Our Pets
Ninja vom Barendika, C.G.C, TDIA
 I thought I would tell you about a success story.
After reading about your Therapy Dog International program in your newsletter last year about Children Reading With Dogs, I thought that might be right up "our alley" for myself , my wife JoAnne and our German Shepherd Dog, Ninja. We had both been going to a local hospital for a year, but it just didn't seem like a good "fit" for us. We wanted to find something that would “click” for all of us and the people we would help, more fully.
We went to Lookout Mountain Elementary School in Phoenix, AZ, (the school our children attended many years ago) and contacted the principal, Mr. Leonard Sweeney, whom to our surprise, was totally enthusiastic at the prospect of Children Reading with Dogs, and immediately put us in contact with Mrs. Robin Crow who is a reading specialist, and Mrs. Chris Hood, who is a school counselor.
We started the program the very next week with Ninja visiting 2 classes, one being children in first grade with reading problems, the second class being children in first and second grades with emotional problems.
Ninja, the children, and we, were all very nervous the first day, not knowing what to expect. The children and I sat in a chair, with Ninja between us. They read, while we listened. They stumbled over the words, some reading so quietly you could barely hear them. We helped when asked, but mostly listened.
Well, this is now more than 3 years later and we have gone faithfully every other Tuesday to both classes. In fact, we wouldn't miss a class unless an earth shattering event occurred.
Although we’re not trained professionals, the improvement we've noticed in the kids is phenomenal. The kids practice during those two weeks reading a book of their choice, and by the time we come on “our” Thursday, they can read out loud with confidence, with very few errors, whatever book they chose. They take the time to sound out carefully words that are unfamiliar or a bit difficult. I found the children picking books that are more challenging as the school year has progressed.
Ninja, who was unsure what to expect, now sits patiently or lies down with the children and lets them play with her feet, pet her gently, lick their face if they stumble on a word, kisses them gently on the arm or leg when they are finished. She doesn't mind if they kick their feet with nervous anticipation, or if they put their hand down her ear to exclaim, "Wow, I didn't know my hand could go down her ear that far!!"
The teachers are incredible, and have an amazing ability and attitude about incorporating the program into their curriculum. The kids now make up and write their own stories to read to Ninja, sometimes keep a diary about her visits, write letters and make drawings about her which they often generously give to us when we visit. They have even performed a play for the benefit of their friend, Ninja. Each class, as a whole, has written their own story about Ninja and Angel.
The program has been so rewarding not only for the children who we help, but when we leave our classes for the day, we just feel plain good about ourselves for the rest of the day. It's the kind of feeling you SHOULD get from volunteering and helping people. It makes us both happy.
I suppose I could go on and on with the rewards of this program, but I'll leave you saying if anyone is thinking about trying Children Reading with Dogs, go ahead. Hopefully, you will have a lifetime of good memories of helping children who, in turn, will hopefully have a lifetime of good memories of you and your special dog.
Sincerely,
Barry Reifman AKA Dr. Stink
and Ninja vom Barendika, C.G.C, TDI PS See the YouTube video 'Ninja the Dog Speed Drawing'
Whoopy Vom WildsteigerLand, C.G.C., TDI
 Whoopy Vom WildsteigerLand, C.G.C., TDI came to join our family from one of the most
prestigious kennels in Germany. Epos Vom WildsteigerLand was one of our best friends and most loyal companions we ever had the privilege to own. Looking for the same great temperament and beauty, we acquired Whoopy as a two year old.
Since joining us, Whoopy has completed her AKC Canine Good Citizenship title and achieved her Therapy Dog status from Therapy Dog International. Whoopy is currently working on getting her TDIA title.
Like Ninja, she is in the Children Reading with Dogs program at Lookout Mountain School
in Phoenix, AZ and has reading classes of her very own. She also visits Hospice Patients for Odyssey Healthcare.
Although she can be high spirited at play time, she calms down when she goes to work and offers encouragement to students and patients alike.
Whoopy is also a mascot at our warehouse and has a special place in her heart for Cliff, our amazing warehouse manager.
PS See the YouTube video 'Whoopy the Dog Speed Drawing'
Yahtzee, C.G.C.
 Yahtzee CGC came to us unexpectedly while dressed as a pair of dice (hence, the name Yahtzee!!) at a Halloween Charity Ball for Make a Difference Foundation.
Maricopa County Animal Care and Control had 2 puppies up for silent auction. You’ll never guess who came home with the little ball of fur?
You can’t blame us, it was for a good cause.
Yahtzee is a mix of Chinese Crested (his mom) and Papillon? Chihuahua? Pomeranian?
Well, your guess is as good as ours. Anyway, he’s adorable and looks like a little fox.
As you can see by his picture, Yahtzee enjoys a little bit of cold weather, hiking on the mountain, agility, and especially jumping!
He loves to go for a good “pull”…or walk depending on who is with him. His favorite form of exercise is yapping!!
Weighing in at 10 lbs, he’s a heavy-weight when he hangs with the big dogs!!
Weezer
 Weezer, came to us as a little kitten of just 8 weeks old. Weezer happened to be at a CFA Cat Show where we were selling Odorzout. “Just one look, was all it took” and he became part of our family.
An American Shorthair Silver Tabby, Weezer grew to be a handsome boy. He was once judged the Best American Shorthair in the Southwest at a Cat Fanciers Association show by a Judge from Argentina. To us, he was Weezer, our pet. As we are responsible pet owners, Weezer was neutered shortly after winning his title.
Little did we know what was brewing on the other side of the world. One day we got a call from Argentina, the Cat Fanciers Association Judge, calling to see if we were going to breed Weezer soon as he was the best American Shorthair he had seen in his 17 years of judging cats. OOPS. Needless to say, we hope not to run into him anytime soon. If only he had called a few weeks earlier!
Weezer has lived a grand life with us, bossing around all the various animals we had and now have. He is the king of the house when it comes to the animals. He loves his cat playground, eating cat grass, and especially, his treats. His only downfall is he is addicted to Kitty Caviar, a thin sliced real fish treat.
Weezer can testify personally on the wonders of Odorzout Cat Litter Additive and has never missed a day in the litter box.
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