Spring Break
Canine Pal Retires from Therapy Dog Duty
Eryn O'Neal
Issue date: 2/23/05 Section: Life
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Daisy was the certified therapy dog for the child development center. The children played with her and even could be heard pouring their hearts out to her. She brought calmness to the staff as well as the children.
"On the Friday prior to Christmas break, Daisy was not acting like herself," said Robin Lammers, registered nurse at Citrus College.
"The vet gave me the sad news that she had severe hip dysphasia, which is a malformation in the hips with arthritic-like changes," Lammers said.
"I contacted Paw-Pals Assistance Dogs, the organization with which Daisy is certified, and they told me she had to be retired immediately due to unpredicted pain," Lammers said. " I certainly understood because the children are the priority."
Daisy was taken to LAX and flown back home to North Carolina on Jan. 1. She will be unable to return to the center because an animal in pain cannot be certified as a facility/therapy dog.
The children were not able to say goodbye. Lammers has taken steps to help the healing process.
"I put together many pictures and books to talk with them about her," Lammers said. "I have sewn a fleece dogie blanket adding a square for each day she has been gone. The children drew her pictures and asked their teachers to put words on their drawings. I sent them all to her with a letter about the children's feelings."
Daisy arrived at Citrus College just a year ago, but she taught the children many things in a short period of time, Lammers said.
"I drew a picture of Daisy and another dog. They were friends," said Noah Treadway, 4.
"My favorite thing about Daisy was petting her," said Karen Barajas, 5.
Daisy was used in exercises to help the children learn the importance of good health. "We brushed Daisy's teeth," Treadway said. "She licked my nose."
"Of course, I had no idea that Daisy's story would end in one short year," Lammers said. "I now have caught the bug of 'Animal Assisted Therapy.' As long as I work with children, I hope to have a trained dog with me to help those important life skills."
"I gained much personally from the experience," Lammers said. "Was it devastating? Yes. When I tell her story, it still brings a tear, not because of my sadness, but for the loss of a good thing."
Daisy's story has continued, however. She appears on the Paw-Pals assistance web-site, www.paw-pals.org, and an article was published about her in Popular Dogs Magazine.
It will cost around $1,500 to have another certified therapy dog placed with Lammers.
"I am fund-raising now," Lammers said. "They already have a dog in mind to work with the children."
Donations can be sent directly to Paw-Pals Assistance Dogs, PO Box 891715 Temecula, CA 92589, care of Diane Morgan (puppy trainer coordinator).