Category Archives: Therapy dog certification

2021, Adoption, Dogs, News, Service Dogs, Therapy dog certification, Therapy Dogs

Adopted dog Snowflake is now a certified therapy dog

Posted on by Bob Gordon
22
Oct

I am a Great Pyrenees. On July 14, 2020, I was adopted by Biz and Eddie Mann from the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS). At that time, I was way too skinny at 84 pounds and thought to be 3 years old. My fur was matted and short, but they thought I was lovely. They named me Snowflake and brought me home to a house occupied by a 12-year-old Golden Retriever, Annie and a 10-year-old Foxhound mix, Hodges. It is a wonderful home and I adapted well. I liked Annie a lot and just wanted to protect her. I tried to play with Hodges, but he wanted no part of playing! From the beginning, Biz and Eddie wanted to love and cuddle me, which is just what I needed, and I loved them back.

Biz & her super dog Snowflake.

I like folks. In fact, I’m so friendly, I want to talk with everyone we meet on our daily walks. That’s what gave Biz the idea that I might be able to help comfort people who could use a friendly canine hug.

You see, Annie and Biz were a therapy dog team for 9-1/2 years. Biz missed this activity. But once she got to know me, she knew I could be a great therapy dog. Thus, the training and work began. First, I ate lots of good food to put on more pounds and added coconut oil to enhance my fur coat. I got up to a healthy 102 pounds and my fur coat is soft and luxurious. Next, I attended school for six weeks of basic obedience training. Thank goodness I passed! (I can be a little stubborn.)

After the winter holidays, Biz contacted the tester/observer in our area to see when we could schedule the therapy dog test. We had to be together for six months before testing could occur. Finally, on February 26, we had the therapy dog test and we passed with flying colors! Next, we had to have three observations with the tester/observer in various places. Our first was at Tractor Supply Co. store, the second at Hitchcock Place Assisted Living and the third at Lowe’s. Again, we passed with accolades!

Now I have my Alliance of Therapy Dogs certification papers along with a red heart to wear on my collar. I’ve already visited two rehab facilities and two assisted living places. I love this job! Everyone wants to pet and love on me. Plus, I get to see lots of smiles.

Biz plans to take me to visit VA hospitals, children’s medical facilities, schools, nursing homes and anywhere else that allows therapy dogs. I can’t wait! I want to bring my doggie love to as many people as possible.


Snowflake, a dog adopted from the ACAS, is now a certified therapy dog.

The County Shelter is at full capacity and has many wonderful dogs who, like Snowflake, can bring much joy and happiness into people’s lives. They just need a second chance at a good life. Come to 333 Wire Road in Aiken and we’ll help you find the dog that brings lots of smiles to you and your family.

— By Biz Mann, FOTAS Volunteer

2021, adopter feedback, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Therapy dog certification, Therapy Dogs

Shelter Dog Replaces Dog of a Lifetime

Posted on by Bob Gordon
23
Feb

FOTAS Programs Coordinator Kathy Jacobs knew Scott Albrecht and Harvey were meant to be together. When she first saw Harvey arrive at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS), she somehow divined that this handsome, black and brown, longhaired dog was the perfect match for him.

Harvey was found as a hungry stray at a Shell gas station in Williston and was brought to the shelter by a Good Samaritan. After mourning the death of his last dog, Shimmie, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever he adopted as a pup, Scott thought he was finally ready to find a new canine companion. Shimmie suffered a massive stroke when she was about 15 years old and Scott was having trouble getting over her.

Harvey shortly after arriving at the Aiken County Animal Shelter as a stray.

“I had been without a dog for some time and when I met Harvey at the shelter, he immediately got on his back and wanted me to rub his tummy, so we hit it off right away,” Scott said. “Harvey helped me bring closure to Shimmie’s passing.”

Scott’s mother, Joan Irvine, also fell in love with Harvey. She says she and her husband, Rich, enjoy babysitting the affectionate dog when Scott has to work 12-hour shifts as a production operator at Owens Corning in Aiken.

Joan has worked directly with rescues and shelters for more than 20 years, most recently as a FOTAS volunteer. Before the pandemic raised its ugly head, she brought adoptable ACAS dogs to the Aiken Petco nearly every Friday to showcase them and find them homes. She has been an animal advocate all her life and has had dogs since she was a little girl. Her first dog was a stray Fox Terrier puppy that her mom rescued when they stopped for fuel at a gas station. “My mother scooped her up and took her to the vet and she became part of the family,” she said.

