Welcome to the June 2019 Roxy Reporter Newsletter!
Summer is almost here and it's the perfect time to sit back, relax, and get lost in a great book! If you need reading suggestions for dog lovers, visit our list of favorites at Summer Reading Is Fun.
A Note From Our President
Over half of our organization gathered together on Saturday, May 4 for our annual Roxy group photo! These are the faces of Roxy Therapy Dogs - the faces that comfort and support local children every single day. As the saying goes, "it takes a village...", and our village is absolutely extraordinary!! Thank you so much for your continued support, which enables us to help countless children in our community.
Theo Goes On An Egg Hunt
Article Submitted By Roxy Volunteer, Joanne Loeffler
Theo
Every month, Theo and I visit the CB South Multiple Disabilities class. Since the kids can't read to Theo, the teachers and aides always try to prepare something fun and interactive to do when Theo visits. For our spring visit, we had an Easter Egg Hunt!
Each kid went around with Theo to find some eggs. Inside each egg was a dog treat that they could then feed to Theo or a hand-written note from one of the Autistic Support kids. The notes said things like "You're a Rockstar" or "We love you".
Next month when we go they are going to work together to make home made dog treats to share with Theo.
A Special Present For Gus
Long time Roxy Therapy Dogs volunteer, Bev Seltzer, reflects on her time with Mrs. Bullard and the great students in her class at Gayman Elementary.
Gus in his new stroller
"Oh boy where to start. First, I want to say Mrs Bullard is an amazing teacher!! Amy has been wonderful with Gus and her support of the Roxy program. As time has gone by and Gus has gotten older, Mrs. Bullard noticed the years taking a toll on Gus. He was having a hard time on the slippery floors walking to class as he is now 11 years old. So to help Gus and also so that we could get to class quicker, I would carry him down to class. He LOVES going to school so much! It is a true highlight of his day!! By the time I would get to class, I was out of breath from carrying my baby who wanted more than anything to be in class with the children!!!!
So, the students went and did chores at home to raise money to buy Gus a stroller so it would be easier for him to get to their class!! This class is a very special one for Gus and I, and we will cherish their kindness forever!!!!"
- Bev Seltzer and Gus
Read the full story on the Central Bucks School District website at Gayman Students Pay It Forward For A Special Friend.
Bev and Gus with Mrs. Bullard’s awesome class
Spotlight on Bob Peck and Marshall
Marshall
Bob and Marshall have been servicing the elementary schools for the last 4 years. They have supported Learning Support for 4th & 5th grades at Buckingham Elementary and the Autistic Support Kindergarten, 4th & 5th grades at Kutz Elementary.
Bob explains that supporting the special programs requires flexibility for the team. It is not just a reading program. While reading is done, the key is communications. The dog becomes the vehicle for communications. Marshall was PenPals with the students at Kutz last year. He wrote weekly letters to them and they wrote replies which they read to him as part of their communications program. Developing a relationship with the teacher so that their curriculum is supported is critical. Marshall has a different role at each classroom he supports.
A memorable moment that Bob experienced was with a young boy who had voluntary mutism, (spoke at home, not at school) and he learned to read to Marshall. His motivation was that Marshall would sit on his lap on the floor for a hug if the boy spoke loud enough for Bob to hear him when he read.
The benefits that Bob has seen in his experience over the past few years are the increased communication that the children display when having the opportunity to interact with a therapy dog. Marshall has also become part of their school program. 5th graders wrote a history based play and included a part for Marshall last year (he played a dog :) )
Most recently Bob and Marshall have expanded their role to support the pilot program at Central Bucks East High School which has been a great success! Thanks Bob and Marshall for all of your great work and support!
Scarlett Visits The Wax Museum
Scarlett listening to Elliot as Walt Disney at the Wax Museum
Article Submitted By Kate Hayden, Teacher at Buckingham Elementary School
Buckingham Third graders culminate their Social Studies and Reading units about Heroes with a living Wax Museum. Students selected a hero, researched about the person, and created a variety of products about their life.
Scarlett was a favorite visitor of this year’s Wax Museum because she had listened to students practice early versions of their speeches. They were so proud to have Scarlett and Mrs. Donnelly watch them shine!
Roxy Around Town
Bonnie Jean
YMCA Healthy Kids Day at the Central Bucks YMCA in Doylestown, PA on Saturday, April 13 was a great event! Bonnie Jean and Bauer showed guests that Roxy cares about the health and wellness of children.
Bauer
Delaware Valley University Activities Days (A-Day) on Sunday, April 28 was a fun day where many college students and members of the surrounding areas came to pet our dogs and learn about our fabulous Roxy programs. Keeper, Darla and Dizzy enjoyed all the love!
Mental Health Day on May 19 at George W. Bush Park was a big success with kids of all ages reading to Roxy dogs. Thanks to our awesome tailwaggers; Cooper, Bonnie Jean, Darla, Becca, Murphy and Mo!
At the Tohickon Middle School Book Fair on May 23, students dropped in to the library to visit with Roxy teams - some even stopped in a few times so they could visit with different dogs! Several students had Roxy dogs in their elementary schools and could even remember the dogs’ name!
Welcome New Roxy Teams
Please join us in welcoming our newest teams who support our mission of bringing comfort to children, enhancing the experience of learning, and enriching the lives of our canine and human volunteers.
Jeff Davis & Bella (pictured below left)
Clare Quinlan & Darla (pictured below middle)
Karen Wells & Becca (pictured below right)
To learn more about all of Roxy's dogs, visit Meet Our Dogs.
Upcoming Roxy Events
Delaware Valley University Summer Camp in the Allman Building on campus from 1 - 2 pm on June 25. This is a visit with 7-9 year old children so they can learn about our dogs and the benefits of animal therapy.
Doylestown At Dusk is a classic car show on July 20 from 2 - 9 pm on the streets of Doylestown. The show offers a unique experience for car owners and admirers with live music, local restaurants, Roxy dogs and much more - all free to the public!
Click on the event name above for specific event details or visit Events.
In Memoriam
With heavy hearts we mourn the loss of two of our faithful friends. We are forever grateful to their handlers for sharing them with Roxy and the children in our community. They will be missed.
If you had the pleasure of meeting Star, then you know what a magical dog he was. He will be greatly missed by his Roxy family and by all who knew and loved him.
To read a tribute from his owner/handler, Lois DiMarzio, visit In Memory of Star.
Callie passed away after 7 years as a Roxy dog. If you knew Callie, then you knew what a sweet spirit she was. She will be missed by her Roxy family and by all of the children whose lives she touched.
To read a tribute from her owner/handler, Amy Rose, visit In Memory of Callie.
Celebrate Summer With Be Like Bud
Reading aloud is a wonderful way of engaging with young children and creates the foundation for success at school and in life. Share the joy of reading with your loved ones today by ordering a copy of Be Like Bud, available online!
Children Depend On Your Donations To Continue Roxy Therapy Dog Visits
Roxy™ Therapy Dogs' programs provide an irreplaceable and dependable support system for children in our community. Make a tax-deductible donation online today!
If you prefer to donate by check, please make it out to "Roxy Therapy Dogs" and mail to: P.O. Box 136, Danboro, PA 18916.
© 2018 Roxy Therapy Dogs. All rights reserved.