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Blind therapy dag keeps them smiling One man who doesn’t speak has been known to smile and laugh when the dog visits. “I don't know who gets more out of it â€" Smiley, the residents or myse ,” she said. “There is no better feeling than when you help somebody else or enrich their life." Already, she has witnessed amazing responses fmm Participation House resiâ€" dents. Mrs. George lives in Stouffville with her husband, their lfi-month-old son Shep- herd and two border collies. She grew up in Markham and began volunteering with the Markham-Stoufl‘ville St John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program in May. Being part of a therapy program increas- es the bond between owner and dog, Mrs. George said. For four months, she and Smiley have been visiting Participation House, a Markham residential centre that provide services and supports, including social, recreational and educational programs for adults with dis- abilities. “He is an amazing dog. I wanted to share him with people," Mrs. George said. While guide dogs are trained from the time they are puppies, therapy dogs can be trained when they are older, according to Mrs. George. At the test. she was wearing flip flops and Smiley followed the sound of the shoes as well as her voice and smell. “We were in awe of how she had a rela- tionship with the dog. You never would have known he had a disability," said leslie Bull- ock, co-ordinator of the St. John Ambulance therapy dog program in Markham. “She was walking up and down the stairs, around Curves and he was just following her,” Ms Bullock said. “You just learn to adjust, move forward. He doesn't complain.” The seven-year-old golden retriever passed the St. John's Ambulance therapy dog test in May, a four-hour exam that also required references to prove Smiley is safe around people, especially children. WELLNESS: Stouffville retriever on stage at ACC with Dog Whisperer Joanne George's dog Smiley may have been born without eyes, but he has powers beyond sight. “You can tell he loves Smiley," Mrs. George, If Markham Stoufi‘ville Hospital could have 10 dogs visiting patients, they would, she said BY SIMONE JOSEPH sjoseph@yrmg. com Nurses and other staff alike gather to in Markham and Stoufl‘ville are lucky enough watch Smiley work. Mrs. George has noticed to receive visits from a therapy dog. residents so look forward to the visits that if There are many facilities that want to she comes at a difierent time than normal, have a therapy dog, she said. they will point to their watches disapprov- Need is especially great in retirement Residents who normally have to be moved using a hoist have been known to grab a ball when Smiley comes around, making move- ments staff have never seen from these resi- dents. 37, said. Joanne George (centre) helps Smiley, her blind therapy dog, pay a visit to Howard Thoms, a resident of Participation House, a residence for adults with disabilities. Smiley appeared Monday at the Air Canada Centre with the Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan. But Ms George has noticed few residences in Markham and Stoufl‘ville are lucky enough to receive visits from a therapy dog. As she signs in at the residence each week. she can hear the voices of residents already saying “Smiley, Smiley", in anticipation of his visit. ineg when she arrives. Go to msja.ca formore infonnaa'on on theStJohn‘s Ambulance melam dogpmgram. Her visits to Participation House won't be ending any time soon. She has made a promise to the residents. “As long as Smiley can walk, I will take him every week.” she said. Mrs George does private at-home dog training for people and their dogs. “ (Mr. Millan) has been my idol for years," Mrs. George said. “His methods work. I have rehabilitated unadoptable dogs using his methods,” she said. She is a dog trainer and had sent Mr. Millan a tape of herself, her son and Smiâ€" ley. The show had been asking people to send in tapes of their dogs with behavioural problems. While Smiley does not have any behavioural problems, he has a lot to teach an audience, she said. Mrs. George’s appearance on the show with Smiley was a highlight for her. Part of Mr. Millan’s philosophy is that dogs should not be treated like humans, being dressed up or Sleeping in human beds, Mrs. George said. heating dogs like humans can bring on behavioural problems. “Ifwe treat dogs aédogs, theywill respect us as humans,” Mrs. George said, repeating what she learned from Mr. Millan. “Everywhere we go, people are amazed by how happy he is," Mrs. George said, explain- ingdfisiswbyshenamedhimSmiley. “The difierence between a dog and a human is dogs don’t dwell on their disabili- ties. They just move forward and adapt." Mrs. George said. Smiley became somewhat of a celebrity this week. He appeared Monday in Cesar Millan’s (aka the Dog Whisperer) live show atmeAirCanadaOentIe,partofacross- country tour sharing his wisdom about dog behaviour and psychology. Smiley was éhdwcasea as an inspirational dog If Markham Stoul’fville Hospital could have 10 dogs visiting patients, they would, she said They now have two visiting one hour a week. “It truly does cheer people up,” Ms Bullock said. homes and libraries, which run reading pro- grams in which a dog will lie beside a child while he or she leads Ms Bullock has also noticed the shortage. “I get requests for dogs all the time," Ms Bullock said. “I just don’t have them." Demand also comes from nursing homes, hospitals and schools that want to run bite prevention programs~ “We shoUld’have a lot more dogs,” Ms Bullock said. ‘