b'DOG GUIDE vsTHERAPY DOGWhat is the difference?by Deborah Jones Finotti, Advertising Representative, Focus on Scugog, and MaxMayissuchabeautifulWehadhimgroomedjustcan do this article better than month.Theowers bloom- beforethelastlockdownyou looks. He has reminded ing,thetreeshaveleaves,because he was going for ame how he got rave reviews the weather makes you feelvisit at the new hospice for aon his February article how lighterwitheachstep,andwalk about with his He par- to get skunked and that his its perfect for long walks. ent to take pictures. Max willwasmuchfunnierthanmy As you know by now ourbe one of the therapy dogsAprilarticleonShingles.I dog Max, my Latin Lover,to be invited for visits oncethink I will hand this over to walking is his favourite passits up and running.I oftenhimbecauseitisaboutthe time, and as a therapy dog,wonderattimesifhehasWalk For Dog Guides.You he has been sti ed for overhired a headhunter to searchwill see other articles within Max looking at me,ayearfromgoingintotheout new jobs.themagazinehoweverIMeet Max Scugogs four leggedthinking,I can write betterhospitals,nursinghomes,As he lies beside me, he isthink from his prospective; it than my She parent. andschoolsthatheloves.once again showing me his Iwill come from the heart.I guess I should beattered once again for being allowedwell lets just say, Im an easy on my back kind of guy, to use my She parents computer, as she doesnt allow myalways open for a belly rub.He parent to use it. Once the year is up, the dog guides go back to the amaz-I think everyone knows by now I am a therapy dog, onceing facility in Oakville and the hard work begins.Depending on af liated with St Johns Ambulance and now Therapeutictheir individual characters and the needs of the recipients, PAWS. they start on a specialized need, it could be visual, hearing, For those of you who are confused with the differencemedical or physical disabilities, and this process can take up between a dog guide versa a therapy dog, let me explain.to another year of training.The Dog Guides have an amazing facility in Oakville, Ontario.My He parent had a cousin with MS, her beautiful dog When the puppies are weaned from their mothers, they areGaia (black Lab) was by her side for 10 years, Gaia was sent to a foster parent for approximately a year.There,able to open doors, even the fridge, pick up objects and to they are loved and start their lessons.They are taughtsignal someone if a special need was required that Gaia was the basics, sit, stand, stay & follow other commands.Theunable to do. The cousins quality of life improved so much; big one is when they are socialized by going out into theher husband and children all agree it prolonged her life.world with a special jacket on letting people know they are inI am humbled by these amazing dogs and what they training and do not pet me.providetotheluckyrecipient.NoticeIsaidLucky Right there, I AM OUT of the game.My leash has a sign saying pet me PLEASE!!!If you want to give me a belly rub,Please turn to page 5415 years Stephen Hughes experienceLicensed PlumberFor all your plumbing needswww.Evolution-Plumbing.caPort Perry 905-218-3659FOCUS - MAY 202153'