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Challenge: We love our pets

For the love of Therapy dogs

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I am fortunate to share my life to two very special therapy dogs. Tinker Bell is a 10 year old Bichon Frise. When she was just a puppy two trainers asked if I was going to make her a therapy dog. I said sure. That snap second decision changed my life for the better. At one year old she was licensed and certified as a therapy dog. We started with visits to a local nursing home and then a Reading Program at Pawtucket's Public Library. When I lost my Mom the next year it was Tinker Bell & our therapy work that help me deal with the loss. When Tink was 4 years old, I retired from work and with another snap decision, added Wendy to our family. At a year and 1/2 she too was certified therapy dog. The dogs currently visit a Senior Center and an adult Day care. They both still do the reading program at the library along with two story times, one for autistic children. They are reading dogs at two school. Visiting twice a week at each school, and they visits patients and staff at Miriam hospital. I am truly blessed to share my life with these amazing "girls". I don't have any human children. They are my babies. The picture was taken when I was inducted into Pawtucket Hall of Fame because of my therapy work with the dogs.

Dawn Goff

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