Although Joan and Rich have two dogs of their own, they love having Harvey around and treat him kind of like a grandkid.

Scott Albrecht with Harvey, Feb. 2021

“Dogs are meant to be spoiled, in my opinion,” Joan said. “Since I don’t get to go out like I used to because of COVID-19, it’s really wonderful having him around.”

Because Harvey is such a calm, well-behaved, smart boy, Scott plans to get him certified as a therapy dog. Scott said Harvey has a strong nurturing instinct and seems know whether a stranger needs a hug or if he needs to give the person some space. When Harvey sees children, he is careful not to overwhelm them if they are scared.

COVID-19 has made it a challenge for Harvey to begin his path toward visiting and being a therapeutic presence in VA hospitals, homes for abused children and retirement homes. But Scott plans to enroll him in classes soon.

Harvey’s incredible,” Joan said. There is something about him. He makes you happy!”

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2018, Adoption, awards, Dogs, essay, FOTAS, News, Service Dogs, Therapy dog certification, Therapy Dogs

Abandoned Shelter Dog Now Comforts People in Need

Posted on by Angel Hartline
26
Aug

Beth and Gary Bode adopted Buck, a two-year-old Retriever mix, from the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) nine months ago on Halloween. They had lost both of their chocolate Labs to age-related maladies in 2015 and weren’t sure they were ready to go through the pain of loss again.

But there was something special about Buck.

Beth Bode proudly displays Buck’s American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen ribbon.

When he was picked up as a stray and brought to the shelter, Beth was volunteering for FOTAS as a dog walker. She had already mentioned to the shelter staff and FOTAS team that she was thinking about adopting a pet who could be certified as a therapy dog to visit schools, hospitals, senior living centers and other institutions. Despite his initial shyness and difficult past, Buck had an especially gentle demeanor, so FOTAS Programs Director Kathy Jacobs introduced him to the Bodes.

“We took him for a ‘Doggie Day Out’ and knew within the first hour that he was meant to be ours!” Beth said. Buck hopped up on their bed and cuddled with the couple during his first night as their adopted dog, but it took months for him to fully trust that he had a home for life. The Bodes took advantage of the free training session included with every ACAS adoption and said it helped them understand how to help Buck adjust to his new home.

Once Buck started feeling more confident, Beth researched how to get him certified as a therapy dog through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD), a group active in the Aiken/Augusta area. She enrolled Buck in a six-week course and he passed the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen test. She also completed the required police background check on the therapy dogs website and filled-out the application paperwork. Then, she took Buck to take the Alliance of Therapy Dogs test, and he passed that too!  After three supervised therapy visits, Beth mailed the completed paperwork and certification fees to ATD and soon received a welcome packet containing Buck’s official ATC certificate, member handbook, ID card, and dog tag.

Now, Buck goes on frequent therapy visits with the Aiken/August ATD group or the Aiken group, “Love on Leashes”. He is learning from the other therapy dogs and enjoying his interactions with strangers in need.

Buck with his Therapy Dog certificate and identification tag.

“We had a wonderful visit last week at HarborChase (an assisted living and memory care center in Aiken), where he comforted a man who had to put his dog to sleep the previous day,” Beth said. “He made an immediate connection, climbed next to him and put his head in the man’s lap. It was amazing!” Incredibly, the man’s deceased dog was also named “Buck”.

Buck has come a long way from the scared, wary stray that arrived at the County Shelter nine months ago. Now he’s a happy and confident canine who contributes to society.

“We feel very blessed to have Buck in our lives,” Beth said. “We thank FOTAS and the Aiken Animal Shelter for all they do to save and rehome the many wonderful animals that end-up in their care.”

Their lives are in our hands

 – By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

By the Numbers

From Aug. 1 to 22, the ACAS received 385 strays and surrendered pets. During last weekend’s Clear the Shelters event, 75 animals were adopted.


Pets of the Week

CARTER
Shepherd mix, male, 2 years old, 61 pounds

LANDRY
Domestic medium-hair kitten, male, 5 months old, 6 pounds