NEWSLETTER 44
MAY
2005
Sparky's
Story & Teki's Tale
Sparky and Teki are perky little
Shih Tzus that will turn themselves inside out for you. No one would ever guess
their dismal past. Sparky and Teki came to us from the caring people at
the Niagara County SPCA. They were two of the three survivors of an appalling
animal abuse case, rescued by the SPCA from a filth-ridden trailer amid dead
carcasses of other animals. These innocent animals had no choice but to trust
their lives to the people who would eventually turn their back on them and
abandon them to suffer and die. I will never understand how some people can be
so totally cruel and uncaring. After lots of medical care, handling and love
given by the SPCA, Sparky and Teki were ready to be adopted out. We are so
thankful that the staff at the shelter recognized their potential! We
received a call from the SPCA telling us about these two special little guys,
wondering if we would like to come temperament test them. So we went over and
checked them out. We found Sparky to be an animated little gentleman who loved
to play fetch and responded well to all the sounds we set off. Teki, his mom,
had a little lower energy level, but was very cuddly and affectionate. Seeing
their potential, we adopted them both.
Teki, being the loveable lap dog type, was trained to be a Therapy Dog.
She just loves going to nursing homes, greeting the residents with her wagging
tail and affectionate kiss. Before you know it, she’s on her back in their laps
enjoying a relaxing tummy rub. Of course the hard part comes when we have to
leave and she looks at us with her beautiful pleading eyes as if to say,
“Please, just five more minutes ~ this is heaven.” She wins AND the patients
win! She also works her magic here at the Center when volunteers, visitors and
staff need that extra serving of love and affection to help turn a stressful day
around.
And then there’s Sparky! He needed a little extra care and training to
teach him some basics, including house breaking. Coming from such deplorable
surroundings, Sparky’s house manners left much to be desired. We used loads of
positive reinforcement and repetition to modify his old behavior. And after
lots of, “But I’ve always done that so I know it’s okay,” from Sparky, we were
able to convince him that there were some rules and better options. Once he
understood that, he was eager to please and proceeded to Hearing Dog training.
He learned quickly and was soon ready to be matched with a partner for his new
exciting Assistance Dog career.
Many of you read the touching story about Hearing Dog Kelli
and Suzi Behun in our last newsletter. Kelli had passed away in January 2005.
She and Suzi were so lucky to have had each other for so many years. Suzi
was missing her Hearing Dog very much, as she had never been completely alone
before in her life. After months of mourning the loss of Kelli, Suzi felt it
was time to move on and get a new Hearing Dog and companion. When she came to
our Center and met several dogs that were good candidates for her, Sparky just
shined! He turned on his cute and affectionate personality and made all the
right moves to win Suzi over. Sparky is now completing his customized
training to match Suzi’s hearing needs, and the two of them will begin training
together this summer while Suzi is on school break. Both are eagerly looking
forward to it! Be sure to read the next issue of Canine Helpers’ newsletter to
see the results of another match made in heaven. Again, thank you to the
Niagara County SPCA and to those responsible for the rescue and rehabilitation
of these two very special little pooches. They are moving on to wonderful
fulfilling careers, in addition to helping so many people in their daily lives.
And a very special thanks to all of you who make these positive changes possible
through your generous financial support.
Featured Pet: Chico
Chico is an adorable 3
year old neutered Chihuahua mix. He came to us through some pretty bizarre
circumstances. A caring lady who was riding her bicycle down a quiet
country road witnessed a car up the road slow down and throw something out its
window. As the woman approached the area, she was horrified when she realized
the thrown object was a little dog. Fortunately the dog had not sustained
injuries from being thrown out the window, but he was totally terrified and
confused. The woman was
able to catch the frightened dog and took him home with her. Unfortunately, her
own two dogs would not accept him, so her daughter brought him to Canine
Helpers. He had obviously been badly abused and was afraid of strangers. Yet
it was also clear that there was an intelligent, loving dog inside that little
body waiting to be rescued and given a second chance in life. He was dubbed
“Sir
Chico”
and received vet care, house manners and obedience training, in addition to
loads of love and confidence building. Chico did improve a lot, but not
quite enough to become a does not make it as a working dog. They are then put
up for adoption and matched into loving pet homes. Chico is very loving,
but still a little unsure of some people. He is an excellent watch dog. He
loves to be held and petted or to play with his toys. He can get a little
protective of the person he picks to be number one. The affection he gives back
is endless. If you are a loving, understanding person willing to help
Chico have the life he deserves, please call the Center and come meet him in
person.
We think Chico will work his way into your heart, the same way he did
into ours.
Lion Bill
Rolland Issues Lions Den Challenge!
