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MCC students get break during exams week with visiting therapy dogs

Better Connecticut: College students are under a lot of pressure, that's why UConn has therapy dogs come to the library. Kara went to the campus to feel the love.

Wrigley Goes to School

Rosie at the Willimantic Public Library

TOJ member Marilyn Douglas and her partner Beau visit senior residents of Belden Forest Court in Simsbury.

For nearly 20 years, trained therapy dogs have been visiting nursing home residents and others who could use a furry friend through Tails of Joy. Now, many of these teams have added canine crisis training.

Paul Rothberg and Marshmallow from Newington, CT are one of just four Pet Partners (therapy animal) teams being honored as winners in the international Delta Society Beyond Limits Award sponsored by Purina.

A Vernon woman and her dog, known as Claire and Bear, have come to be a bright spot for children during difficult times. "The kids will see him and they just seem to forget what's going on around them other than the dog," said Claire Rolando. Bear participates in a program called Pedi Pal, which is run by the Connecticut Visiting Nurses Association Partners. He visits children who are terminally ill, in hospice or have life-limiting diseases.

Volunteer and TOJ Member Claire Rolando of Vernon Receives D.O.V.E. Award

A Calming Presence
Therapy cats provide love and companionship to those who need it

Senator Lieberman honored Mtani (pronounced TAHnee – silent M) as one of CT's Best for his work as a Reading Education Assistance Dog for the program Tails of Joy.

Barbara Hubbard and Laddie featured in The Yale-New Haven Hospital Bulletin

Since becoming certified through the Delta Society as a therapy cat, Aspen has gone to 'work' a number of times at a local nursing facility, which is home to approximately 100 residents (4 floors). In an effort to not 'over work' him, we do 2 floors each visit.

Two boys read "The 300 Pound Cat" to Nashville, a Reading Education Assistance Dog, at the Mary Edwards Library in Willington.

TOJ member Sue Gagnon and Nashville, who is blind, were featured in a Journal Enquirer article about the challenges of training a visually impaired dog.