2004 Beyond Limits^™ Award Winners

Delta’s Pet Partners Beyond Limits Awards are given annually to recognize the companion animals that enrich the lives of the people they touch as well as the professionals who make these programs in healthcare possible. The Service Animal Award recognizes animals that are specially trained to help people with disabilities overcome barriers and achieve greater independence. Through these awards Delta Society hopes to bring a greater awareness of the power of the human–animal bond to the world.

Pet Partners Affiliate

Intermountain Therapy Animals Salt Lake City, UT

Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA) is one of Delta Society’s largest affiliates with over 250 registered Pet Partners. The organization celebrated its 11th anniversary in September 2004. ITA provides animal-assisted activities/therapy (AAA/T) in over 90 facilities across the state of Utah including hospitals, care centers, youth detention residential facilities, schools and libraries. They developed an original application of AAA/AAT work with their

R.E.A.D. Program (Reading Education Assistance Dogs), a program aims to improve children’s literacy skills through a unique twist on a classic concept: reading aloud to a dog. Introduced in 1999 in the Salt Lake City library, what started as the four week “Dog Day Afternoons” program has blossomed into an ongoing reading education program offered in schools, libraries, and bookstores across the country. Interest in the program increases each time the media spotlight shines on one of these programs. This program has had a major impact in this field. ITA board member Sandi Martin, a nurse and former ICU manager, witnessed the benefits of therapy animals in her work, “It wasn’t really a conscious effort. I wondered what would happen. Then we combined mundane things — reading and animals — in a different way and the result is something unique and extraordinary.”

Pet Partners Facility

Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital San Antonio, TX

The facility has been supporting the human–animal bond with its on-going program, Therapeutic Paws at Warm Springs (TheraPAWS), since 1993. Starting with just two Pet Partners teams, the program has grown to 31 teams who visit weekly and sometimes daily. The teams at Warm Springs practice both Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) and Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) and work with staff rehabilitation therapists to assist and motivate patients. Warm Springs has promoted the program through brochures and publications, and is committed to continuing incorporating animals into its methods for providing quality healthcare to its patients. Rev. Deana Voges, Chaplain, Ret. Speaks of the benefits of the program to the patients, recalling one specific incident. “The woman who had had a stroke and had refused to even try to speak. She placed her hand on the collie’s head, tried to kiss her and then very clearly said, ‘Oh my dear you are just what I have wanted.’ ”

Healthcare Professionals

Sharon Hughes Rafferty, LMSW-ACP, & Rue and Taz Houston, TX

Sharon Rafferty is a psychotherapist who has introduced her two dogs, Taz, a Affenpincher mix, and Rue, a black Pug, as co-therapists in her practice. The dogs have different personalities and talents. Taz is a funny-looking dog who exudes happiness, friendliness and fun. Rue is very calm, loves to cuddle, and has the ability to make people want to be close to him. They alternate days depending on which dog will be the best choice for the patients on the schedule. Taz with his sense of fun has been incorporated into the playroom for play therapy. One little boy‘s grandmother was going into the hospital for surgery and he was quite sad and anxious about it. He and Taz became a doctor in the playroom operating on a large stuffed bear. Taz but his paws on table and the two of them started the operation. I was amazed as this boy and Taz worked through his fears about the surgery. Without Taz’s presence this process would never have happened. Rafferty had been working with a nine-year-old boy who was developmentally delayed and had poor social skills. During a session the boy kept blowing in Rue’s face and the dog kept moving away. This behavior kept going on until Rue sat up and gave a big Pug snort letting the boy know he had had enough. The boy looked at Sharon and said “I get it now.” When asked what he meant, he explained how he annoys others at school and they either hit him or walk away. He finally understood how others felt. This breakthrough opened the doors to learning appropriate social skills that helped this boy start making friends. In one session Rue taught this boy what Rafferty had been working months to achieve.

