Visits by our dogs are provided free of charge. If you are interested in a visit from a therapy dog, ask your nurse or call the Volunteer Office at 330-596-7822.
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.
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.
Bruhilda is an American Mastiff born March 17, 2008. She lived in Washington D.C. with her former owner until she was adopted on July 24, 2011 and moved to Ohio. She loves visiting with people, taking walks in the park, chasing and getting a drink from the garden hose, playing in the yard with her big blue ball, car rides, and most of all her favorite stuffed animal. Hilda is owned by Susan Poirier.
Callie is a shiloh sherpard and loves to play with her sister Bella. Her favorite spot to lay is on the couch. Calli is a future author...stay tuned! Her owner is Becky Myers.
Chloe is a three year old golden retriever. She loves people! She enjoys playing
with her frisbee and tennis balls. She also likes to play with our other dog,
Brutus and cats Maddie and Emme. Chloe's favorite part about being a
therapy dog is having everyone pet her and give her lots of attention. Her owner is Tracy Raga.
Dezl is a boxer. He loves getting a bath and going anywhere in the car. He is happy as long he has company! He rules the roost over his 1 year old brother Bugzee the Pug. He enjoys being outside, as long as he can cool off in the air conditioning after. Dezl loves people, children and anyone who will give him some attention. Dezl’s owner is Briana Blaser.
Ebony is a lhasa apso and 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.
Elmo is a golden retriever and 95 pounds of people-loving dog! He loves to steal his owner's hats and socks and then the chase begins. Elmo believes everytime the car starts up he should be in it, so he can sleep in the back seat. His favorite foods are cheese, hot dogs and pretzel combos with peanut butter. His owner is Missy Miller.
Emma is a mixed breed and a drama queen! She has performed on stage for Carnation City Players as Sandy in Annie! Her owner is Stacy Allen.
Emmet is a border- collie/“something-or-other” mixed breed. He loves people & children of all ages. He just love being a therapy dog & visiting with the patients and residents at ACH & CCC. It makes him very happy to have them pet him & praise him & tell him how handsome he is. It also makes him very happy to brighten someone’s day & bring a smile to their face. He has 2 doggie brothers & a doggie sister at home & they like to play hide & seek and fetch the Frisbee. But most of all, they love being spoiled rotten by their human parents, Don & Diane Fugate.
Fenny is an american pitbull and a gentle people-lover, who is a great representative of his breed. Everyone who meets him falls in love. Fenny's owner is Penny Flitcraft.
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.
Lola is a weimeraner mix and loves to play, go swimming, and eat doggy treats! Lola knows a dozen tricks such as beg, take, give and spin. Lola's owner is Dawn Williams.
Maggie is a bichon-friser and like to dance and play tug of war. Her favorite toy is an orange goose with a rope tail. Her owner is Debbie Wells.
Molly is a porkie (yorkie and pomeranian mix). Her birthday is February 11, 2009. Her favorite treat is Nature's Recipe. She is a very loving dog, who wants to be with mom or dad all the time. Molly's owner is JoAnn Szwarc.
Paco is a pug and one of nine dogs in his house! He is the baby and is spoiled rotten. Paco's owner is Stacy Allen.
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. Payton's owner is Stacy Allen.
“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. Pierce's owner is Stacy Allen.
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 alone 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 owner is Stacy Allen.
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 eight 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. My owner is Stacy Allen.
Remington is a Lhasa Apso and loves to go for walks in the park. His favorite treat is pizza crusts. His best buddy is his son, Schroeder. He secretly hopes that Schroeder doesn’t become a therapy dog so he can spend more time with his mom Lynn Miller.
Ryley Dean is a 4 1/2 pound chihuahua that makes everyone his friend. Ryley lives with Bear, Belle and Heidi. They have taught him how to be a good therapy dog. He enjoys curling up on the couch and watching TV and eating popcorn. He is learning to ride Bear's motorcycle and can ride in the hummer that belongs to Bear and Belle. Ryley is named after Bear's Grandpa, Dean Baker who used to visit the hospital with Bear. Ryley Dean is handled by Ruth DeFranco and Lynn Sullivan.
Sammy is an English Springer Spaniel, whose full name is Chestnut Creek Farms Sampson. He was born on Groundhog's Day, which also happened to be Super Bowl Sunday in 2009. He lives with his human parents Tony and Diana; Lucy the Bloodhound, and Elliot the cat. His favorite hobbies are chasing the tennis ball, dock diving, and being a therapy dog!
Scamper is a 2-year old minature dachshund. He was born & bred to be a therapy dog at ACH. He is always especially excited to visit the OB department where many of the parents of his doggie brothers & sisters work. Scamper loves to cuddle up & take naps with whoever is willing. He has many doggie tricks he loves to perform in front of an audience and he is currently working on his talents on his agility course at home. Scamper also likes to play fetch, go swimming, & to wrestle with his cat siblings, Libby & Biggums. Although Scamper is very friendly... watch out! Because he is very protective of the new familly addition, Kaylee, Scamper's new infant (human) sister. Anywhere she goes, Scamper is right there beside her.
Selena is a mix breed and loves kids, playing outside, going on car rides and going to McDonalds! Selena's owner is Dawn Williams.
My name is Smoochie. I am a long haired Chihuahua. I am a retired breeding dog that only weighs 5 pounds. After Motherhood it is my time to be pampered….it’s all about me! I am a princess that loves to be held, brushed and dressed up. I love visiting the hospital and people making a big deal about me. I tolerate two brothers Bugzee and Dezl. Dezl and I compete to go to the hospital for visits. He is a lot bigger than me, but don’t let that fool you. I know how to get my way. Smoochie’s adopted Mom is Briana Blaser and Aunt Ruth Defranco.
Star is a chihuahua. She is Smoochie's daughter and was a former show dog. After having a c-section for a litter of puppies, she retired from the show circle. She loves to listen to music and go on walks. She looks up with her big brown eyes and begs you to pick her up. Her owner is Ruth DeFranco.
Thor is a greyhound mix that was a rescue! He is the leader of the pack. Thor's owner is Stacy Allen.
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 is handled by Ruth DeFranco and Lynn Miller.
Whisper is a golden retriever and is Abby's cousin. She loves to go on car rides and eat ice-cream and pizza. Whisper loves to play ball and hide and seek. She has the natural ability to be a therapy dog. When she arrives at the hospital, she jumps out of the car and is ready to visit .Whisper also visits nursing homes, libraries where children read to her, and schools. Whisper has the gentlest eyes and is always ready to be petted. Whisper is handled by Ruth McClelland, Lynn Sullivan, Danese Martin and Ruth DeFranco.
Willow is an australian shepherd. She enjoys all treats, except for pretzels. Willow loves to play catch with the frisbee, chase water from the hose and playing in the snow. Willow's owner is Dale and Kathleen Heffelenger.
