Aging in place is an increasingly popular decision among the elderly in America, and indeed across the world. The ability to stay at home, in a familiar environment, surrounded by the things and people you love brings many seniors a feeling of wellbeing that can’t be matched by even the most comfortable retirement community.
If running a team of Huskies across snowy trails is your dream, Robert Forto, lead musher and dog trainer of the family-run Team Ineka in Willow, Alaska, shares that love. His daughter, Nicole, has trained for and run Team Ineka in the Junior Iditarod for the past two years. “There is something magical about being out on the trail with a dog team,” says Robert. “Many times we have been out on the trail when it is 20 below zero, and the Northern Lights are dancing over our heads. It is totally silent except for this swish, swish, swish sound as they dogs are running in total unison together.”
When Toni got Riley from Westie rescue, she had been looking for a companion dog but, with her hectic work schedule, knew she didn’t want a puppy. Riley at eleven months old proved to be even more than she had hoped for.
Frankie is a mixed breed with a lot of Jack Russell characteristics or, as Olga says when asked Frankie’s breed, “My Frankie is one of a kind.”
Lily, a Golden Retriever, came to Pat as a puppy in 2005. In less than a year, she earned her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) and became certified as a therapy dog.
At one hundred and three pounds Bella Moose is a big girl with an even bigger heart. Abandoned as a puppy by some renters who moved out and, despite promising their landlady the puppy had gone with them, left her behind in an empty apartment.
As a certified therapy dog, I visit Sterling House of New Bern every Tuesday morning throughout the year, and every December I host my annual holiday party. This year will be my eighth party. Now, it’s not polite to ask a lady her age, but let’s just say I’m a mature girl and you do the math.
Though it’s rare for Scotties to become therapy dogs, Paisley, a silver brindle Scottie, does her breed proud. At three and a half, Paisley has earned her CGC (Canine Good Citizens award) and has passed the required test to become a member of Therapy Dogs United, a regional organization for therapy dogs covering northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York. “The training was a bit tough,” said Nancy, her owner and handler. It involves getting used to wheelchairs and walkers as well as interacting calmly with strange people. She had to take the test twice to pass.”
When Marsha’s long time therapy pet partner, Jake, died, she was hit hard with the loss but also knew she didn’t want to give up on pet therapy. She put her name in with an established Scottish Terrier breeder for a puppy, but before one was available, a friend told her about a five month old Scottie on EBay Classifieds that was housebroken and trained. “Sounds perfect for you,” her friend said.
Rachel knew she wanted to be a vet from early on. Her mother supported her dream by scheduling vet appointments for times when Rachel could go, too and then, at nineteen, her dream was given a big boost when she landed a job with a vet clinic run by a father/daughter team. Both vets were mentors to Rachel, and she was able to get practical experience in caring for sick animals and even observing surgeries. Not afraid of hard work, Rachel worked full time at the vet hospital and carried a full load of college courses at night. Dreams are worth working hard for.
