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mesbkmmmbebbmsbil 14 economist suntribune health care saturday june 8 2002 srlddki 1100 combed cotton for natural softness crew tshirt cobpany markville centre markham 905 5136594 trinity common brampton- 9054585336 briogecam centre cambridge 519 6249022 colossus centre woodbrioge- 905 2646369 egunton town centre scarborough 416 7500499 therapy dogs bring joy to york region patients bywaiyinchan special i had a friendly dog that likes to be petted and i didnt pet the dog enough this simple memory explains why york region resi dent linda willis took up volun teering three years ago in the st john ambulance therapy dog program with her dogs molly and baillie willis one of four co ordinators throughout the region visits seniors resi dences and nursing homes bringing joy to the elderly therapy dogs also cheer up hos pital patients but seniors are not the only ones benefiting from st john ambulance the york region branch con sists of more than 300 volun teers who organize training programs and provide commu nity services the therapy dog program started in 1992 has 150 dogs and is one of the organizations highestprofile activities vivian hould coordinator for the newmarket division said people like to hold them pet them give them treats and try to get them to do tricks ms hould said one woman kept her date with a therapy dog even when her daughter flew in from vancouver for a visit the woman said i have to see my dog ms hould st john ambulances 10-year- old therapy dog program is one of its most popular initia tives a total of 150 dogs visit seniors and hospital patients laughed she ranked her dog over her daughter petting and stroking pets is believed to have calming effect decreasing blood pressure and relieving tension one woman told me that after petting the dog she forgot her leg was hurting said ms willis besides therapy dogs st john ambulance offers a variety of training including first aid and cpr for businesses adults and teens in fact its the courses along with donations and sales of firstaid kits that help pay the nonprofit organizations bills the babysitting course is for teens between 11 and 14 they are taught to change diapers give baths and resolve con flicts explained training co ordinator diana snape they also receive basic first aid training all this aside st john ambulance is still best known for having emergency staff at sports entertainment political and cultural events each month the branch receives 15 to 30 requests to staff such gatherings the richmond hill winter carnival is one of the public functions staffed by st john ambulance personnel they are important pres ence said carnival chairperson elizabeth mccartney we have youngsters snow- boarding during the carnival parents are relieved to know they have quick medical sup port should injuries occur orihybrir looking for your kids now you can find them for less than 1day fairview mall 0lw sspssp valid from june 7 to juno 1 6 2002 or until quantities last cannot be combined with any other offer 1 7este2 richmoridljl 5815 yonge st 1800 shepraid ave e 1118 rrich avew 1291 kennedyrd 9350 yongv si iowest pearce 6236 416 2608600 4164926800 4166639200 4167629655 9057704433 9057317318 41 4cvatdlhermrtaotagsmphooottoiwv 01dta ant avahato vh mamrkajpoa coujxira mu a uure roaan att twok o0r appte onary i acmcn on 2 yew rjcixarobaaodona60nnwyavtofootrxid10 owloadrnrfilrxmwtbabod2scrtporr calrqbeamtoqprkawhancumrmautiecrfeettoc bftemywbibtecttoceaapprotaccou ortychargatrw paid in aawmvifl appear on tiarior djmans warning cha and aryaortfgvtt kolsmiritotrdabmiy apply auaiatfaorty at p tamamaybelmaatftofmarmmla1atwtlmoiaafe stnosmaa9flawandauadunalfcrboflaff