The comfort of a furry body

A team of golden retrievers made an 800-mile journey from the Chicago area to Newtown, Conn., over the weekend to comfort those affected by the recent school massacre.

Lutheran Church Charities, K-9 Parish Comfort Dogs, deployed about 10 of the canines Saturday evening for residents who want to pet them while they talk or pray with the dog's handler, said Tim Hetzner, president of the Addison-based organization.

“Dogs are non-judgmental. They are loving. They are accepting of anyone,” Hetzner said. “It creates the atmosphere for people to share.”

When the charities' dogs are not responding to a national tragedy, they will often visit people in hospitals, nursing homes and parks. Each dog carries a business card with its name, Facebook page, twitter account and email so those that meet the canine can keep in touch.

Read more - Chicago Tribune

Service horses in Illinois

Illinois lawmakers sent a bill to the state's governor that would allow miniature horses to be used as service animals.

If passed, the small horses, which stand no higher than 32in, would have to be allowed in schools, stores, restaurants, and other public places – anywhere an assistance dog can go.

In most cases, horses of any sort are still considered livestock, and are not warranted the same privileges as guide dogs, such as entering public places.

Source

Miniature horses -- pet, livestock or service animal?

Heard of seeing-eye dogs? There's an alternative. Miniature horses, while commonly kept on farms, can also be used as "service" animals -- to help the blind and disabled get around. A federal rule requiring businesses to let them inside has stirred concern of lawsuits. The dispute doesn't distract from their cuteness, though.

Cheryle King, who is blind, grooms Rosie at their home near Ellensburg, Wash. Although Rosie is potty-trained, the small horse wears underwear to protect against any unwanted accidents.

Source

Book Review: a dog named Slugger

A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill, is a true story about a woman who, at the height of her Cerebral Palsy symptoms, turned to a service dog organization where she was matched with Slugger, a highly intelligent, devoted and loving Yellow Labrador. The book is heart-warming and inspiring, but it also promotes a very worthy cause--the Service Dog Industry. Leigh’s proceeds from the book will go to the nonprofit St. Francis Service Dogs organization. On a personal note - - I've had a copy of this book for a few months, and had it by my bedside, knowing that I would soon have lots of time to do nothing but reading. I recently had surgery for total knee replacement on my left knee! While what I went through was nowhere close to Leigh's needs and the restrictions which go along with Cerebral Palsy, but living in a four-level house made me very quickly understand how nice a four-legged helper would be. It never failed that whatever I needed was in the wrong part of the house. Opening doors holding onto a walker in front of me, or while holding a cane in one hand and other supplies in the other, really brought home to me what a huge help Slugger's presence must have been to Leigh. I really enjoyed getting to know Leigh by reading her book, and fell in love with the playful, but hardworking Slugger, and his protege Kenda. My only criticism is that there weren't enough pictures! I would have loved to see more photos of these new friends. If you'd like to know more, visit the website: Leigh Brill or Facebook page, A Dog Named Slugger.

Found on the Web

Taming the Wild Researchers in Siberia have managed to breed foxes as tame as dogs. It's a feat that might unlock the genetics of violent behavior. New law: Service animal can only be dog or mini-horse New federal guidelines issued March 15 by the U.S. Department of Justice for the Americans with Disabilities Act limit service animals to dogs and housebroken miniature horses only. Top 10 Miniature Animals On the last day of 2010, a miniature panda cow was born on a Colorado farm, the product of years of crossbreeding to create one of 24 known cows with panda-like coloring. TIME takes a look at other animals in miniature form. Human disease and our animal cousins We hear a lot about animal diseases that make the jump to humans—swine flu, for instance. But this transfer goes the other way, too.