Newsletter September 2014 Issue – 88

SPRINGTIME THEME

What a wonderful way to welcome spring being warmly greeted by the residents and staff at the facilities we visit, the gardens came alive with spring flowers gladdening the hearts of all in attendance who recalled what spring meant to them.

Our team breezed into the facilities this month, the doggies performing with an added spring to their step, Misty giving the spring lambs a hurry up as she herded them into the corral, to the delight of the audience.

“The flowers are blooming along with the trees,
And the sweet smell of blossoms are blown in the breeze,
Be happy my friends and sing with great cheer,
Let all hearts be thankful, that springtime is here”.

SEPTEMBER VISITS INCLUDED

Melody Park Retirement Resort Nerang

Anglicare Day Respite Robina

F.S.G Disabilities

De Paul Villa Ashmore

Nerang Nursing centre

Oz Care Day Respite Runaway Bay

Tallai Glades Mudgeeraba

St James Arcare Helensvale

Parkwood Gardens Arundel

Merrimac Private Care

SPECIAL VISIT

We experienced a very special morning visiting a young man with autism through fsg, we all felt a wonderful interaction between our special dogs, and our volunteers, warming our hearts and feeling so privileged to be part of the special therapy that PFT can give.

PFT VOLUNTEERS

Come from all walks of life, all are busy people who give their time and effort so generously to brighten the lives of others in the community.

One amazing volunteer is Tony, after a car accident 18 years ago left him paraplegic and in a wheelchair being cared for by Lilla (also a volunteer) Tony always with a smile on his face and his little dog Bruce on his knee certainly promote Joy, Love and Laughter whenever they visit with us, they are an inspiration to all they visit and interact with.

COMMITMENT
VOLUNTEERS DON”T JUST DO THE WORK – THEY MAKE IT WORK.

PASSION

You make a living by what you get.
You make a life by what you give!!

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED

We do not forget our canine helpers when their birthday comes along and this month we celebrated Baron’s 6^th Birthday, Baron is a white Swiss Shepherd, a gentle giant much loved by all especially his family, Paula, Zak and Margeurite who all volunteer with us and have done so for 10 years now. All added love and best wishes sniffs and licks as Baron opened his parcel and displayed his new piggie (favourite toy).

A SPECIAL MEMORY

It is with much sadness that we said goodbye to an exceptional lady < Edith , Leonie’s Mother , both Leonie and Edith have volunteered over many years with us , their craft skills were admired by the residents we visit and many have received the lovely birthday and Christmas boxes they so lovingly made .

Max-a-Million (Bichon Frese’) proudly wore his tuxedo (knitted by Edith) when he delighted the audience with his piano playing.

Remembered with much Love!!

I would like to thank our Sponsors and welcome new Sponsors, the names of which are on the Pets for Therapy website: www.gallerygiselle.com/pettherapy.htm

Cheers from Yvonne (Coordinator) and Misty (the wonder dog)

Newsletter August 2014 Issue – 87

SHOWTIME

What a fun time every year when the country comes to the city to celebrate the best of country life , many of the folk we visit have lived on the land and share many wonderful memories with us , having entered their dogs , horses , cattle , crafts , baking etc and enjoyed Show Time with their families . Many of the facilities we visit still enter their craft work and are still winning prizes ( well done ) Bee Cee our border collie rounds up the sheep , while Misty gives the sheep a hard time delighting the audience she eventually gets the sheep in the coral . Sunny Boy comes in style riding his Harley, with line dancing and country music all in attendance clap along. So easy to see why Pets are such good Therapy, at Parkwood Gardens we could not squeeze another resident into the auditorium and a fun morning was had by all.

PET- A – DOG

Once again Bond University Student Group invited us along with our canine companions on a chilly evening, the eve of exam’s to meet and greet with students as a stress reliever, a pleasant and fulfilling evening was spent chatting to the students while they petted and cuddled some of our PFT dogs, we receive wonderful feedback from the students, many come from afar and miss their own pets. Many thanks to all who attended.

A DOGS DAY OUT

Studio Park / Studio Village Community Centre presented their first Expo , all dog on lead were welcome and what a fun day was had by all who attended, many of my team coming along from a sick bed to attend on a warm sunny day they enjoyed Pet- n- Play Stage show , Animal Education , Free Giveaways , Pet Parade etc, congratulations to our winners , Bruce and Tony won best character , Sunny Boy won best dressed , Cyn-D and Bee Cee’s obedience and trick demonstration was applauded loudly . Cavell and Frank donated wonderful doggie raffles, congratulations to the lucky winners!!