The Youngstown Lions Club has issued a challenge to District 20N Lions
to contribute enough money to cover the cost of TWO FULL SPONSORSHIPS for
TWO CLIENTS in District 20N. That’s a total of $26,400! What a fantastic
challenge! After the challenge has been met, a “Lions’ Den” section will be set
up in Canine Helpers’ Renewing Garden in their honor. We thank the
Youngstown Lions Club and all the clubs meeting the “Lions Den Challenge”
for giving the gift of security, freedom and independence to two very deserving
individuals living with disabilities. Thank you for your awesome support!
P.S. We can’t help but wonder, are there any other Lions Districts or other
organizations out there ready to take on this roaring challenge?
Kensington Lions Make Wish Come True
As many of you have probably noticed, a laptop computer has been on
Beverly’s wish list for several years. Well, thanks to the Kensington Lions
Club, this wish has come true! Not only did they donate a new Dell laptop
computer, but the programs and carrying case too! Now, whether Beverly is
on the road or in her office, pertinent information will be at her fingertips.
Thank you
Kensington Lions Club
for enabling CHH to run
smoother and more efficiently!
Basket raffle prizes for Open House
Would you or your business be interested in donating a prize for our Basket
Raffle? Or do you know a business that might consider contributing a
gift? It seems like we ask many of the same businesses every year, and we
really appreciate their generosity (especially those who continue to donate
every year)! So we hoped our readers may have some fresh ideas to help us out.
If you can help us out, please give us a call and let us know what you are
bringing. If you can drop the item off before Open House – great! If not,
we’ll save a spot for it. You do not have to put it in a basket for us, but if
you’d enjoy wrapping it, all the better! All our Basket Raffle sponsors
will be listed on a poster at Open House, as well as in our next newsletter with
a circulation of 8000! And, all donations are tax deductible.
~ Wish List ~
Cash
Donations!
dog walking chart time
clock postal scale
rubber gloves hair dryers batteries
hand-held spot light printer paper red bricks
circular saw bleach box fans
hot water hose arbor trees
Riding mower shrubs gravel
Free detergent towels blankets
park bench kongs duct tape
Sponsor A Team & Make
A Difference
Can you help sponsor the cost of an Assistance Dog - Client Team Training? We
are currently promoting our new giving category ~ Team Sponsorship. Some
of our clients need a little extra help in getting sponsors for their Assistance
Dogs. As everybody knows, the competition for funding is overwhelming these
days. There are so many worthwhile causes.
Our clients fund raise by sending out letters about themselves, their
needs, and how the Assistance Dog will help give back their freedom,
independence and security. They also sell raffle tickets, candy bars, and
anything else they can do to help out. Some clients are very successful and
others are not. It is not due to the lack of trying; they work very hard. Some
areas just do not understand the concept of Assistance Dogs. That’s where the
Team Sponsorship could really make a difference. For $500 you can help
cover the new team’s training together. It takes an average of three weeks
training: one week here and two weeks in our client’s home and hometown. $500
will help pay for one week of that training. You can play a crucial role in the
success of our working teams! Perhaps if you have been a Puppy Sponsor in the
past, you would consider becoming a Team Sponsor this time. Thank
you for considering this challenge to make a very real positive difference in
someone’s life.
Added note:
Your response to our Puppy Sponsorship
has been wonderful over the years. We thank those who help give our puppies a
good start. If this is your favorite area of giving, we certainly welcome your
continued support. All monies are used in the area for which they are
designated.
Outstanding Support !
A.E.S. Somerset,
LLC Robert W. Diegelman
Sams Club Foundation Joanne
Jakubowicz
Blackwinds Pet Supplies Lions Club of
Wilson, Inc.
George
M. Southard PTA #11-058 Dance-a-Thon
New York State Good Sam
Organization – Sippin Sams Chapter
~ In
Memory of Loved Ones ~
Josiah Stephen Renaldo Dorothy Grove
Glover Pat and Murph
By: Great Grandma Underwood By:
Martha Lou Riddle By: So. Buffalo Lackawana Lions Club
President Ronald Reagan Robert
Davis
Lois June Schmidt
By: Mr. & Mrs. Eldridge Kendrick By:
Dorothy Shaw By:
Frederick Schmidt
Bill Tolhurst
Robert B.
Carlin
Eli Rey
Anna
Wilczynski
By: Heritage K-9 Search, Rescue By: Judith
M. Carlin
By: Tillio & Irene
LaVanche
& Tracking
Service
Bruce and Dorothy Ludemann Charles A. Kuhns, Jr.
