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THERAPY DOGS INTERNATIONAL AND READING WITH ROVER
VOLUNTEERS ARE GOING TO THE DOGS
Book Motivates and Inspires
Dog Lovers to Volunteer
Henderson, Nevada, July 7, 2010/–Author Judy McFadden wrote Life with McDuff: Lessons Learned from a Therapy Dog
for two reasons: to tell the world about her nine-year journey with an
extraordinary Scottish terrier therapy dog and to motivate and
encourage dog lovers, especially seniors, retirees and baby boomers, to
volunteer in therapy dogs and animal assisted reading (AAR) programs.
As a certified Therapy Dogs International volunteer, Judy
accompanied her remarkable therapy dog on his mission to bring comfort
and joy. She witnessed his astonishing impact on individuals
during his therapy dog visits.
• Five young adults described in the Las Vegas Review-Journal
as having the most severe mental and physical disabilities in the state
of Nevada, responded to McDuff in surprising ways in the Opportunity
Village Project PRIDE Program.
• A chubby fifth grader
with crippling reading difficulties and low self-esteem, went from a D
average to the honor roll after reading to McDuff for twelve weeks in
the Reading with Rover program.
Judy and her Scottish terrier, McDuff, appeared on KVBC-TV Channel 3 News in Las Vegas and on the front page of the Anthem View newspaper in Henderson, Nevada, in recognitions of McDuff’s outstanding therapy dog work. Judy
speaks to audiences to promote awareness of the benefits of
volunteering in therapy dogs programs. She says it takes little
effort to brighten up a nursing home or assisted living facility with a
visit from you with your dog. And, it’s not hard to sit quietly
nearby while an elementary school student with reading difficulties
reads to your dog at a library. The cost is minimal and retirees
can set their own flexible schedule. There are therapeutic
benefits as well. People with dogs and other pets have:
• Lower blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol levels
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Depression and loneliness erased
• Better health and mental capacity for seniors
Dog
lovers worldwide, regardless of religion, race, culture, or age, can
relate to one of the life lessons that McDuff taught Judy: unselfish
service to others. Judy knows that you get back so much more than
you give when you volunteer. When you help others, you help
yourself. It’s a win-win situation. # # #
For more information about the book, or to schedule an interview, contact Judy McFadden at 702-433-4986, judymcf@cox.net, or visit her website at www.lifewithmcduff.com.
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