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)

Newsletter June 2014 Issue – 85

PFT SPECIAL ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Celebrating 25 years as a voluntary service to the local community.
Our silver anniversary “WOW”
Held at Coolibah Downs Nerang on Sunday 1^st June 2014, 75 guests enjoyed the unique setting, the atmosphere, the delicious buffet, wonderful company and most attentive staff. The guests included many of our Sponsors , local Dignitaries , Friends of PFT , Our Team of Volunteers , Katrina , Diversional Therapist from Oz Care Day Respite Burleigh represented the many Diversional Therapists on the Gold Coast explaining in her speech the vital role that Diversional Therapy plays , many people had no idea what Diversional Therapy is and found Katrina’s speech most informative .
Many thanks Katrina for your loyal support over many years.
A very special guest Nancy (90 years) from Earle Haven has never missed a luncheon another loyal supporter of PFT.
Wonderful background music provided by Christeen and donated by Jenny Crewes (Somerville Funerals) helped toward a great atmosphere, thank you so much girls.
We were entertained by Karen and Robyn with their dancing dogs showing their special technique.
Frank once again as MC did an amazing job, I observed much laughter and enjoyment throughout the function, many thanks Frank we all enjoy your humour.

THE DAY gives me an opportunity to say a big thank you to all who support our unique community endeavour, especially our volunteers who give their time and effort so selflessly to bring a little Joy, Laughter and Love into the lives of others.

Pets Stock Ashmore again contributed promotional bags as did the G.C.C.Council and Canadae Pet Food, Uncle Tom’s Pet Supplies Nerang generously provided $200 worth of vouchers.

MY SINCERE THANKS FOR ALL THE NOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS ON OUR “SILVER ANNIVERSARY” surely a milestone well achieved.

RAFFLE TABLE

Wonderful contributions this year to our annual fund raiser, congratulations to all the lucky winners!!
Many thanks to everyone who donated the prizes your help is so very much appreciated and what lovely prizes to win just amazing.
How lovely the table looked and thanks to all who manned the table and sold tickets!!

QUEENSLAND DAY

Celebrated on the 11^th June at Oz Care Day Respite Burleigh , flying the Qld flag , what a fun day we had with the guests , many are true maroons and we all enjoy a test of how well we know our Queensland ……..verrry interesting !!

SPECIAL VISITOR

At Oz Care Runaway Bay we welcomed Rita, Annette’s visitor from Melbourne, lovely to see the interest in our program, Rita a nurse enjoyed the morning and was thrilled to see the joy, and laughter we were able to impart with doggies doing tricks, dressing up and showing off their obedience skills to the audience then getting a well-earned pat and cuddle.

THIS MONTH’S VISITS

Galleon Gardens RSL Currumbin
Hillview House Merrimac
Oz Care Day Respite Burleigh Heads
Nerang Nursing Home
Oz Care Day Respite Runaway Bay
St James – Arcare Helensvale
The Domain Lodge Ashmore
Hillview House Ashmore
Cypress gardens Carrara
Earle Haven Orchid House Nerang
Private visits requested

WELCOME

We welcomed two new members this month to our team,
Jan and Buddy, Buddy is a one year old male Dachsund, smooth haired very hansome fellow.

And Marilyn and Ozzie, Ozzie is a two year old male Yorkshire Terrier, too cute to be a boy, rather shy although getting to enjoy the company of our other team members.

Both dogs have delightful temperaments and will be much loved in the facilities we visit I am sure.

BIRTHDAYS CELEBRATED

What a busy month for celebrations both two and four legged, we started with my birthday, Annette, Elizabeth, Marguerite, Santo, Caesar, Buddy and Ozzie.

Newsletter May 2014 Issue 84

MAY   DAY
Celebrated 1st May with many happy memories of the symbol, a giant May Pole erected in the school ground dressed in flowers or coloured ribbons. It took much skill and practice to dance around the May Pole weaving a garland of colour and then unwoven again. Those days full of fun and frivolity as we danced with our partners at school. Faces light up as we recalled those happy days.

MOTHERS DAY
To honour the many precious Mothers we visit throughout the year we went pink and so did the doggies, boy dogs included wore pink bows as Frank entertained with nostalgic songs and poetry which touched everyone’s heart.

Mother: The lessons and the values you have given me are the gifts I will treasure always…….because you shared them not only through your words, but by your example as well …..Most of all thank you for giving me the greatest heritage of all…..the heritage of love.

MILLION PAWS WALK
Sunday May 18^th at Mt Tamborine on a lovely fresh morning some of our team and their canine companions and friends joined in the 5 Km walk to help raise funds for the RSPCA, animals of all breeds shapes and sizes joined in the festivities then relaxed and enjoyed a picnic lunch (well earned) a light shower did not dampen the spirits, well done Tara our senior dog, a great day and companionship enjoyed by all who attended. We were honoured again this year to be awarded the best presented Team “Well Done Pets For Therapy “.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS WEEK
Volunteers are the backbone of any society and this year we celebrated on Friday 16^th May with a wonderful afternoon tea party and “ Thank You “ from Somerville Funerals at their Chapel in Nerang , hosted by Jenny Crewes and Vicki . We were joined by two other volunteer groups, Volunteering Gold Coast Choir and The Church of the Good Shepherd Ashmore. Somerville and Jenny support many groups and they believe it fitting to acknowledge volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year. Many thanks for an inspirational afternoon Jenny and Vicki and for your valuable support of the Pets For Therapy programme over many years, so very much appreciated by us all.

THIS MONTHS VISITS:

 Anglicare Day Respite Southport

Milpera Cottage Day Respite

Merrimac Park Private Care

Mudgeeraba Nursing Home

Blue care Day respite Coomera

Tallai Glades Aged Care

Southport Nursing centre

Tri-Care Aged Care Labrador

Melody Park Resort Nerang

Anglicare Day Respite Robina

WELCOME
To the newest members of our team, Louise and Santo, Santo is a 1 year old groodle, chocolate in colour he has a wonderful temperament, he was warmly welcomed on his first visit and beautifully behaved, WELL DONE SANTO!!

Mandi and Pluto, Pluto is a black toy poodle 6 months old and full of beans, all eyes light up when they observe this little fellow he is so friendly and loveable.

Annette and Cooper , Cooper is a silky cross breed who was ill treated by his previous owners , Pet therapy has been wonderful for this little fellow with the tender loving care he is getting at home has changed his life around for the better.

FROM CANADA
Justin volunteered with us for two years while studying law at Bond University as he was missing his canine companion back in Canada. Since graduating with honours and returning home he has kept in touch and sent this message .What a great thing you are doing working with Bond University before exams. I know it was a stress relief whenever I was able to play with Misty and the other dogs in your team. I am saddened to hear of Ambra’s passing she was such a sweet little dog but she had a long and rewarding life. Give my condolences to Sonja.

With love from Canada – Justin.

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)