Kindly Canines  ~  Rookie Club

 Some St. Paul members volunteer their time and their pet dogs to work as Therapy Dog Teams with a local non-profit, Kindly Canines.  Others from our congregation are working toward service with this group.

Kindly Canines is an all-volunteer group of handlers and their dogs who have been previously tested and are registered as Therapy Dog Teams with the national organization, Therapy Dogs Inc with headquarters in Cheyenne, WY.  Requirements for handlers include TB Testing, Drug Testing for work in schools, and clearances.

Their work is varied.  PAWS WHO CARE make visits to patients and residents at hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc.  READS Teams (Reading Education Assistance Dogs for Students) is a support program for children of all ages who will benefit from unconditional acceptance and companionship when reading.  READS Teams work with children in Special Education Classrooms, Libraries and the Boys & Girls Club.  This summer they are invited to work with the Lincoln Intermediate Unit Summer Migrant Education Program.  Research documents how reading scores increase for children who work with this program.  DARE TO CARE teams are specially trained teams who provide support to the terminally ill and Hospice patients during the most delicate phase of their life.  In addition, they support the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, March of Dimes, MHMR, and other community activities.

KC’S ROOKIE CLUB was developed this spring when the group lost several canine therapists and the handlers wanted to prepare their new rescues or puppies for this work.  It provides a socialization opportunity also for those who are previously screened and genuinely intend to become a Therapy Dog Team and desire to join Kindly Canines.  This group meets at St. Paul the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday for 45 minutes.  The dogs are on leash, minimum of six months old, housebroken, licensed, and in good health as evidenced by vet records.  Handlers sign a release form at each gathering.  This has proven to be extremely beneficial to the dogs in training, as well as to the handlers who need to have experience with a variety of settings and groups.

Marti Heater, Founder and President of Kindly Canines, has expressed sincere gratitude to the St. Paul membership for their kind support to this service organization.  Anyone who wishes to have more information, or who is interested in possible membership, may contact Gene and Nancy Hoke at 263-9660, or email at hokehouse@comcast.net.

To learn more please go to kindlycanines.org