Nor'wester Therapy Dogs: Canine Partners in Education

07/01/2024

Our therapy dogs often participate as co-listeners when children listen to stories being read to them.

06/28/2024

Have a great weekend everyone!

06/27/2024

Therapy dogs Toby (black) and Cadie were on hand at BCCC yesterday for a staff training session run by the Dean.
Educators appreciate therapy dogs as much as the students!

06/26/2024

Joyce McGettigan and her therapy dog Jingles are well known at Bucks County Community College. Joyce shares:

“When Jingles first became a therapy dog I was excited to bring joy and comfort to others. What I did not realize was the effect it would have on ME. To know I am doing good in the world and making others happy brings ME joy. We never know the burdens that others carry.
I’m so glad we make a difference.”

06/25/2024

Special thanks to Nor’wester therapy dogs and their handlers who visited Newtown Park and Rec camp at Newtown Elementary School today. Teams were: Connie Unangst with Harlow, Nancy Jorczak with Panther, Carol VanSant with Tex, Kathy Malloy with Cadie, Kim O’Donnell with Cadence, and Debbie Glessner with Leia.
The campers loved the dogs and shared a lot about their own pets.

06/23/2024

Nor’wester therapy dog, Journey, enjoys her maternity leave. Hopefully some of her puppies become therapy dogs too!

06/22/2024

Stay cool, friends!
Be a Cool Dog!

06/21/2024

Summer is a great time to get your dog tested and certified as a therapy dog!
Nor’wester is happy to have you join our team!
FMI: www.NorwesterTherapyDogs.org

06/20/2024

Kathy and Kevin Malloy share thoughts about doing therapy dog work with Cadie.

Kevin, Cadie, and I love being part of Nor’wester Therapy Dogs. We enjoy working with all ages, from preschool to college level. The best thing about Cadie is that she doesn’t judge a child who is struggling to read or who may have a disability. She just provides unconditional love and happiness. It is rewarding to see a child hugging and kissing Cadie, when only moments earlier they were afraid to approach her. Cadie basks in all the love and attention she receives when she does Nor’wester therapy dog visits.

06/18/2024

The dog days of summer have arrived. Our Nor’wester therapy dogs do camp and library visits but only in air conditioned venues.

06/15/2024

Happy Father’s Day weekend from the Nor’wester crew.

06/14/2024

Nor’wester volunteer, Maria Alden, shares what makes therapy dog work special to her.

“What a wonderful first year Cooper and I had volunteering in the Nor’Wester Therapy Dog Program!💕🐾
This experience was so special to me because I was able to see the benefits from the volunteer perspective, not as the teacher. I was SO fortunate to have worked with my awesome, former teaching partner, Loretta Young, and her amazing third graders. It was heart-warming to see how much the children were inspired by Cooper in so many areas. He had such a calming effect upon them during oral reading/presentations. His impact was confirmed when, on our last visit, there were some children who filled up with tears and became emotional. (Loretta and I were holding back the tears too!)
I attribute the success of our first year to the wonderful therapy dog teams, I had the pleasure of working with, in my own classroom, before I retired. As a teacher I was “spoiled” with these role model teams! Those 8 years prepared me for my new, fun role in education as a volunteer in this incredible program. Being involved in this capacity is so rewarding. My only regret is that I didn’t get involved sooner!” 🐶🐾

06/12/2024

Congratulations to the graduates, many of whom may have worked with a therapy dog in their school years.
Best wishes from the Nor’wester organization for a successful and exciting future.

06/11/2024

06/07/2024

Our class has absolutely LOVED our time with Leo and Roseann. Roseann made a tremendous effort to get to know every student in her short time with us. Leo time was the highlight of every single week for my students. Students were able to practice reading and writing with Leo, in addition to having down time to bond with him. We wouldn’t trade our Leo experience for anything else in the world! Thank you to Nor’wester Therapy Dogs for all that you do to support the bond between a therapy dog and his/her class🐾♥️
Katrina Cerra (teacher) 3rd grade

06/05/2024

Wendi Huttner with Wes, our founding therapy dog - how it all began!
We never anticipated that our Nor’wester program would have exploded into what it is today!
Kudos Wes!

06/03/2024

Our Nor’wester volunteers commit to making a difference.
You can too!
Get your dog certified and registered as a therapy dog and JOIN US!

06/02/2024

Mike and Bubba help a student with her daily PT exercises.

06/01/2024

More Nor’wester therapy dogs pose for portraits!

05/31/2024

A few Nor’wester therapy dogs pose for portraits.

05/28/2024

Get your dog off the sofa and join our organization. See our website for more information.

05/27/2024

A tribute to Memorial Day.

05/26/2024

Third grade teacher Katrina Cerra converted student poetry into bookmarks accompanied by a photo of the child with their therapy dog Leo. Leo inspired the poems and made creative writing fun!

05/25/2024

Many times we are asked how to prepare a dog for therapy dog work. We stress the importance of proper socialization - the key word is “proper.”
This is a very helpful chart.

05/23/2024

A small group of Nor’wester therapy dog handlers gathered together for lunch and conversation. Some amazing stories and experiences were shared, just confirming how powerful our dogs are in their work. There was lots of laughter when humorous experiences were shared.
We also celebrated our volunteers who reached the 5 and 10 year marks as Nor’wester members.
Our volunteers and their dogs are dedicated and make a difference!
Join us for the 2024-25 school year! You will be glad you did!

05/22/2024

Robin Petkunas and her dog Tukka are a big hit with the students in her class. Tukka takes his job very seriously and really helps his kids make academic progress.

05/21/2024

María Alden’s Cooper was busy in his end of the year learning center. The activity was answering questions about events/memories of this year…
Field trips, favorite subjects, etc
The kids were asked how they think Cooper helped them:
“He makes me feel calm and confident…when reading aloud and just in general”
Another student said she doesn’t have a pet at home, and he is like her pet, AND the same little girl said “Cooper helped me get rid of my writer’s block!” She is writing a story from the point of view of Cooper.
Teachers also love having a therapy dog in class.
Bravo Cooper! You are making a difference!

05/19/2024

Bailey, Cheeky, Cooper, and Impy closed out another successful year of Read to the Dogs at the Ambler branch of the Wissahickon Free Library yesterday, May 18. They’ll return in the fall. Stay tuned!
Thank you to our Nor’wester teams and Lynn Lenz who coordinates our library programs.

05/18/2024

Cherie Gutekunst's dog, Chief, is honored by his 4th grade class. He inspired the kids to write poetry!