Paws & Reflect Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
Paws & Reflect Pet Therapy Dogs are volunteers that visit Alliance Community Hospital and Community Care Center on a weekly basis. Our dogs come in all shapes and sizes—big and small and everything in between! Whether a purebred or a mixed breed, each dog has a unique personality. All of the dogs have been certified through Therapy Dogs International, Inc. All of the dogs are also covered by TDI’s insurance policy.
Meet Our Dogs
Abby is a Golden Retriever who is a social butterfly. She enjoys playing with her fur brother and sisters, Bear, Belle, Ebony, Tori and Heidi, who also come to the hospital and visit. She enjoys going for rides in the car, meeting new people, and watching TV. She loves to get baths and having her coat brushed. Abby's birthday is on Halloween and she enjoys wearing costumes. Abby's owner is Ruth DeFranco.
Bear is a long-haired Chihuahua and weighs 5 pounds – and is nothing short of amazing! He has won the hearts of people for his ability to ride on a remote controlled Harley Davidson motorcycle, complete with his favorite outfit, his Harley leather jacket, hat and his shades.
Bear loves to be held, especially by the ladies. Bear now has a new ride – a black and red Hummer. He can be seen taking Miss Belle for afternoon rides, although she gets very upset as she is no longer permitted to drive it! Bear allowed her that opportunity only once – she almost crashed the Hummer while she was busy chatting on her cell phone! Now she must be content sitting in the back listening to her iPod while Bear gallantly assumes the role of chauffeur. Bear's owner is Ruth DeFranco.
Click here to go to Bear’s website.
Belle is a Chihuahua and she only weighs 3 ½ pounds! She loves to dress up and refuses to believe she is a dog. When Belle is visiting, most people want to buy her as she is such a little Diva! She demands bubble baths, doggie massages and expensive doggie cologne. She always wants to look and smell her best. She is currently single and loving life to the fullest – as any Diva does! Her owner is Ruth DeFranco.
Hi, I’m Cassie and I love to be outside a lot where I can run (I am really fast) and play. I love kids. Oh, I almost forgot, I love to chase squirrels up the tree and then they laugh at me.
Ebony is Tori’s grandmother. At her age, Ebony enjoys going for walks, riding in the car and just soaking up the sun’s rays. She loves to roll over on her back and have someone scratch her belly. We all have a piece of childhood in our being, and for Ebony, that means being carried around and loved like a little baby, She is very quiet and does not require a lot of attention. She is just happy to be able to sit back with a nice cold drink and watch the world go by! Her owner is Jennifer Henderson.
My name is Heidi. I am a long haired Chihuahua. I like to go shopping at the pet store and give kisses to everyone I meet. Pizza is one of my favorite foods. I hope Bear and Belle let me ride in their hummer with them! My owner is Ruth DeFranco.
Hi! My name is Maizey and I am a Golden Retriever. I was born in Bolivar, Ohio, and was the runt of my litter. My Grammy and Pappy (my owners, the McConnells) chose me because I was the darkest Golden among my brothers and sisters. From the day they brought me home they planned on my becoming a Therapy Dog. I think that is just great because "I jus luv people--especially kids!" For me the next best thing to kids is my flashlight. I love all my toys but my flashlight is my favorite. I love to chase the "spot," and even know how to spell "D-o-t t-h-e S-p-o-t." I just live to please people and every morning I retrieve Pappy's newspaper at the end of the driveway and bring it to him.
I visit the local nursing homes and can't wait to get started with the ACH Therapy Dogs. I want to brighten the day for lots of dog-loving patients and staff and work with programs for kids.
Hi, my name is Payton. I am a black pug. I have eight other doggie brothers and sisters. I also have two people sisters, a mom and a dad. My mom is the one who takes me to Alliance Community Hospital to visit. I have grey on my chin and chest, but I have earned it because I have had two litters of puppies and three of my puppies live at home. I have a very spunky attitude and I like to do fun tricks. One of the tricks that I love doing is riding my skateboard. I love everybody that I meet and I like getting scratched on my back.
“Pass the Pepper, please!” In the case of Pepper, the Australian Shepard, passing means going from one unit to another at Alliance Community Hospital where she is a member of the Paws and Reflect dog therapy program.
Pepper has been a pet therapy dog for over a year, and has become a very popular participant of the program.
Pepper enjoys visiting with the patients, families and staff. While not having grown up with children, she has found a true calling to comfort the “wee ones.” The thick coat of fur she models so well is a true attraction for everyone.