Niagara County Sheriffs Dept. By:
Jack and Connie Walmsley
~ Special Forces Unit
Carol Daigler
Marza D. Kelly
Members and Contributors
FEBRUARY
2005
Heritage K-9 Search, Rescue Deborah
Welch Mrs. Robert Capowski
& Tracking Service Blackwinds Pet
Supplies Jack & Connie Walmsley
Lewiston-Porter Middle School
Kenan Winter Fest Ahold Financial
Services
~ Faculty and Staff Sam’s Club
Foundation AES Somerset, LLC
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Bruce & Dorothy Ludemann Angela
See
Kiwanis Club of Lewiston, Inc. Niagara County Sheriffs Dept.
Martha Lou Riddle
George M. Southard PTA #11-058 ~ Special Forces Unit
Brompton Heights, Inc.
~ Dance-a-Thon Elaine’s Flower Shoppe,
Inc. Lions Club of Wilson
NYS Good Sam Organization Town of Niagara Lioness Club Penny
Torrisi
~ Sippin Sams Chapter Mr. & Mrs. Eldridge Kendrick
Ruth W. Scott
So. Buffalo-Lackawana Lions Club
So. Buffalo Lions Club
~ Ronald Roof, Sr.
MARCH
2005
United Way of Bflo & Erie Co. Patricia Walker
Dorothy Shaw
~ Donor Choice Program Girl Scout Troop #269
Sanborn Lions Club
Marie Reed, Tupperware Mgr. Joanne Jakubowicz
Carol Daigler
Washington Mutual – Matching Gift Sandscript Print,
Inc. Lions Club of Arcade
Southtowns Working Dog Club, Inc. Baker Preschool
Barbara Wrobel & Sami
Edward James and Sharon Gisel, Jr. Mary Bucciarelli
Ella Kraft
Jane Rennick Robert Nowakowski
Robert Diegelman
Thomas Hogan Ella Lownie
James and Tillie Craig
Liz Durkee Norman
Sinclair Andrew Fortin
Clarence Lions Club Amie Spangenberg
Jane Gailey
The Rev. and Mrs. David Weidman Ron, Donna & Herman Ashley Alice
Shimer
John and Lori Girts, Adam & Hannah Frederick Schmidt
Jim and Joan Carlo
Michael and Monica Pullano Kathleen and John Rogers
Vicki Mehr
Suzanne Freeman Margaret
Lomas Janice Pilarowski
Mrs. Jane Titterson
Theresa and John Tourbin Judith Carlin
Kathleen Mueller Dorothy
Merrill Nicolette Alfieri
Marza Kelly Frances Hartel
Richard Hart
Robert and Ellen Karp Dawn and Jon Kochevar
Anna McCollum
Shirley Richardson Kari
Watson Amherst Lions Club
Buffalo Guild Care Joyce Wiepert
Norma and Harold Dick
Stevenson Elementary School Tillio and
Irene LaVanche Bassett Park Manor
Wilfred and Helen Smith Blocher
Homes Rosalie Proietti
~ Health Fair Ruth Kureczka
Beverly Czodli
John Paul Bobo Chpt. 264 MOPH Joyce Lindbloom
Dori Anderson
Edward C. Seymour VFW Post 1231 Jr. Girls Unit #7545
Judith Liedike
Sigma Phi Gamma Int’l Sorority, Inc. The Southern Amusement Co. Hilton
Lions Club
~ Beta Beta Chapter CFC Donor Choice Program
Margaret Fairhead
Sheridan Drive Lions Club, Inc. Sharon Kooken
Bath Lions Club
Wilson Conservation Club Aux, Inc. Virginia
McKenzie Audrey Zolnierowicz
Jack Eggert Margie’s Restaurant
Twin Cities Lions Club
Big Flats Lions Club Michael Keem, DVM
Owego Lions Club
Lorraine Eckner
Catherine Lecksell
And
thanks to those who donate through the United Way, SEFA and CFC Donor Choice
Program!
Aloha George M. Southand
Elementary School!
Boy
when these kids commit, they don’t mess around! I was shocked when they
presented Demo Dog Bailey and me with a check for $900. The students and PTA
#11-058 held a Hawaiian themed dance-a-thon to raise money for Canine Helpers.
When Bailey and I got there, all the kids and adults were having a great time.
Everyone left with a big smile because they had such a good time and did such a
wonderful job fundraising for Canine Helpers and our dogs and clients.
Thank you George Southard Elementary
School !
What an awesome accomplishment!
We are looking for a few good loving homes!
At Canine Helpers there are
some great loving dogs that are looking for wonderful loving homes. If you
think you might have room in your heart for one of these special canines,
please contact the Center or Sharon Behun (716-685-1819) or Susan Nowicki
(716-634-6530) for a Pet Adoption application. Here are some words from a few
of our canine pals looking for a home.
