Twinkler lives with Sherry & Ron Jones and volunteers for It is a goal of Therapy Dogs Inc. to help dog owners use their dogs for therapy work in various places such as nursing homes, hospitals and schools, as well as work with the mentally and physically handicapped. Their objective is to form a network of caring individuals who are willing to share their special animals in order to bring happiness and cheer to people who need something to hold and love. Pet visits often trigger memories of animals they use to own. The regular visits also give nursing home residents something to look forward to. Dogs have been effective in reaching people and children who have withdrawn from the world. Twinkler is a Caring Canine, recently graduated from Therapy Dog, Inc., who lives with Sherry & Ron Jones in California. She was bred at Timshell Farm in Texas. Twinker, the Caring Canine visiting Joel Twinker and Nellie Twinkler Bean: Therapy Dogs Inc. Doodle As I was nearing retirement, I studied dogs in earnest to find the perfect "Therapy Dog". I researched and researched different breeds for about 8 months. One day, while searching online, I stumbled across a hybrid dog that didn’t shed, was good for those with dander allergies, and had a sweet, intelligent personality. It was a Goldendoodle. I fell in love with the hybrid immediately. It took me several months to convince my husband it was the perfect dog for me. And, I was right! We found Twinkler Bean! Twinkler is the most intelligent, gentle, friendly, and stable pet we have ever had. On our outings, even the child who is crying because they are unhappy or frightened of dogs in general will come and pet the "teddy bear" dog. The elderly are drawn to him too, not to mention all those ages in between. Even before he was certified, we believed he was doing a sort of "therapy". When we were in public, people told me Twinkler’s eyes called them over to "visit". Their faces would relax and a smile would appear. Twinkler loves every color, every age, and every personality. Just last week a boy with severe Cerebral Palsy came to the door with his mother. They were out looking for pledges for a "Walk-a-Thon". Twinkler came to the door and was delighted to find Caleb there. He didn’t notice the clumsy petting or the difficult speech. He just enjoyed Caleb. We passed the Therapy Dog Inc. test a couple of months ago. Since then, we have started volunteering in facilities and we feel he makes the world a better place with his soft curly coat, his "smiles", and the wags of the tail "I borrowed my girlfriend's dog goggles but I just couldn't see a thing with all the hair pushed down around my eyes. So, my mom is buying me some doggie sunglasses that don't fit so snug. I hear they prevent cataracts from sun exposure.........so a dog's got to try." JUNE 7, 2007 On Friday, June 7th,Twinkler and other two other TDInc teams attended a meeting regarding a summer program to support Autistic children. Twinkler, Lucerne (Yellow Lab), and Chevy (Yellow Lab) met with the staff. One of the staff members told us she was afraid of all dogs. She was dreading meeting with us. When she met our TDInc sweeties she fell in love with them. She especially loved Twinkler's face. She told us this was the first time she had been around a group of dogs with no fear. There was one child present and he seemed so happy to meet our dogs. Twinkler did all the tricks he knows for him and with him. I will let you know how much fun we have when we actually attend the summer program. Saturday, June 8th, Twinkler went to Walmart for an "official" visit. A couple of weeks ago, Ron and I spoke with 2 assistant managers. They have agreed to have Twinkler "greet" the Walmart staff. You should have seen the smiles as we met the staff. Ron and I thought it was so cute for Twinkler to "greet" the Walmart "greeter". : ) He was so handsome in his red TDI vest. We are very excited about this opportunity. We just finished working with one of our schools. Twinkler was one of the R.E.A.D dogs. Children who do not have grade level reading skills were able to work one on one with an adult while Twinkler cheered them on. He did many tricks and often other school children would step into the work area to give him treats and ask him to perform tricks. Some of the children had a fear of dogs but were able to approach and pet Twinkler or give him a treat. As someone said to us just the other day. "He is always smiling isn't he???" We are so excited that we have so many opportunities to share our dogs with the community. FEBRUARY 15, 2007 Ridgecrest, CA Exciting news, Danny and Twinkler, "Caring Canines", and their handler's went to visit the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital (RRH) for a regular scheduled visit. While going down to A Wing, we met a woman in the hallway who just fell in love with Danny. She told us she was from Atlanta visiting her sick father who was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). She explained how much it meant to her to see the dogs in the hospital and to receive affection from them. She asked us to visit her father in ICU on our rounds. We explained that we don't normally visit ICU. We told her we might be able to enter