born to serve

​Rutlands Harley (r.i.p.)
Alane Pritchard  USA and her Certified Delta Therapy Dog - A Tribute                         

For a number of years, Alane gave generously of her time  taking her Delta Certified Therapy Dog "HARLEY"  to nursing homes to raise the spirits of sick and elderly folk in California. 
Alane and her huge golden gentle giant also participated together in the R.E.A.D. program in schools when the program was still in its infancy. 
Alane's kind and loving heart shines through in her story.  She Writes -

Harley became a registered therapy dog with Delta Society in 2008 and it’s quite obvious that this was what he was meant to do!  We started out by going to one of the nursing homes that also had an Alzheimer’s Unit. 
While visiting in the Alzheimer’s Unit one day, Harley approached a woman in a wheelchair and sat down very close to her. I asked her if she wanted to pet Harley and received a blank stare from her, so I gently placed her hand on Harley’s back.  She immediately started petting him and soon afterwards, started talking to him. 
One of the nurses on duty later told me that this was the first time this woman had spoken since arriving there.  It brought tears to my eyes and reinforced my belief about what wonderful animals these dogs are and how much hard work and dedication is put into creating this truly amazing breed! 

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Harley was exactly what we ordered when we submitted our application.  We waited over a year for him but he was well worth the wait.  Harley and I were involved in the READ (Reading Education Assistance Dog) program at one of the local elementary schools.  We had an entire third grade class that took turns reading to him.  This program was developed to help those children that have reading disabilities or are just too shy to read aloud to someone.  When they read to the dogs, they are not judged or corrected.  They just get that unconditional love and attention from these wonderful dogs. ​

From the READ program a letter writing campaign evolved.  A mailbox was placed with the dog’s pictures around it and the entire school started writing letters to the dogs. 
Harley, alone, has at least 50 letters that were written to him that he had to answer. 
He was invited to lunch, told how cuddly and cute he was, asked questions about where he came from, his family etc.  Great idea in getting the children to learn how to write, but kind of backfired on us as it was lots of work answering all those letters as though Harley, himself wrote them!  
The smiles I saw on their faces were amazing

Harley and I also visited  the Developmentally Disabled classroom.  When we walked in, the smiles and excitement that I would see on their faces was amazing.  Harley, could also sense their love for him.  He'd just wag his tail, and give them all big, slurpy kisses and then roll over on his back while they loved on him.  He was ’their reward for good behavior and finishing their schoolwork.  
Thank you, again, Beverley, for the many years of hard work and dedication to this wonderful amazing breed.  Alane

Born to Serve BEPPIE