THIS MONTH’S VISITS

Arcare Hope Island

RSL Galleon Gardens Currumbin

Oz Care Day Respite Burleigh Heads

FSG Disabilities

Tri-Care Mermaid Beach

Parkwood Gardens

Opal Domain Lodge Ashmore

Cypress Gardens Carrara

Woodlands Lodge Blue Care

SENIOR CITIZEN’S WEEK

Frank applauded the achievements of many outstanding Seniors in our community and brought back many memories of their achievements, we often forget the marvellous contribution the senior‘s make to our society.

I was delighted to receive The Gaven Electorate Award for most community minded Senior Citizen for 2014 and feel privileged that I was chosen by Dr Alex Douglas MP and for his support of the PFT program over many years, I commend the other worthy recipients also.

A SAD GOODBYE

It is with great sadness this month that we announced the passing of little Bobby. Bobby was blind for 8 of his 17 years, a chocolate toy poodle he was so much loved and cared for by Yuki a very special person and volunteer. He came to PFT a very timid and shy little doggie, he gradually opened his heart and began to trust and enjoy his visits with his team friends. Yuki and Bobby were part of our team for 8 years, Yuki continues visiting with us as she says she has learned so much from him and PFT. Dear Bobby you will be sadly missed by so many.

I would like to thank our Sponsors and welcome new Sponsors, the names of which are on the Pets for Therapy website.

To Dieter, our Webmaster – our most grateful thanks.

Cheers from Yvonne (Coordinator) and Misty (the wonder dog)

WINTER THEME

Spreading smiles laughter and love is our motto and we certainly started the month doing just that with our doggies keeping warm in their jackets, scarves and beanies. Our first visit for the month was at Anglicare Day Respite in Southport where we were warmly welcomed by both staff and visitors to share a delicious morning tea, thank you so much girls and guys!!

Then our doggies showed off their special skills playing hooplar, socca, balancing, jumping through hoops, obedience and tricks.

Along with the audience Frank remembered days of fun and frivolity visiting the Mudgeeraba Show Grounds.

BAVIA HOUSE

Our second visit for the month visiting long standing friends we have made over the years is so special to us all , the audience being blind and visually impaired we verbally describe every event along with music , songs and poetry , the audience participation is wonderful as we describe colour , tricks , dogs pedigree or X , size, age etc . A fun morning was had by all who attended and then such lovely fluffy dogs to feel and pat, the smiles on their faces say it all as we leave we feeling a special glow and appreciation.

THIS MONTH’S VISITS

Anglicare Day Respite Southport

Bavia House Moana Park

Blue Care Day Respite Coomera

St James –Arcare Helensvale

Oz Care Day Respite Runaway Bay

Tallai Glades Aged Care Mudgeeraba

Ozanam Villa “Keith Turnbull Place” Labrador

Oz Care Day Respite Burleigh Heads

Tri-Care Labrador

Woodlands Lodge Arundel

LETTER’S RE PFT ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Thank’ s to everyone who wrote to us saying what an enjoyable luncheon they had with us at Coolibah Downs meeting up with old friends and sending photo’s they had taken on the day and hoping we can all be there again next year .

A special thank you to Brian and Fran x Uncle Tom’s Pet Supplies Nerang, they travelled over two hours to attend again this year.

GOLD COAST BENJI

THE POWER OF LOVE ………My Incredible Journey

What wonderful foresight you had Karin to bring this little guy into being , we at PFT are proud to know Benji personally and the amazing work he has done raising much needed funds for the needy not just on the Gold Coast but numerous countries . His vision is to help create a world where unconditional love motivates us all, to help and support others less fortunate than ourselves.

If you have not yet read this book please do so, a remarkable little guy >

Thank you Karin.

A SPECIAL MEMORY

Life brings smiles, tears and memories.

The tears dry, smiles fade, but the memories will live forever.

PFT were invited to attend a goodbye service for Norma, a very special lady we befriended some years ago at The Domain Ashmore. Yuki and Bobby, Yvonne & Misty attended, Norma loved the dogs to visit and spend time with her on her patio surrounded by flowers and hanging baskets.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Many thanks to Donna Journalist Gold Coast Seniors news for a great write up on our wonderful service to the local community for the last 25 years and to Andrew at the Gold Coast Sun for your article.

We have had impressive feedback from both articles with new faces coming along to support PFT.

I would like to thank our Sponsors and welcome new Sponsors, the names of which are on the Pets for Therapy website: www.gallerygiselle.com/pettherapy.htm

Cheers from Yvonne (Coordinator) and Misty (the wonder dog)