The elderly woman in the wheel chair gazed into the Blue Heelers calm, brown eyes.

The dogs gentle paw rested in her lap. Her mood eased. A smile crept across her face for a quick moment. The connection between dog and man is powerful. People adopt dogs for companionship, protection and unconditional love. These canine friends can bring happiness and relieve everyday stress, according to many studies. According to the American Pet Products Association from a 2011-2012 survey there are approximately 78.2 million owned dogs in the United States. Some of these 78 million dogs serve a special purpose in life. Since World War II therapy dogs have visited hospitals, nursing homes, libraries and anywhere a smile is needed. Some believe the story of Corporal William Wynee and his Yorkshire terrier Smokey. After finding her abandoned in a New Guinea battlefield Smokey became his companion throughout his tour even during a hospital stay where she became a big hit with the fellow patients. Dr. Charles Mayo noticed the cheerful attitude among the solders. For 12 years she remained a therapy dog. Today there are 21,000 teams of dogs and handlers including three Park University graduates. Magdalena Golenia Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs are dogs who guide, signal or provide assistance to an individual with a disability. A therapy dog is trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, people with learning difficulties and stressful situations, such as disaster areas. Full time therapy dogs require extensive training. There are programs who welcome pet owners with gentle dogs to be part time or volunteer. Magdalena Golenia, 2010 Park University graduate, took her Blue Heeler, Keeba, this January to Platte Pet Power to get him tested to become a volunteer therapy dog. At work (veterinary technician) I got to talk with one of my patients owners, Golenia says. She and her dog have been doing it for years. I thought it was really honorable and that I should do something too to help my community. Keeba was tested on his friendly deposition. He needed to learn how to react in certain situations like big crowds, around small children,

other pets and loud noises. If a dog should fail these tests a retest can be taken in six months. The minimum age of a therapy dog is six months. The group organizes the trips Keeba takes. His last trip was to a nursing home. A grumpy lady did not want to cooperate, did not appreciate the pets and was just mean spirited, Golenia says. A nurse was about to push her back to her room. Keeba was trained to immediately move out of the way of wheelchairs. This time he didnt. I started calling him. He didnt move. The lady yelled at him. Keeba just sat therelooking at her. He just lifted his paw and placed it gently on her lap. She immediately shut up. Then smiled. And petted him. The lady quickly turned back into her mean self and went to her room but for one moment, Keeba made her smile. Tiffany Miller When opening the door to Tiffany Millers, a 2011 Park University graduate, house you are welcomed by many cats scurrying out for an afternoon stroll through the neighborhood. Dont volunteer at an animal shelter, Miller says. You will bring them all home with you. Miller led the way to the back door where she was greeted by Bensons dark brown eyes and wagging tail. In June 2010 Millers dad passed away from liver disease. She fell into a downward spiral of depression. Her clothes were never changed. Bills were left unpaid. In early September it was time to pick herself up. Miller began volunteering at Halfway Home pets, Kansas City, Mo. pound. September 14th she went with her son, Gabe, to adopt a dog. I knew the ones who didnt get adopted and were already high risk for euthanasia would be put down later that afternoon when the adoption event was over, Miller says. Many of them wagged their tails and wanted to be adopted, but Benson, a black lab mix, was lying helpless, too sick to move. We asked to see him so he could get out and he just lay there too sick to even get up. I knew right then I wanted to save him, so I did. Walking into the back yard Bucko, the Chihuahua, and Benson, run and play. Every once in awhile they come over to make sure Miller is still watching their attention-getting acts.

Miller was able to nurse Benson back to health even though he seemed to have given up being adopted. The pain of her fathers death began to subside every time Benson cuddled up next to her. Millers personality started to change into a gentle, kind pet parent, she says. Being a good dog mom is not unlike being a good human mom in most ways, Miller says. It is about patience, understanding and strength. Through the days and nights Bucko and Benson do not leave Millers side. They sleep with her, eat with her and even wait outside the door when she showers. Benson makes me feel really safe because he is always watching over me, Miller says. Who has time to grieve and feel sorry for themselves when there are dogs and cats out there who need animal parents? Erin Walter Imagine having a stroke as you drive your car. Erin Walter, 2011 Park graduate, had a transient ischemic attack, or a mini-stroke, during finals week in spring 2011 when part of her vision was lost and her speech became slurred. Tests discovered she had a hole in her heart. Surgery was not an option. I was obsessed with every headache, having panic attacks when I tried getting in my car, and not sleeping well, Walter says. The doctor gave me medicine for the headaches, put me on an aspirin a daily, and gave me even more medicine for the panic attacks. She and her husband decided a lap dog would be a great addition to their family which already sported a 2-year-old Boxer, two cats and their two daughters. Their hopes was a lap dog would do what the medicine couldnt: forget her fears and make her happy. After scouring newspapers, shelters and online sites Walter found a photo of a Shitzu-Yorki in the Kansas City Star. Walters met the owners in Platte City. The owner showed up with the mother dog, two remaining puppies and her own young daughter. Walters says she could feel the love of the family. I knew he was the right match for me, Walters says. Because when I held him for the first time, I couldnt put him down. He was so tiny and just curled up on my chest like a little baby! He immediately

won my heart and once I held him, I carried him all the way home on my lap, carried him in the house, and was able to take a nap with him curled up beside me. The first day I had him I was finally able to get some good sleep. Soon after, Walters stopped having panic attacks. She no longer needed medication. Teddy was able to give Walters the positive release she needed to finish up school and give her children a new positive connection. A therapy dog can have a lot of benefits, including welcoming a homeless dog into your family, but remember dogs are a lot of time, energy and money. A lot of research goes into finding the breed which is right for your individual needs. Dogs are a 10-16 year commitment.