ICU with special permission from the patient's doctor and the Administration Office. About that time another woman came up to us and told us she was the ICU's patient's physician as well as his wife. She told us she would request that we visit her husband in ICU. We finished with our visits to A and B Wings. We then went into the Administration office and explained the request to them, knowing that ICU rules were indeed different. Administration contacted the Supervising Nurse of ICU, who then gave us special permission to visit the patient in the ICU Ward due to the doctor's request. We were escorted to the patient's room in ICU by Administration. Danny went immediately to the patient's bedside and was very affectionate to the patient. The patient was very responsive and loving to both dogs, commenting on his joy in having the dogs visit him, especially in ICU. The daughter, wife, and patient really appreciated the visit and asked us to come back. After the visit, the Administrator that had escorted us into ICU told us that the experience was very moving to her. She was overwhelmed by the patient's response to our dogs. She then talked to the Supervising ICU Nurse and it was suggested that the policy/procedures should be changed for future visits to ICU. When the approval process is complete, we can use the phone in the ICU waiting room and call the nursing staff. If there is a patient who is able and desiring a Therapy Dog visit, we may enter and see them. Lucerne and Twinkler returned to RRH the following Monday and were able to visit with the ICU patient who had been moved into a regular room. He asked us about Therapy Dog Inc. and told us how much he enjoyed our visits. The staff enjoys our visits as much, if not more, than the patients. They know our dogs by name and come to get their portion of love and joy. This is such a win-win situation. The dogs love it, the handler's love it, the staff folks love it and the patient's love it. We are so thankful to be able to volunteer in this way. Thanks so much, Sherry TWINKLER & VIRGINIA BOYD On December 13,2006 Twinkler, the Caring Canine, was In The News Review - Lifestyle - Caring Canines Make a Difference (www.news-ridgecrest.com) NOVEMBER 30, 2006 Twinkler has had an amazing week. Yesterday morning we went to R.E.A.D. with 4 kids at Charter School. (I will try to get permission for pictures after Christmas.) He has been there 2 times before. He pulled us all the way in the door looking for the kids. He was amazing with the kids. He did his "tricks" for the kids and they were totally impressed with his ability to be so well behaved. He will see 4 kids each week. We will also get to sub on occasion when other Caring Canines can't go. Yesterday afternoon, we went to the Skilled Nursing Facility. Twinkler was so peaceful and calm with the patients. He was very attentive to each person and seemed to know who needed more attention. I think he really has the hang of this now. Everyone was so impressed with him and I was more than proud. Then today, we went to the Adult Day Care Center for about an hour. A news reporter was there to take pictures and get information for a news article. (Don't know which dogs will be in the newspaper yet.) Twinkler was amazing. There were 2 other dogs present. Twinkler was curious to meet the other dogs, then settled down to "visit" with the patients. He was so well behaved and obedient. The group was very impressed. He spent time with each person. He then went to a very sweet woman and stayed very still with her for about 20 minutes, letting her pet him all over. He didn't try to lay down or avoid her petting at all. He moved very close to her and looked at me with a very sweet face. It sure appeared to me that he knew he was sharing a special experience with the woman. Then, the woman looked at me and said..........."He is a very special dog to be so patient with me. He looks me right in the eyes. He was made to visit people." Well, needless to say, this boy IS made to help others and he really is enjoying every experience. : ) And to top it all off.......every one thinks he is just beautiful. What a great Boy we have. ___________________________________________________ SUMMER 2007 From July 31st to August 16th, CREST Jr. offered a Summer Camp Program and Twinkler was one of three lucky dogs who were invited as special guests! Here are some photos: OCTOBER 19, 2007 Here is Twinkler just prior to going to the hospital this week for a visit. He made quite a sensation as a "Halloween Harley Rider". : ) Several of the staff how have his picture as their screen saver or printed out and hung around the building. I am 3 years old now. Here I am with my Vet, Dr. Vicki Boyer. When I get near her office, I pull my family inside because I love seeing her and her cat Nathan. : ) To find out how to become a member of Working Dogs Inc. click on this link : https://www.therapydogs.com/BecomeAMember.html All dogs, purebred and mixed breeds are welcome. ___________________________________________________ For more information please contact : Therapy Dogs Inc. P.O. Box 20227 Cheyenne WY 82003 www.therapydogs.com Main Office Email: therapydogsinc@qwest.net Phone: 877-843-7364 Phone: 307-432-0272