Lisa Trower & Hoop and Dunk Salt Lake City, UT

Lisa Towner is a physical therapist with a specialty in rehabilitation who works at Primary Children’s Medical Center. Lisa and her Golden Retrievers Dunk and Hoop have had a positive influence on the children in the rehabilitation unit as Pet Partners utilizing AAT. Many of the patients involved in major accidents are often traumatized and have a difficult time interacting with staff. Therapy dogs create a great non-threatening way for children to interact. The mother of one patient reported that her daughter had smiled for the first time since the accident weeks ago after a visit from Hoop. Another child who had a brain injury that affected his mobility was able to sit and play catch with Dunk. Lisa is able to help her patients reach their therapy goals through playing with Dunk and Hoop. One patient’s parent remarked, “My son’s eyes just lit up when he was working with Hoop. He wanted to try even harder to do his therapy when Hoop was there with him. Lisa knew just what to have her dog do to help my son work his right side!”

Pet Partners Individual Teams

Trisha Csire and Gus, Nancy Kucik and Laser, Melannie Layne and Mike, Kathy McNulty and Kiyoshi, and Deborah Slocum and Bandit have been named national winners of Delta Society’s Beyond Limits Awards for 2004 Service and Therapy Animals in the individual Pet Partners category. This group of three dogs, a cat and a llama make up a dream team for animal-assisted activities/therapy.

Trisha Csire & Gus Lebanon, IN

Trisha Csire and Gus are in their third year of therapy animal work. They have worked together in a shelter for victims or domestic violence, after school programs, hospitals, nursing homes and juvenile detention facilities. Csire has found the greatest satisfaction in teaching peace to youth through visits to the Delaware Youth Center, a juvenile detention facility. Meeting Gus is making a difference in these young people’s lives. Gus comforts and motivates. The most tangible measurement of Gus’ affect on the kids was a 50 percent reduction in privilege losses from behavior problems on the days of his visits. “This Pet Partner team has the unique ability to put students from all backgrounds at ease and engaged in exercises that teach them to increased respect for themselves and the world around them.” — Charlie Wiles, Executive Director, Peace Learning Center

Nancy Kucik & Laser Pelham, AL

Laser is an incredible feline who works calmly and confidently even among a room full of dogs. One of Lasers most significant visits was with an individual in hospice. Laser, Kucik and Mrs. P. developed a wonderful relationship. Mrs. P. was always happy to see Laser, and always remembered his name. Laser would curl up on her bed, always careful to lie where she could easily reach him. Mrs. P. told Kucik stories about the cat she and her husband had owned years before, and soon she was telling Kucik and Laser about her family, her childhood, basically the story of her life. As they spoke, her hands never left Laser—she petted him and fussed over him and he obviously was a spot of sunshine in her day. After three months of visits Kucik got a call that Mrs. P. was taking a turn for the worst. Laser and Kucik came to visit what was to be their last. Mrs. P was slipping in and out of consciousness but she realized Laser was there, her eyes lit up and she whispered Laser. The three spent a half-hour visiting quietly and when they left Mrs. P looked at Laser and said “Thank you.” Two days later Mrs. P died. Kucik says Laser has made her a better person. Because of him she has overcome her shyness and become active in her community by volunteering with him. Laser has taught her that an angry or sad individual can often be made happy just by taking the time to provide a little unconditional love.

Melannie Layne & Mike Biirmingham, AL

Mike is an Australian Shepherd who was almost destroyed at birth because he is deaf. Melanie Layne worked with him training him through sign language. The two of them became Pet Partners and work with Delta’s affiliate Hand-in-Paw visiting Children’s Hospital, schools, youth intervention programs and nursing homes. Mike has had an impact on many of the individuals he visits. Mike met 19-year-old Heather Wilson by accident one evening at Children’s Hospital. Heather has spent much of her life in hospitals because of her disabilities and was in the hospital for a MRI that took four hours. At the end of the test Heather was crying and anxious. A Hand-in-Paw member noticed Heather’s mom signing to her daughter and told her about Mike the deaf dog who was in the lobby with his handler. Arrangements were made for Mike and Heather to meet. When Heather realized Mike could understand sign language her anxiety and stress faded away. She started laughing and clapping as she moved closer to Mike so she could communicate with him. Mike and Heather have gone on to become friends and see each other frequently. Heather keeps his photograph on her bulletin board at home. Heather’s mom says, “I feel like the first time we met Mike it was a gift from God.” Being a Pet Partner with Mike has helped Layne grow in many ways. She says she has seen miracles and made smiles. Encouraged youth, impacted lives and so much more. Being part of Delta and Hand-in-Paw has helped her take a life changing walk.

