American Spaniel Club Inc. - Home of the Cocker Spaniel

SKIPPER

SECOND CHANCES

Former Cocker Spaniel Adoption Center Rescue Inducted into the Georgia Animal Hall of Fame!

Story submitted by Sue Nelson, ASC Therapy Committee Chair
Edited by Anna Lee McKennon, ASCF-ASC Rescue Advisory Committee

Skipper's Story:


Near the end of February 2004, Skipper was found in a dumpster, enclosed in a sealed trash bag with her legs tied together, covered head to toe with sarcoptic mange. Someone heard her cries and whimpering and took her to the shelter in Dothan, Alabama. A telephone call from Renee Skipper at the Dothan Shelter was made to Joanne Halvorson, a volunteer of the Cocker Spaniel Adoption Center, Inc., a national rescue group for Cocker Spaniels. At approximately 4 months of age, Skipper weighted a mere 8 pounds. She was weak and close to death from the mange and lack of nutrition and proper care.

Skipper was nursed back to health by the vets and staff at Beaver Crossing Animal Hospital, led by Dr. Michael Smith. She thrived in foster care with Joanne Halvorson, who ultimately adopted her in April 2004. Joanne saw something special in this little dog and enrolled her in basic obedience classes at about 7 months of age. She excelled in training and at approximately 9 months of age and 2 weeks shy of completing basic obedience, Skipper passed the Canine Good Citizen test.

Because she was not yet a year old, Skipper had to wait until December 2004 to take the test to become a registered therapy dog with Therapy Dogs International (TDI). She passed the Canine Good Citizen test again, coupled with the therapy test on December 18, 2004, and officially became a registered therapy dog and member of TDI in February 2005. She now holds the title of "TDIA" and is certified as a therapy dog.

Whenever she dons her “Therapy Dog” vest, it's as though she knows she's "going to work." The residents at the Lilburn Rehabilitation Center look forward to her visits twice a month. Her name is posted on their monthly calendar so they know the date and time she will be coming. The same holds true for Life Care of Lawrenceville. She also visits retirement homes, a skilled nursing facility, and nursing homes. It has brought new life to many of the residents because they cannot have pets. At Harmony Elementary School in Buford, Georgia, Skipper participated in their reading program, where first and second graders with reading disabilities get to read to the dogs to help in improving their reading skills.

Everyone who meets Skipper falls in love with her. She was a diamond in the rough; and with love, attention, patience, and training has developed into a true gem. On November 6, 2005 Skipper was honored as an inductee into the Georgia Animal Hall of Fame under the category of Companion as she has benefited both Joanne and the community.

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