Tail Waggin’ Tutors help shy readers

 Many libraries are sponsoring programs where children read their  favorite stories to therapy dogs, and Hudson Library is no exception. Hudson Monthly Magazine has a cover story on “Tail Waggins Tutors” this month.  Check it out — it’s a wonderful program. From the story:

The objective of “Tail Waggin’ Tutors” is to encourage children to read by providing a non-judgmental listener and furry friend to read to that won’t laugh at them if they make a mistake or stumble over a word. Children learn to associate reading with being with the dog, and begin to view reading in a positive way. Over time, the child’s reading ability and confidence can improve because they are practicing their skills.

I think programs like these are a godsend, and I wish they were around when I was a child. I suffered a severe stutter growing up and developed a real fear of reading aloud. Often I would practice reading to my dog and do my speech therapy homework in front of him precisely because he was a non-judgmental, patient listener. Kudos to the volunteers who keep such programs up and running.

Animal Planet star in town

The Humane Society of Greater Akron in conjunction with the Hudson Hydrant Dog Boutique announce that Animal Planet’s GOOD DOG U host Joel Silverman, and co-star Foster, will be in Hudson Thursday. Silverman will be discussing his dog training book, What Color is Your Dog, as well as his philosophy behind his successful career as an animal trainer, answer dog behavior questions and sign copies of his book.

 This free event will take place across from Hudson Hydrant on the Green at 6 p.m.  Also, Hudson Hydrant will offer  free samples of dog food and 10 percent off regularly priced items.  

Silverman is no stranger to Northeast Ohio. He’s a native of Aurora and began his career as an animal trainer at Sea World.  “I believe strongly in the mission of the Humane Society of Greater Akron and am proud to work with them and local businesses that support them to present this free event to the public,” said Silverman.

Ohio’s only firehouse dog

Did you know that Ohio’s only certified firehouse dog handler – and dog – are right here in Northeast Ohio? I didn’t, until I read the Record Courier story about Ravenna Township Firefighter Sally Zaher and Pepper, her black Labrador retriever. That’s them at the left.

Sally became Ohio’s only certified handler after passing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s test with Pepper on June 6 in Dayton. That means Pepper is now a certified search and rescue dog who can be sent all over the world to help rescue efforts. Seems appropriate, as Pepper was rescued herself, from a pound in Texas, by FEMA.

You can read more about their story here. And remember, never underestimate a “pound” dog. Given the right amount of training, attention and TLC, any dog can do amazing things!

For the love of dog

 I am going to try to make time to visit the Akron Art Museum and check out its new exhibit, the photographs of William Wegman (b. 1943) and his beloved Weimaraner, Fay (1984-1995). Our entertainment editor April Helms has all the details about this exhibit, tickets, etc. here. I am not familar with Wegman, but judging from the pictures I’ve seen (that’s Basic Shapes in Color, 1993, color Polaroid, 24 x 20 in.,  at left) and the story about his kinship with the four-footed friends in his life, he sounds like someone worth checking out.

Wegman was in California when he adopted Man Ray, a Weimaraner he named after the surrealist French photographer. The dog became his partner in both life and art during their 12 years together. In fact, Man Ray became so famous that, upon his passing, he was named ‘Man of the Year’ by The Village Voice.

Grief-stricken, Wegman was not going to get another dog. But, as so happens with animal lovers like us, things changed.  In Wegman’s own words: Read the rest of this entry »

When life gives you lemons …

I was really touched when I read this column by Senior Editor Bob Recker in the Twinsburg Bulletin. A little boy named Benjamin was so affected by the news that Twinsburg Police Officer Josh Miktarian’s (he was the officer shot and killed earlier this year after a traffic stop) K-9 Bagio was “retired” and given to the Miktarian family that he was going to make sure the department was able to buy another dog to “keep the policemen safe.” I’ll let Bob tell you about it, but be warned — I teared up when I read it. We need some more Benjamins out there! Read the rest of this entry »

Future furry crime fighter

This adorable little puppy is the Streetsboro Police Department’s newest addition. Bo, a 9-week-old Malinois German shepherd, is starting his weekly narcotics training to be K-9 officer, and will live with his handler Officer Aaron Coates, pictured with Bo at right. Bo, who came from the Schmidt Kennel in Macedonia, should be ready for limited activity as a K-9 officer by March. You can read more about Bo as reported in the Gateway News here.

The first phase of Bo and Aaron’s training involves teaching Bo to find hidden narcotics on a suspect, and should be completed by March. After that, he should be certified to be used by the department. The second phase involves training in how to apprehend suspects, and Bo and Aaron should be certified for that in about a year.

Community donations are helping fund the specially equipped cruiser the team will need, which is estimated to cost $40,000. So far, fund-raising has generated $7,400, which includes a $5,000 donation from the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie 4300.

A doggone good read

I came across a notice in the Gateway News this week that caught my eye: The Pierce-Streetsboro Library invites children who love dogs to come to the library this Saturday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m. for the “Read to a Dog” program.  Levi, a certified therapy Dalmatian (that’s him at the left, in a photo from the Record-Courier), will be there ready to listen to children practice their reading.  According to Therapy Dogs International, some children who have a little trouble reading or who might be self-conscious about reading in front of classmates or teachers can be helped by reading to a non-judgmental, patient therapy dog.

What a fantastic idea! I was intrigued and did a little digging to find out some more about this wonderful program (and Levi). Read the rest of this entry »

That’s Sir Penguin to you!

Being an emperor apparently wasn’t enough for this bird.  A penguin named Nils was knighted by Norway today. Yes, you heard me right. Check out the Associated Press video of that ceremony at Edinburgh zoo in Scotland here. And below is a picture from the European news Web site guardian.co.uk from the festivities. 

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Don’t leave your dog in the car

My GM pointed out a story in USA Today to me this week that talks about the dangers of leaving kids in cars during the summer. Most people don’t realize just how quickly the temperature rises in a closed car:

“Even with comfortable temperatures outdoors, the temperature in an enclosed car climbs rapidly. Temperature increase inside a car with an outside temperature of 80 degrees (elapsed time in minutes):

After 10 minutes: 99 degrees inside car

20 minutes: 109 degrees

30 minutes 114 degrees

40 minutes: 118 degrees

50 minutes: 120 degrees

60 minutes: 123 degrees

Source: General Motors; Jan Null, San Francisco State University

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Good day to be a gorilla

Today, I received a press release that left me speechless — which is not easy to do. The headline is what stopped me in my tracks. 

Koko – Famous Lowland Gorilla Who Understands English Re-releases Her Musical CD

Koko – Fine Animal Gorilla – the only musical CD for a Gorilla approved by a Gorilla 

The CD, called “Koko- Fine Animal Gorilla” (which is apparently what Koko calls herself), was created by SkipHaynes and Dana Walden of the Laurel Canyon Animal Company. This is the CD cover.

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