When Pepper is not “working” at ACH, she loves running and playing with her three other Aussie companions on the farm where she shares the turf with cats and horses. Fetch is her favorite game, and she is so adept at it that she can go after anything from a Frisbee to an inch-long stick! Throw it and she will retrieve it!
Yes, Pepper is spoiled rotten, but even so, she listens and minds quite admirably.
Of late, Pepper has began to refuse to eat potato chips or crackers unless they have dip or sauce on them – but then, when you are as special as Pepper, you can afford to be a little picky!
Pepper’s handler and best friend is Betsy Knepp.
Petie is a 12 pound miniature dachshund. He was born on December 30, 2004. His mother is a wirehaired doxi and his father has a smooth coat like Petie.
Petie loves to take walks in the park and indulge himself in his most favorite past time...sniffing! He loves to follow a scent (it's the hound in him). He is well known and loved by everyone in the neighborhood. On Halloween he loves to greet the little goblins in his costume and pass out candy. He is definitely a people person (dog).
He is a wonderful lap dog and likes to cuddle. With his sweet disposition he will make a grat therapy dog. Petie is absolutely a weiner winner. Petie's owner is Barb Devies.
Hello, my name is Pierce. I am a fawn pug. I have eight doggie brothers and sisters. My favorite thing to do is snuggle on the couch with somebody. I am extremely laid back and every person I meet is my best friend. I am the biggest pug in the house. My nickname is Pugzilla! My dog mom and sister both visit at Alliance Community Hospital with me and we live in the same house. My mom is the best and she takes me everywhere. We go to the hospital, nursing homes, and schools. Overall, I just love getting attention and being around people.
Hi, my name is Piper. I am a brown and black brindle greyhound who retired from the race track. They said I wasn't a good racer, but what do they know! I love being petted, playing and going for rides. I love everyone I see. I am just getting started in therapy work, but my 15 year old sister was in it and said it's really fun. I passed my TDI test on July 26, 2009 and will now get to visit ACH, nursing homes and programs for kids. Besides my therapy work, I do a lot of volunteering with the Ohio Greyhound Gathering. My adopted mom is Karen Miller.
My name is Pixie, which is short for Pixie Stick. I am a black pug who has eight doggie brothers and sisters. I also have two people sisters, a mom, and a dad. When I sleep I snore really loud! I don’t like to be along and I love being with my brother Pierce. When I’m not with my brother, I am with my mom visiting at Alliance Community Hospital. I am very sweet and loving. I like little kids a lot. I also love being the center of attention and letting everyone pet me.
My name is Pugsley. I am a five-year old rescued pug and my mom thinks I am the best pug in the house! I come from a big family of either doggie brothers and sisters, two people sisters, my mom, and my dad.My mom is Stacy Forchione-Allen and she spends a lot of time with me. I am very much a momma’s boy and I’m proud of it. She is the one who takes me to schools, nursing homes, libraries, and hospitals. My mom also does other things with me like playing agility. The one thing we don’t agree on is when she puts silly outfits on me. When she does this I show her that I am unhappy by making my curly tail go straight. One thing I like a lot is my puggy buggy! Overall, I am very laid back and quiet. I’m also the smallest pug in my house.
Rusty, a Nova Scotia Duck toller Retriever, was rescued from the Dog Pound in Ravenna OH in October 2003, believed to be around 2 years old. I actually picked him up the day he was to be euphanized. He loves people and expecially being petted, which is what brought him to becoming a therapy dog in the Spring 2004. He greatly enjoys his visits to the Hospital and local Nursing Homes; when he sees me get our ID tags and his rainbow leash he knows we are going visiting and starts jumping around with excitement.
He is a very loveable pal, loves when we take our walks around the neighborhood, also loves chasing the ducks back to the lake when they come in our yard and playing toss with his favorite toys. Rusty has taken classes to do Dog Agility, but he tends to want to visit with everyone instead of running the Agility Course. Rusty's owner is Marcia Stoffer.
Tori is a Lhasa Apso. She and Bear are best friends – strictly platonic! She is a tomboy and will consent to wearing a dress occasionally, but she is much happier in blue jeans and sweats. She loves the outdoors, particularly going for rides on warm summer days when she knows an ice cream treat will be part of the fun. Tori loves everyone and just wants to make everyone smile. If permitted, Tori would curl up for hours on end on someone’s lap. Tori's owner is Ruth DeFranco.
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