As Ann Lambert and Frances Holmes reflect back on over 42 years of friendship, their shared passion to give back to the community through the work of Ottawa Therapy Dogs was a constant. From providing therapeutic support during visits as volunteers to maintaining the standards and practices of OTD as mentors and evaluators, Ann and Frances have been selflessly committing their time to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the organization. Frances Holmes—owner of The Training Hall dog training facility—recounted first meeting Ann Lambert when Ann’s daughter was signed up for her obedi ..read more

Thanks to the generous support of TELUS, Ottawa Therapy Dogs (OTD) will strengthen literacy outcomes in schools and libraries in the National Capital Region using specially trained therapy dog teams as part of the Reading Education Assistance Dogs® (R.E.A.D.®) program. A unique literacy initiative, this program improves reading and communication skills through animal-assisted therapy. Each week, volunteer handlers and their therapy dogs visit local classrooms as reading companions for reluctant and struggling readers. The results are compelling with a number of studies documenting significant ..read more

Written by Judy Beltzner Cedarview Animal Hospital is one of OTD's key supporters for 2018/19. As part of this new partnership, three talented writers - Judy Beltzner, Julianne Labreche and Karen Luker - have teamed up to produce some very inspiring stories about our 'good dogs doing GREAT work'.  This story has also been featured on Cedarview Animal Hospital's blog. When I was hospitalized as a child to have my tonsils and adenoids removed, I would never have expected to see a dog on my surgical ward – though I would have loved to! Now, patients and their families at many hospitals ..read more

Written by Judy Beltzner Cedarview Animal Hospital is one of OTD's key supporters for 2018/19. As part of this new partnership, three talented writers - Judy Beltzner, Julianne Labreche and Karen Luker - have teamed up to produce some very inspiring stories about our 'good dogs doing GREAT work'.  This story has also been featured on Cedarview Animal Hospital's blog. Late nights. Too much coffee. Cramming. Away from home for the first time. So much pressure! Anyone who has gone to university recognizes the causes and symptoms of students’ anxiety. Now there is a new way to help stude ..read more

Written by Julianne Labreche , OTD Associate Member Everyone needs a wise mentor when young, someone to smooth those rough edges and teach kindness by living it. Copain, the big black standard poodle that works every Monday morning as a therapy dog with ALS patients at The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre (TOHRC) had a mentor too. His name was Dylan, a big, friendly white standard poodle that lived with Michel Bourassa, his handler. As a young dog, just six months old, Copain had lots to learn when he moved into his forever home with Dylan and Michel. By then, Dylan was an experienced the ..read more

Written by Julianne Labreche Cedarview Animal Hospital is one of OTD's key supporters for 2018/19. As part of this new partnership, three talented writers - Judy Beltzner, Julianne Labreche and Karen Luker - have teamed up to produce some very inspiring stories about our 'good dogs doing GREAT work'.  This story has also been featured on Cedarview Animal Hospital's blog. According to one family member who stops by for a little visit with Tara, the aging Golden Retriever that visits with families each week at Manoir Ronald McDonald House in Ottawa, grey-whiskered dogs south of the bor ..read more

Written by Karen Luker Cedarview Animal Hospital is one of OTD's key supporters for 2018/19. As part of this new partnership, three talented writers - Judy Beltzner, Julianne Labreche and Karen Luker - have teamed up to produce some very inspiring stories about our 'good dogs doing GREAT work'.  After having worked as a teacher for 30 years, Bruce Patterson is saying a final goodbye to his Grade 1-2 students at Arklan Public School in Carleton Place. As retirement looms, he reflects on the multitude of memories he will take with him. According to Patterson, one of the highlights of h ..read more

Written by Julianne Labreche Cedarview Animal Hospital is one of OTD's key supporters for 2018/19. As part of this new partnership, three talented writers - Judy Beltzner, Julianne Labreche and Karen Luker - have teamed up to produce some very inspiring stories about our 'good dogs doing GREAT work'.  This story has also been featured on Cedarview Animal Hospital's blog. Kids on the autism spectrum are like colors in a rainbow. Depending on their abilities and their disabilities, every child is different.  Some may be intellectually brilliant but have limited social skills. Othe ..read more

Written by Judy Beltzner Cedarview Animal Hospital is one of OTD's key supporters for 2018/19. As part of this new partnership, three talented writers - Judy Beltzner, Julianne Labreche and Karen Luker - have teamed up to produce some very inspiring stories about our 'good dogs doing GREAT work'.  This story has also been featured on Cedarview Animal Hospital's blog. For those of us who learned to read with Dick, Jane and their adorable dog, Spot, reading and dogs have always had a positive association. But back then, the idea of encouraging children to read with dogs to improve thei ..read more

Written by Jenna Hobin “When we volunteer, I find that dogs are naturally drawn to people who need support the most. They bring smiles to the faces of those who may be feeling lonely and down.” As a handler for her two dogs, Grits and Beans, Melanie Mohammed first got acquainted with Ottawa Therapy Dogs in 2011 at an event for the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign. A new owner to a vibrant young border terrier who was a puppy at the time, Melanie recalls visiting Beth McKibbin and her majestic golden retriever to inquire about Grits’ potential to one day be a therapy dog hims ..read more