Contact Ruth                  Contact Bear
I would like to introduce you to "Bear" my certified therapy dog that goes to hospitals, nursing homes and schools to entertain and visit people. Bear is a 4 year old Chihuahua that rides a Harley Davidson ... it's a remote control motorcycle. Bear is involved in Rainbow Therapy Dogs in Alliance, Ohio, a program that visits nursing homes and hospitals. It is a chapter of Therapy Dogs International. He is also involved in the Ohio Reads Program in the Marlington Local School district. He goes to Lexington Elementary School where children will read to Bear. He will lay there and listen to the children read. It seems to relax them and they look forward to seeing him each week. He became their Ohio Reads Mascot at their school. He was at our local Library this summer for several sessions for children to read to him also.

He was the Mascot for The Winners Choice Outreach this year, a program that challenges today's youth to make wise choices and to live life with a purpose.

Bear has also been involved in the Alliance Community Hospital's "Paws and Reflect" program where each week he goes to visit patients. Bear is quite a little show stopper as I have trained him to ride a remote control Harley Davidson motorcycle. He won a national award through their Planetree Organization in October of 2004. He recieved the Spirit and Caring award and was named "Therapy Animal of the Year."

I lost my only child while he served in the Navy in 2002. The loss of my child took a piece of my heart that I thought would never heal. After my son passed away, I saw this little remote control motorcycle in a store and thought, "I am going to teach Bear to ride." Bear already visited in a Harley coat, cap and sunglasses. It took four months and a lot of motivation, patience and laughs. When the shoe was on the other foot I saw how therapeutic this was. Bear is truly a therapy dog. He has not only given me the strength to continue on with my life after my great loss, but has united me with hundreds of new friends. It is truly rewarding to watch peoples faces light up when they see Bear ride up to them.

To this day Bear has entertained many people. Bear won an award from the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association in August of 2004 as "Outstanding Therapy Animal". He was one of the three top therapy animals in Ohio. He also was asked to perform at the Sports Show at the I-X Center in March in Cleveland, Ohio. He will be in a booth to help support local charity at the I-X Center.

Bear was invited to appear on the Montel Williams Show in New York, for "Newstories, Strange but True". It was aired October 8th, 2004 and January, 14th 2005.

Although Bear is only 5 1/2 pounds, he has earned more than his weight in gold, bringing smiles and laughter to people, including myself. Bear has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Pet Therapy is beneficial not only for patients but for the staff also. Bear has made sure that I live life to the fullest and has given his unconditoinal love to others and myself.



Home page photos courtesy of Paul Wikowski
To buy photos of Bear, visit Paul Wikowski's Gallery

Email: ryansmum76@yahoo.com
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