In February Dad and Mom took me to a place for a Therapy Dog Certification test.  I had to be really good.  A lady would tell Mom or Dad what we should do.  I had to walk on a leash and stop and sit.  They brought another dog near me and I was supposed to ignore him and I did.  People yelled and dropped things trying to scare me but I was with either Mom or Dad so I was not scared.  For me it was really easy but Mom and Dad kept telling me I had done such a good job and they gave me treats when we were done.  I am now a certified by Pet Partners as a “Therapy Dog.”  I can go in to hospitals, nursing homes and hospices to help people feel better.

We have ID badges!  Here are our official photos!

Mom and Maddy Pet Partner’s ID Photo

Dad and Maddy Pet Partner ID Photo

Mom and Dad signed us up to work with an organization called Gabriel’s Angels  http://www.gabrielsangels.org/  Gabriel’s Angel’s mission is to deliver healing pet therapy to at-risk children, nurturing their emotional development and enhancing the quality of their lives forever.

We volunteer at New Pathways for Youth  http://www.phoenixyouthatrisk.org/

We go to Pathways on Thursday afternoons.  We hang out with 2 groups of about 20 kids for an hour or so.  Mom and Dad talk to the kids, tell stories and teach them things.  I just hang out and let the kids pet me and hug me.  One visit everyone had a treat for me that was a really good day but the hugs and pets at the best!  A couple of weeks ago the children listened to my heart beat with a stethoscope and Mom and Dad talked with them about what hearts do and how mine is a lot like theirs.

I get so much love when I am with the kids at Pathways.

They drew pictures of me!

The kids are on summer break and we are going on vacation to Oregon but I can’t wait until August so we can back and seeing my friends.