Welcome to the New Leash family guys! each of the puppies. We would not be able to have our Service Dog program and change people's lives if it was not for all of the help from our volunteers. The first training step
ill

Service Dog is to teach the puppy how to be a well behaved This dog. means

acclimating them to public settings utilizing well potty

Decklin and Service Dog in Training, Rue

basic being trained. yet

manner skills as as

This challenging,

exciting task is accomplished by volunteers whom we call Puppy Raisers. For a year our Puppy Raisers prepare one of our Service Dogs in training to get to
Jerry and Service Dog Clarence

their final phase of training where they will learn how to work for a person with disabilities, allowing them to be more independent. Many people believe they would be unable to be a Puppy Raiser because they would not be able to give up the dog after growing attached to him or her after a year of living together. This is a common concept that prevents people, all too often, from experiencing the joy of being part of the Service Dog journey.
continued on page 5

continued from page 2 We are so happy there are volunteers like Sue, Nadia, KC and many more, that are willing to spend their time and effort contributing many of the people that benefit from to the these healing work of Therapy Dogs. We are positive therapeutic visits are too. So a BIG thank you to all of our Therapy Dog volunteers and their dogs!

Volunteers, staff and trainers all become attached to

continued from page 4

these dogs, however, the gift of giving a person more independence and joy in their life is worth the difficulty of giving up the dog at the end of that - year. The selfless act of raising a pup is a fun way to give back to the community. We have just received a
Future Service Dog, Drake

' Wi A~tU~uwm'
. ~"",.f _ . _
l " _~

f ~

'f."

" ' . .,,'

,;

i ,,;t

,.,'

~-~~<~ :
,-;

f~;?

, " , ".

'G~
~
'F

It is wonderful for our organization to be growing in a way that enables us hire new employees. The ability efficient services people exciting to be more and supply to more is extremely for us and

donation labradoodle

of pups.

seven We

the work that we do. We are proud to

~>.:..~

provide everything for the dog except food. The biggest cost is your time and you'll gain great gratification and joy in return. You could provide the start of a new life, a miracle, for a future client by getting these pups started on the right track to becoming a Service Dog. We need you to make this happen, so before you tell yourself you just can't take the heart ache, think about the person's life you're going to change. We are pretty confident that you'll then ask yourself cannot. how you
Gill Barnett, Puppy Co-ordinator
It'

announce positions

two recently

Leigha McCarty, Program Director

filled on our staff. Leigha McCarty, our part time Program Director began working in June and Gill Barnett, one of our long time volunteers, will be our full time Puppy Co-ordinator. We greatly appreciate the support from all of our volunteers and supporters. you we we are Without would today be and

Call our New a _" ,_" _ _

unable to be where services to the

Leash office today to get started on changing life.

cD

continue this path of providing community.

Future Service Dog, Dale

SPREAD THE WORD!!

Its that time again for the payroll deduction Combined - Federal Campaign for federal employees! Make sure to tell all of your friends and family to designate their donation to A New Leash On Life, Inc. Our CFC # 47007 Help us change people's lives by utilizing the special abilities of Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs. One of our future Service Dog puppies at the CFC

booth in the IRS office.

A New Leash On Life, Inc. lost our first client and best supporter. Todd Tacker was always thinking of fund raising ideas; always ready to be a spokesperson for our agency. He loved to be with people and enjoyed participating in wrapping at Barnes & Noble during the Christmas season. Todd had the pleasure of being a partner to three Service Dogs during his lifetime: Hurcules, Wiley and Vince. Each of them brought their own personality and made a great partner for Todd. Service Dog Vince will remain with Todd's family and Todd's memory will last forever with A New Leash On Life, Inc.'s staff and volunteers. He will be missed!

~~~

A New Leash On Life Inc

Changing LiveslTraining Dogs 7949 S. 135 Service Road Oklahoma City, OK 73149

'I'

Address Service Requested