2011
Club Activities
To view pictures and read stories about past GLPWDC events, click on these links:
Annual Meeting & Election of New Officers
Ann Arbor, Michigan
October 23, 2011
This year we had a "Portuguese Theme" and learned about the heritage of Portugal while sampling foods with Portuguese flair! For picture and event recap - click HERE.
Licensed Water Trial
Traverse City, Michigan
August 20-21, 2011
The final water event (trial) of the year is over, and I feel that all four of our water events were a success due to the participation and hard work of the committees and volunteers.
I want to thank Trial Secretary Barb Ames and both Barb and Jim for once again hosting a fantastic beach party; also Cathy Winkler (Trial Chair), Robin Burmeister (Chief Steward) and Bev and Chip Ironside for Hospitality. We had a wonderful judge (Mary-Kay Schroeder) and with everyone working together, even with a full entry, we finished at 3:45---in plenty of time to get ready for the party!
Respectfully submitted,
Vicki Robinson
Licensed Water Trial
Camp Lael
July 2-3, 2011
The first water trial of the season, held at Camp Lael last weekend, was a great success. The weather was beautiful, the food fantastic, and many dog/handler teams earned titles.
I would especially like to thank Chair Stan Liebaert, Trial Secretary Kim Hanson, and our wonderful epicurean masters-Scott Lenz and David Swank- fellow GLPWDC members who volunteered to provide all the meals, working long hours the entire weekend.
Of course, no water trial could run smoothly without the many volunteers helping with set up, stewarding, rowing and clean up at trial's end--thank you all!
Now on to Camp Greilick in August---let's do it again.
Vicki Robinson---Water Activities Chair
"Share the PWD Love" - Therapy Dog Seminar
May 14, 2011
Presenters:
Jerry Nordblom, Therapaws, Ann Arbor, MI
Jerry Nordblom, Therapaws, Ann Arbor, MI Sharon Lindau, Agility Angels, Toledo, OHThis event was held at the Arboroads Farm Training Facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Ronda Ryan, Stan & Melissa Liebaert, Betsy Hodges and Stacey Dimmer arrived bright and early to setup for our presenters and attendees to share stories and provide information about the variety of canine-assisted therapy opportunities in our Great Lakes region.
At 9:30, we began our morning with a short GLPWDC General Meeting.
Next, our first presenters, Jerry Nordblom and Cori (therapy dog), from Therapaws, opened the event. Cori was very proud to be there in uniform, while Jerry told about Cori’s experiences as a therapy dog at UM Health System. (Cori also demonstrated he was particularly fond of the banana nut bread on hand for the attendees.) Sue Fisher (founder of Therapaws) and Lana Berry followed Jerry and Cori with their own stories about Therapaws, the volunteers, and the rewards of being a part of this organization. With the help of a couple of our attendee PWDs, Sue demonstrated the personalities of different ‘perspective’ therapy dogs.
Sharon Lindau, a GLPWDC member, showed us videos from Agility Angels and the success they have with autistic children and agility. The audience was so moved by her stories and videos, you could have heard a pin drop during her portion. Even the PWDs in attendance were mesmerized and quiet.
After a quick lunch, a panel of volunteers presented us the opportunity to hear their experiences as therapy dog volunteers. Club panel members, Mary Herr and Roseanne Cherkinsky, told us about their PWD therapy dogs and how they visit pre-school special needs children and health care facilities.
Lastly, Terrilynne Lymburner, Founder and Director of Education and Training from West Michigan Therapy Dogs, spoke about their outstanding program. Terrilynne had her service PWD with her and also has a therapy PWD. The attendees had anxiously waited all morning to hear Terrilynne tell about her PWDs. Her information about her program and about her PWDs exceeded everyone’s expectations. We were all so moved and excited; ready to get started!
Every presenter was consistent in saying the most rewarding part of therapy dog work is what the volunteer gets from it. With each visit, they come away with another rewarding experience.
By 2:00, the final questions were wrapping up and the attendees were motivated to begin their own training with their PWD! Everyone expressed their gratitude and the value of them attending! Even the presenters were surprised at how much they learned from the other presenters!
Thank you to everyone who helped to make this event a success; the presenters were the stars! And, as always, much gratitude to those attendees who stayed to lend a hand packing up!
Respectfully Submitted,
Ronda Ryan
Chairperson
Comments from Attendees of the Therapy Dog Seminar:
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the TD meeting. I learned a lot and really enjoyed hearing the very touching stories from all the speakers.
Good Job to all involved.
Vera Arnold
Let me also send a very big thank you for a terrific seminar. It was extremely informative. I value the time, the knowledge and the stories of the presenters.
Thank you for your efforts in bringing this opportunity to us.
Sue Travis
A big thanks you here too. We loved seeing everyone and are VERY motivated to get going on our therapy dogs. Would love to start something with agility and autistic kids here. You just never know!!! Thanks again I know these events take a lot of work.
Sincerely,
Scott, Debbie, Hudson, and Reggie Totten
I want to say thank you for the great and incredibly informative seminar. A job VERY WELL DONE! I am really motivated (hopefully Bento and Gustavo are, too) to find some training/certifications in the thumb area.
Stacey Dimmer
Thanks to all. I loved it lots and learned a ton!
Mary Herr
Just a short note to personally say THANK YOU for hosting the meeting/pet therapy event. It was fantastic and we really want to begin some training with Brody. It was very informative and interesting!
Thank you so much!
Linda, Bob and Brody
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