Hi! My
name is Mindy.
I’m a 6 year old Blue Heeler-Beagle mix. There is not another girl like me
around. I am fun loving and calm, looking for a loving home with someone that
will play chase the ball with me. I am not shy at all and will let you know
exactly how I feel by the speed of my wagging tail. When really excited or
happy, my tail will go in a complete circle! I had a bit of a health problem
when I was younger, which kept me from becoming a Service Dog. I am better now
and need only have regular check-ups with our friendly Holistic Veterinarian.
If you are looking for a quieter type of dog, perhaps my friend Harley would be
more your type.
Hey, I’m Harley,
a handsome Chocolate Lab in the prime of my life. I’m 5 years old and one of
the rarest of labs, a laid back guy who likes the quiet life with lots of love,
gentleness, and a good smoked bone to chew on. I am the perfect match for that
quiet individual who likes slow evening walks in quiet woods or parks, and a
sunny summer Sunday spent on the patio reading the paper, contemplating the
goodness of nature. I am a bit reserved when it comes to men. They are really
not my cut of tea, though I have met some who are gentle and loving and have
shared my love and affection with them. If you like the rough around the edges
highlander warrior
type, let me
introduce you to my kennel
mate Regis.
Hello, I’m Regis,
a 6 year old Golden Retriever with a cup overflowing with love for you. I need
a home that has lots of love and good boundaries. I’m the type of guy who needs
to know you are in charge so I can relax and enjoy my place in the family. I
love the outdoors and would love to go tramping through the woods with one who
loves me and can keep a firm yet gentle hand on my leash. I love all the sights
and scents out in the field, parks and woods, and would love to come home to a
nice bed and some loving petting after a good walk with my person… Still
looking for a different type of canine? Well there is this Husky Shepherd mix
down the kennel run from me. Meet Thunder.
Yes, Thunder,
that’s me! I’m about 5 years old and really love children. I’m very versatile
. I have enough energy to keep up with the kids, but will quickly relax and lay
at your feet. I really, really love to jump and I can jump really high! I love
to run, climb and play all day long. I have lots of love to give and will offer
it first without any strings attached. I LOVE to please and will look at you
with my soulful eyes and offer you all that I am… Do you have a home for me??
If not for me, how about for my bud Hearo?
Hearo
is one special dog,
full of love and loyalty. He has a great heart and gives it all. Hearo is
going gray… he turned 11 this year. His people had to move so they brought him
back to Canine Helpers. Hearo is looking for a nice home with gentle loving
people to live his senior years with. He is in good shape, though like many of
you humans, he has a few allergies that need a little looking out for. Hearo is
such a good pal. I hope someone out there has a spot for him!
We
hope to hear from you all soon!
~
In Honor Of Loved Ones ~
Mrs. Irwin Gilmer Elaine Bialecki
Brett Fairhead
By: Vicki Mehr By: Margaret Fairhead
By: Margaret Fairhead
Jack Harf Lisa Harf
Rick and Georgia Lecksell
By: Margaret Fairhead By: Margaret Fairhead By:
Catherine Lecksell
Marion Underwood and Doreen Kish
In honor of their 22 years of dedicated service to Canine Helpers
By: Beverly Underwood
~
In Memory of Beloved Pets ~
All My Deceased Girls Buttons, Gina & Nickie
Molly
By: Edward & Sharon Gisel, Jr. By: Mary Bucciarelli
By: Ella Kraft
Phoebe
Ginger Nik
By: Barbara Wrobel & Sami By: Jane Rennick
By: Robert Nowakowski
Katie Wee Timmy
Shana KC, Ducat
of Emerald
By: Andrew Fortin Toby & Christie
By: Thomas Hogan
By:
Alice Shimer
Kutsu
Muffin
Putz
By: Suzanne Freeman By:
Dorothy Merrill
By: Anna McCollum
Cheri – Christie – Misty Lady
Molly
By: Dori Anderson
By: Judith Liedike By:
Sharon Kooken
Emily Zephyr, Marduk
Abbey
By: Virginia McKenzie and
Dodger By: The Kishes
By: Beverly Underwood
Kelli Behun
Harmony & Shuffles
By: Michael Keem, DVM
By: Catherine Lecksell
~
In Honor of Pets ~
Caesar & Chloe
Katie Wee Timmy of
Emerald Tigger
By: Edward & Sharon Gisel, Jr.
By: Thomas Hogan
By: Wilfred & Helen Smith
Tammy Faye, Woody
Bailey
Midnight & Cassie
By: John & Lori Girts By:
Shirley Richardson
By: The
Rev.
&
Mrs. David Weidman Adam & Hannah
Honey
By: Andrew Fortin