Kathy McNulty & Kiyoshi, Park City, UT

Kathy McNutly and Kiyoshi have been Pet Partners since 1995. On April 5, 2003, this prince of a therapy animal died. In his time as a Pet Partner, Kiyoshi had joyfully visited treatment centers, hospitals, schools, libraries and homes. He touched hundreds of people and made a difference in the lives of all who have known him. Kiyoshi was one of the pioneer animals in the R.E.A.D. program. Teachers all saw improvement in reading scores, confidence, self-esteem, class participation, hygiene, and class attendance. One young boy who spent his days giving everyone the run-around was first in line to read to Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi and Kathy’s also work with children who have been abused at Children’s Residential Treatment Center has been amazing. One young boy was able to tell Kiyoshi things his therapist had not been able to get him to discuss. As a result made he made great improvement went on to a permanent home but continued to correspond with Kiyoshi.

Deborah Slocum & Bandit, Central Point, OR

Deborah Slocum and Bandit are not your ordinary Pet Partners team, for Bandit is a llama. Bandit, who sports fanciful costumes that include hats, quilted jackets and painted toenails, spreads his magic at a variety of facilities from senior centers and nursing homes to schools. Because of his exotic nature, he can often reach people who were not receptive to other forms of therapy, or even other therapy animals. Bandit is known for easing pain and fear and bringing joy and laughter wherever he goes—even when not officially on duty. At the 2002 Grand National Championship Llama Show in Lincoln, NE, Bandit was drawn to a little girl struggling with a walker to get around. From Russia, the girl did not speak much English but was clearly delighted by Bandit’s attention. Since it was obvious to Slocum that Bandit wanted to be with the girl, she let them walk together for nearly two hours. Slocum recalls the girl’s reaction: “She stopped and showed people how she was able to walk with him and her smile was so bright it lit up the whole arena…it was obvious that the two of them were ‘talking’ and having such a great time. Words will never do justice to the work he does.”

Service Dog Teams

Leana L. Beasley and mobility assistance/seizure alert service dog Bronson and Kyle Walpole and hearing service dog Max have been named winners of Delta Society’s national 2004 Beyond Limits™ Awards for Service Animals of the Year.

Leana L. Beasley & Bronson Richland, WA

By the age of two, Bronson, a Rottweiler/German Shepard mix, had been surrendered to the Tacoma Humane Society on two separate occasions. He was given one more chance when he was tested and selected to enter the service dog program at the Prison Pet Partners in Gig Harbor, WA. After a fall down a flight of stairs that left Leana Beasley with multiple disabilities including seizures, her doctor suggested she apply for a service dog to help with her cope with the activities of daily life. At their first meeting Bronson’s big brown eyes gave Beasley a spark of hope. As mobility training began Bronson exhibited another talent—warning Beasley of approaching seizures. Though he had a rough start in life, Bronson easily took to service dog training and has been a loving and compassionate friend to Beasley. As Leana’s health has worsened over the years, Bronson has added respiratory/cardiac alert and response to his already outstanding repertoire of skills. “I’m back to making a difference in my community and state, none of which would have been possible without Bronson.” Bronson and Beasley are the perfect match as a service dog team.

Kyle Walpole & Max Evergreen, CO

Kyle Walpole began having hearing difficulties in 1998 and was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease. After seeing a television show that showcased the health benefits of pets. Kyle acquired Max, a German Shorthair, to be his pet. Another television program on hearing dogs inspired Kyle to train Max as his hearing dog. Using guidelines from Assistance Dogs International, Kyle worked with Max, first doing basic obedience and then hearing and balance work. Taking to hearing work naturally, Max has gone on to becoming an outstanding hearing dog and a great assistant in Kyle’s work as a middle school teacher, helping students learn compassion, commitment and responsibility. Max also takes part in Kyle’s many activities including kayaking, hiking, skiing and biking. In 2002 Max and Kyle were the first service dog team to climb Long’s Peak in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. “Through my experiences with Max, I have learned that disabilities are all a bout adapting to new situations and finding creative solutions.” Kyle and Max are a truly outstanding service dog team.