CKOC Therapeutic Evaluation and Certification – by Creatures and Kids

When: Saturday, October 22, 2011, starting at 10:00 am
Where: PETCO, 324 South Bryant, Edmond, OK 73034

Don’t miss out! CKI will evaluate and certify animal therapeutic teams. All evaluation times will be scheduled, so please contact us by filling out our on-line volunteer form and enter “October 22, 2011 Certification” in the Comments section.

A special thank you to PETCO for providing the venue.

Creatures and Kids, Inc. has united with the Psychiatric Service Dog Society and Integris Health to present a workshop connecting clinicians, professors, teachers, and students to experts with research and resources in the use and impact of animals in the therapeutic world.

Learn the many ways to incorporate animals toward improving human quality of life.  Nursing CME hours are being applied for by Integris Health.  To learn more, click on the links below.

• Workshop flyer
• Registration form
• Integris Press Release

Dr. Mosca has been making a big impact in Oklahoma with his therapy animals.

First was “Boz” — a beautiful boxer from Tulsa Boxer Rescue. Sadly, Boz passed away in July, 2009.

Still grieving over the loss of his much-loved Boz, Dr. Mosca relented and welcomed a new Boxer named “Spike” into his home. Spike comes from Red Dirt Boxer Rescue. They quickly became fast friends.

Dr. Mosca immediately started Spike’s training and together they passed their therapy team certification on November 7th. Spike goes to Dr Mosca’s office each day and the team visits patients three days a week at Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation.

Most Tuesdays
6:30 – 7:30 pm

The first and third Tuesday evening each month is a special time at the Edmond Library.  Children enhance their reading skills by reading to certified therapy dogs.  The program is fun for both children and animals!

Sessions last approximately 15-20 minutes.

In the photo, Bailey enjoys his time with Elexis.

Click here to learn more.

Two Spot.  The little horse that could… perform Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT).  Two Spot is a miniature horse.  Not a pony, but a miniature horse.  She stands only 26 inches tall, weighs only 130 lbs, and is the apple of Debbie’s eye.

Debbie knew Two Spot when she was only a baby and often held her in her lap the first 6 months of her life.

Two Spot’s size and Debbie’s gentle guidance made her a natural for PAT.  Debbie routinely takes the little horse to local nursing homes – to the delight of their residents.  Two Spot has special permission to walk right in and visit with those who come out of their rooms to see her.

We all know that laughter is good medicine, but did you know the simple act of reaching out to stroke soft fur or using a brush to groom an animal can lower blood pressure, improve range of motion and strengthen weak muscles.

Sometimes it even helps sooth a child who is sad or helps teach the importance of humane treatment toward animals.

It gives us great pleasure to announce that Debbie and Two Spot will be volunteering their time and services on behalf of Creatures And Kids.  They bring another dimension to the CKI therapy teams and prove therapy animals don’t have to be dogs!  They can even be horses!

“As a child, I spent many hours in the barn laying on my horse’s back while my dad milked our cow and did other chores. It was our special time together.

Dad has been gone for years and I have missed him like crazy.  Since Two Spot has come into my life, I feel a calm security that Dad and I are spending time together again.  It is a joy that I thought had been lost.

Now, if Two Spot can help other people feel any kind of joy, it will add to my pleasure in life.”

- Debbie L

Dogtopia & Creatures and Kids, Inc sponsored two great workshops by Kathy Cascade, International TTouch Instructor. Kathy demonstrated various TTouch techniques, how to use the right tools to gently train your pet and the importance of buiilding confidence in your animal. Thank you Kathy!

Creatures And Kids attended the annual Septemberfest at the Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion.  We had a tent and the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful people.  And, of course, some of our therapy dogs were there.

Creatures And Kids, Inc.  participated in the Bethany Balloon Fest – summer 2003 .  AARP invited CKI to demonstrate dog obedience.

Cindy and her therapy dog, Jake showed everyone how well an obedient dog behaves.  Jake greeted many of the Balloon Fest attendees, especially the children!

When:     August 8th, 7:00 pm Demo by CKI

Where:    Wiley Post airport, NW 50th & Council

G.R.E.A.T. Summer Camp!

Once again Creatures And Kids, Inc. participated in the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) Summer Camp.

The Beckham County 4-H Kids were helpers, and the Elk City Fire Dept. shared this day with us.

Last year’s partnership with G.R.E.A.T. proved to be successful and rewarding.

Information about G.R.E.A.T. can be found at their website www.atf.treas.gov/great

When:     June 25th, CKI will do a full day

Where:    Lincoln Teen Center, Elk City

June 7, 2003 – Home Depot’s Child Safety Day

Creatures and Kids participated in this safety event for children.  Home Depot had several activities available.

CKI handed out free coloring books, teaching about safely interacting with dogs, and pamphlets titled “Saving the whole family; disaster preparedness series.”  Cindy displayed the emergency kit she assembled based on the pamphlet.

Therapy dogs, Jake and Bailey, came to interact with the crowd.  They stayed busy greeting the crowd, especially the children.

Home Depot had a booth for parents to photograph and fingerprint their child for identification records.

Tables were set up for the children to assemble wooden boxes, have their face painted, and a cake walk for the sweet tooth of both children and adults.

The fire department brought a fire truck – always exciting for the youngsters in the crowd.

The OKC Mounted Patrol was a big hit, too!  Seems all the kids wanted to pet the horse.

Thanks to all who attended and/or participated in the April 26th Creatures Educate event. Attendance was good, the weather was great, and several dogs and their owners were tested for various types of certification.

Several breeds and a good number of “All American” dogs attended.  Even beautiful rabbits and yearling alpacas where on hand for petting and educational information.

The American Red Cross demonstrated how to give the Heimlich maneuver to your dog if it is choking and how to perform canine and feline CPR.