Just wanted to share Annie's recent accomplishment

[SS427]

Many of you who know Annie and I know that we have a therapy dog named Hollywood. She found him after her Jack Russell was run over by the meter reader on our hobby farm several years ago. This happened before I moved down to Illinois and since she lived alone at the time she decided this time to find herself a REALLY big dog. What she found was an adorable 26 lb 8 week old English Mastiff who now weighs a tad bit over 200 lbs. She has spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to train him for use as a therapy dog (and our accounts receivable clerk) and now takes him all over Springfield, IL and surrounding area to visit patients. He has made such a huge impact that he is now called upon many times a year to perform special visits such as a grief camp for children who have suffered a family loss, a home for the blind but most of his time is spent at the local hospital's hospice and physc wards working with the terminally ill or very troubled patients. Fortunately Drew (pSYCo) is not one of our patients. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

Occasionally and as time allows I will go on visits with her so I can see first hand the impact he and other therapy animals make with patients. Recently we visited the phsyc ward to witness this first hand. On one of these visits we were told that one of the patients has had virtually no contact with other people in three months nor has he spoken a word in that time and has kept isolated in his room. They brought him into our meeting room and of course would not even make eye contact. Within 10 minutes he was on the floor laying and hugging on the dog and actually talking to Hollywood. Everyone in the room teared up and the nurses and doctors could not believe what was happening. Since then he has made great strides and we have even visited him at his home where he is now back at. That one patient made everything worth the effort for the last 6 years.

Hollywood has gotten a lot of attention and when walking into the main lobby at the hospital the doctors and nurses start texting people to come down that he had arrived. Many even plan their days or lunches around our visits bringing Hollywood little snacks. We even get several doctors, nurses and even the hospital CEO that come to visit him in the lobby every time he comes. One day an ER surgeon came down and when I asked her why she came she said, &quot;people think our patients are the only ones that need some help. We occasionally need it too.&quot; That really hit home with me.

I do not normally brag but I am so proud of what Annie and Hollywood have done I just felt like sharing it. Yesterday we were surprised by a visit from the local WISC News 20 TV station who interviewed Annie and watched Hollywood work for about an hour. It aired later that night. Here is that clip.

http://www.wics.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_12465.shtml

[wheelhop]

Great story, thanks for sharing.

[mockingbird812]

<span style="font-size: 23pt"> <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif Outstanding Annie and Hollywood. Well done!!!!</span>

[WILMASBOYL78]

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[John]

.... That is great.... I bet they really enjoy seeing &quot;Hollywood&quot; &amp; Annie..

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Wow, great story.<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif

Well done. Giving back is what it's all about.<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

Ryan

[SOM2001SS]

Awesome! What a wonderful service you are providing! We need more great stories like this!!!

[markjohnson]

That's a fantastic story!

[m22mike]

Very neat stuff Annie.. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif..your awesome <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Mike

[BlackCherryLS6]

Great job Anne! You and Hollywood are definitely making a difference!!

[ORIGLS6]

&quot;Hollywood's Owner&quot; ?????

HA! We ALL know who really owns who! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Cool to see some recognition, but I know the real satisfaction comes from seeing the look on the faces of the patients &amp; staff.

You're doing a good thing Annie. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

[6pakdave]

WoW, you could saddle and ride him lol.He's a great looking dog. Well done mate,fantastic.

Dave

[jannes_z-28]

Thanks for sharing, dogs are really wonderful

[wannarun70]

After getting only 2hrs sleep last night, I got up at 4 this morning for work. I looked out the window and it was pouring, So you can guess I really didn't want to go in today. Sat down at the table for a quick bite to eat and opened up the lap top. I got to tell you, after watching the news clip (about 5 times with a big smile on my face) I finished breakfast, showered and left for work like it was sunny and 70. Its a far cry from being layed up in a hospital, but if it makes you smile and forget just even for a few, they've done their job. And they did for me.
That's a great thing Annie and Hollywood are doing. If it can get me to smile at 4 in the morning its got to be good. Keep up the good work and keep em smiling.. Mark

By the way I have two dogs of my own but at 4 in the morning they're snoring on the bed.

[69 Post Sedan]

Heart warming story Rick.....thanks for sharing.

Kurt

[PeteLeathersac]

Wow and amazing the difference one person (and one dog) can make in the world!
Kudos to Annie...and Hollywood!
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif

[Schonyenko2]

Never seen a Mastif used as a therapy dog before. Our local elementary school has an Irish setter, and it does a world of good for those kids. They even use the dog in the school programs.

Very cool. At the end of the day, it's not going to matter what you own, or how much money you have. It's what you've given back to help others that you'll be remembered for. Alot of folks are going to remember this.

[elonblock]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing.

[SS427]

Agreed Schony and that was one of the reasons we chose him. I started out with Impalas cuz nobody else collected them. Annie trained and rode Arab Stallions because they were not widely accepted as a dressage horse. That is usually the reaction we get when we try and solicit a new organization to do therapy work at because they do not see a Mastiff as being a therapy dog but they are in fact known as the Gentle Giants for a reason. During the interview Annie said this was our 'Paying it forward' gesture which took me and the interviewer by surprise. I had never looked at it that way before.

Anyone who has a dog or cat and even some other animal types (some places even accept horses!) should consider doing therapy work. It takes about a year to get the dog trained and costs a few hundred dollars but the rewards are priceless. We all love our animals so why not share them with others. Anyone interested, check out www.tdi-dog.org (http://www.tdi-dog.org)

[Bill Pritchard]

Outstanding story and <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/cool.gif dog, Rick &amp; Annie!

Unfortunately, the video clip doesn't work for me <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

[SS427]

Bill, I have contacted the TV station as I have heard from a couple of other people who can't download it either. They say that there is a flaw in their software that inhibits some from viewing it. I am trying to figure out how I can download it to my computer and then post it like a Photobucket video or YouTube. Since I am computer illiterate I have not figured it out yet. Anyone want to help? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[VintageMusclecar]

Outstanding story.

Outstanding people.

Outstanding doggie.

[Xplantdad]

Rick, Like I said on Team Chevelle...you and Annie rock!

I will see what I can do tomorrow morning to download that clip and share it!

[ZAPPER68]

Rick, that is fantastic, you must be so proud of them both..

[Xplantdad]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SS427</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bill, I have contacted the TV station as I have heard from a couple of other people who can't download it either. They say that there is a flaw in their software that inhibits some from viewing it. I am trying to figure out how I can download it to my computer and then post it like a Photobucket video or YouTube. Since I am computer illiterate I have not figured it out yet. Anyone want to help? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif </div></div>



Here...not the best quality....click on the picture... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/th_annieandhollywood_zps52279642.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/annieandhollywood_zps52279642.mp4)

[scuncio]

Cool.

[SS427]

Thanks Bruce!

[Bill Pritchard]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SS427</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks Bruce! </div></div>

x2...I was able to see it now!

[Xplantdad]

My pleasure!

[Shevelle]

Awesome article Rick. The world needs more people (and dogs) <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif like Annie and Hollywood!!

[Bill Rose]

Wow! I just found this thread Rick/been away a lot, and busy when we're home. I have a relative who does this, I've heard some remarkable stories. What a great way to give back.