PJ Kelly rubs the therapy dog’s thick, white fur as he breezes through “Piglet Comes Home,” the book he’d picked to read that day.
The 8-year-old has always loved stories and enjoys finding new books at Barnes & Noble, but he had little confidence in his reading skills. His mother said he used to open a book, see all the words, and get intimidated.
Alex Cruse was living the life of a teenager – going to school, working at Taco Bell and hanging out with friends.
Over the summer, all of that changed. Alex came so close to dying that his mother almost can’t bear to talk about it. Now, he sits beside her at Riley Hospital for Children, meeting a therapy dog named Gus and relearning how to speak through a trach and swallow without choking.
We’re thrilled to announce that Paws & Think has been awarded a generous $10,000 grant from the Efroymson Family Fund through the Central Indiana Community Foundation!
“Kids and dogs working together — it’s a great combination of energy and enthusiasm, leading to positive results for members of both species. That’s the goal of the youth-canine program, led by nonprofit Paws & Think.”
A special kind of pet is getting in on Pride Month. Therapy animals are offering support for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth in a local transitional living program. Representatives say we all need to feel love and acceptance, and the pets have that mastered.
Paws & Think recently joined Pet Pals TV on WISH-TV with Host Patty Spitler! Our Paws to Heal Coordinator Lisa Gupton and pup Lulu were joined by Diane Aurand, who recently lost her therapy dog, Cali Bear.
