About
Our Dogs and Us
All dogs are temperament tested before being accepted into the program. Our standards are strict in order to preserve our excellent reputation. The dogs must be calm and confident in a crowded, institutional setting. During the test, we attempt to simulate situations which are likely to arise a nursing home or hospital environment. Successful dogs and their handlers attend an orientation session before accompanying an experienced volunteer for their initial visit to their assigned facility where they are assessed on their ability to provide safe, therapeutic care.
Our mandate is to bring unconditional love of our dogs to our clients in long-term care, hospital, retirement residences and in VON Day Centres.
Our History and Honouring Our Founder, Jim Newell
For the benefit of our new members, the Jim Newell Award of Merit is named after Jim Newell, the founder of our therapy dog organization. Peterborough was the site of the very first therapy dog organization in Canada established in 1992. Jim promoted the concept to St. John’s Ambulance who allowed the organization to form under their operational umbrella. Jim travelled across Canada promoting the benefits of therapy dogs and helped to start therapy dog groups in other communities. Because of our pride in Jim’s endeavours, each year our directors select and present an award in his name to an outstanding member whose contribution to our organization and the community is above and beyond their weekly visits.
The Board has decided that this year we would have co recipients of the Jim Newell Award of Merit for 2025. This year’s award goes to Francena Cheung and Chantal McColloch.
