ALL ABOUT NEW BRUNSWICK

MEET THE TEAMS

Representing New Brunswick

BOB CLINCH & MADI

Volunteer Since 2011 From Bartar Settlement, NB

When Madi was about 9 months old Bob thought that she would make a great Therapy Dog and found the SJA program. 

Bob and Madi began visiting a local nursing home and later at the Charlotte County Hospital. In 2015 they were evaluated for specific needs and started visiting Milltown Elementary School. One of the first students they visited was a boy in grade 3 who needed help with his spelling. He and Madi would curl up on the floor in the library to do his spelling tests. They worked with him every week that year. Fast forward to 2019, the boy was in Middle School and Bob and Madi were invited to go there for Wellness Week.

About 20 students entered the classroom and among those students was the young man from years before. Out of all the students in the room, Madi went directly over to him, sat down, and lifted her paw as if to say, "Hello My Friend". The smile that came over his face lit up the whole room. There was no doubt that Madi remembered her buddy and he was so very proud that out of all the other kids in the room, he was the one Madi went to.

Bob and Madi's wanderings around town remind them how well-known Madi is. Often at their local Farmer's Market kids will call out Madi's name and come and see her, or one of the market vendors would slip Madi a treat because she had visited her mother in the nursing home. Madi is a bit of a local celebrity.

Bob has done quite a bit of volunteering over the years, but by far, being Madi's driver is the most rewarding activity he’s ever done. People often ask him what kind of training is required to be a Therapy Dog. He tells them that while service dogs are highly trained, Therapy Dogs are born. They come in all shapes, sizes, and breeds but the one thing they all have in common is that they were born to be Therapy Dogs.

Thank you, Bob & Madi, for sharing your story!

DON AND JOAN FILLMORE & SOPHIE, SOPHIE EDELWEISS, AMY, AND SPOOKY!

Volunteer Since 2008 From Quispamsis, NB

Don and Joan entered the program with their dog, Sophie. They have had 4 dogs in the therapy dog program over their many years of volunteering! They did this because one of their fathers was in a nursing home for many years. When visiting their Dad, they noticed that some residents did not have any family or friends visiting. They could only imagine how lonely the residents must have felt. They were already heavily involved with training dogs for obedience so they thought it would be nice to join the Therapy Dog Program and give those residents the opportunity to have special visits from the dogs!

A memory that stands out most to them was seeing the expressions on the residents' faces and the appreciation that they have for the dogs. That was a good sign to know that they were always looking forward to the next visit. 

Don and Joan shared that the program impacted their lives by showing them how significant the role dogs can play in a person's life, even if it's just a weekly visit. And for the dogs, they were well aware of where they were going when Don and Joan pulled out their Therapy Dog scarves.

They realized how appreciated they were when they were informed that Sophie would be featured in the Horizon Star newsletter. They were so proud that they were able to contribute to their community. In addition to that, the dogs were recognized by the town of Quispamsis for volunteers of the year at Kingsway Nursing Home. 

Thank you, Don, Joan, Sophie, Sophie Edelweiss, Amy, & Spooky, for sharing your story. 

MARY BUTLER, HAPPY & LITTLE JOHN

Volunteers Since 2005 From Prince William, NB

Mary entered Canada as a visitor with the intent to immigrate. Because of this, she was not allowed to work, but still wanted to be actively involved in my new community. She started volunteering with St. John Ambulance and learned about the Therapy Dog program. It wasn't long before she and Happy, her first Therapy Dog, were visiting seniors in Newfoundland. They continued to work together after moving to New Brunswick until he passed away. Then came Little John. He had the soothing eyes, spirit, and demeanor of a Therapy Dog. They volunteered at the Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation for seven years, with visits to libraries, women's shelters, and university campuses during exams.

A memory that stands out for Mary is that Little John always had a way with people. They met a young boy who suffered from extensive and severe seizures. He was recovering from surgery at the rehab center and as it turns out, dogs had been a trigger for seizures his whole life. Little John was his first positive introduction to dogs. Not only did the boy become very comfortable with Little John, but he ended up creating a bond with him. Years later, they had the privilege of seeing him again. He now had a dog of his own but remembered Little John as his first dog friend!

Mary shared that Little John recently passed away. In a world where email and social media are abundant and attention spans and reactions are typically short, she received countless messages, phone calls, cards, etc. that included stories of how Little John had touched someone's life.

It is obviously hard to maintain weekly volunteerism through moving provinces, having two dogs, multiple host facilities, changing jobs, and family and life circumstances. Through all of that, the Therapy Dog program has had a positive and lasting impact on her personally. It was her introduction to Canada and has been a significant part of her experience and adult life. Her sincere appreciation goes out to each and every person whom she created this community with.

Thank you, Mary, Happy & Little John, for sharing your story!