Welcome to the March 2019 Roxy Reporter Newsletter!
Join Roxy in celebrating Spring and Read Across America in March!
Did You Know…
Roxy™ Therapy Dogs is an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit organization which focuses on making a difference in the lives of ALL children. Our trained and certified therapy dogs deliver self-esteem, relief from anxiety and fear, and a sense of well-being. To a child who feels safe and relaxed, learning is accessible, and both physical and emotional healing are accelerated.
In 2018, Roxy was very busy and we look forward to continuing to grow in 2019!
Did you know that Roxy...
Offers 5 Programs
Visits 23 Locations
Has 79 Roxy Teams
Has 105 Volunteers
Donated 6,729 Total Hours in 2018 (up 8% from 2017)
Roxy teams make special connections every day throughout the Central Bucks community. We could not be successful without your support. Thank you!
Visit our website to learn more about Roxy and how you can make special connections with children and Roxy in 2019!
Stay tuned for Roxy's 2018 Annual Report later in March. The news and stories about what our community, teachers, volunteers, dogs and kids did last year will amaze you!
Lisa and Piper
The Bridge Valley Honorary Trailblazer Award
Article Submitted By Roxy Volunteer, Lisa Pasterchik
Piper and I were recently recognized for our work with Roxy Therapy Dogs at Bridge Valley Elementary where we received their Honorary Trailblazer Award. I don’t think they realize how honored we feel to be welcomed by such an awesome group of staff, teachers and kids.
This is our first year with Roxy so I wasn’t sure what to expect. We visit 3 classes on Thursdays and that is the best day of the week! We read with kids in kindergarten, 4th grade and 6th grade. Piper gets so excited when she sees her Roxy bandana. She even knows her way to her classes.
The kids have gone from being a little bit shy about reading to waiting in line patiently for their turn to pet or read to Piper. We have formed bonds. I watch in amazement as they grow and their interest in reading develops. The teachers tell me that the kids look forward to our visits and some choose to use their rewards to be our escorts.
On our first day we met a little girl in kindergarten, and she said she didn’t know why we were there because she didn’t know how to read. I reminded her that we come to school to help her practice. Each week she practiced and practiced. She just read her first complete book to Piper and she was so proud of herself! We look forward to many more first books and memories with Roxy!
My Life As A ROXY Dog
Article Submitted By Roxy Volunteer, Bob Peck
Hi, my name is Marshall. This has been a very exciting school year for me. I have many jobs with Roxy!
I have been participating in a pilot program at Central Bucks East. I visit 18 autistic support students. The excitement is that I am trying new things with the students. They are still reading to me, but I also do “tricks” for them. Some of the students were very shy interacting with me in the beginning, but now they are enjoying “training Marshall”. Also, at the end of class, a small group of the students walk me around the school. We always go with one of the aides, and the students take turns holding my leash as we tour the halls.
Another part of my fun school year is that I am also visiting an autistic kindergarten class at Kutz Elementary. The students share their compositions about their weekends with me, read to me, and then enjoy their snack time with me. I get to watch and hope for crumbs, but I really don’t get any snacks :(
I also visit 4th and a 5th grade Learning Support classes at Buckingham Elementary. I have been learning about tall tails, oops I mean tales, about Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed and John Henry.
For Halloween, I wore a “prison inmate” costume to my classes at Kutz for Halloween. They have beanbag chairs, I love to lay on them while listening to the readers. I sure do LOVE my life as a ROXY dog!
Welcome To The Roxy Board
Karen Langley
Please welcome Karen Langley to the Roxy Board of Directors. Karen is the Director of Volunteer Services at Doylestown Hospital where she manages all aspects of the Volunteer Program with over 900 Volunteers in 80 areas of the health system.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of her position is managing the Animal Assisted Activity Program which has grown to a team of over 25 teams in the past five years including a partnership with Roxy Therapy Dogs. Karen has lived in Bucks County for 20 years. She has two sons and an adorable rescue Papillion named Dixie.
We are excited to have her on the Roxy board!
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.
Sue Bulsza & Sunna
Sharon Fleck & Mo
Phyllis Mikolaj & Sydney
Mary Alice Loeffler & Murphy
Kathleen Kehan & Cooper
Mary Alice Loeffler & Nakoma
To learn more about all of Roxy's dogs, visit Meet Our Dogs.
Upcoming Roxy Events
CB East Annual Mini-Thon Fundraiser to beat childhood cancer on Friday, April 5 from 4-6 pm.
Delaware Valley University Activities Days (A-Day) is a 3-day event starting April 26 and running through April 28. Roxy participates on Sunday from 10 am - 6 pm.
Bark For Life Of Bensalem sponsored by the American Cancer Society is on Saturday, May 18 from 10 am -2 pm at Neshaminy State Park.
Click on the event name above for specific event details or visit Events.
In Memoriam
The Original Roxy
With heavy hearts we mourn the loss of our original faithful friend and pioneer, Roxy, who comforted countless children in the Central Bucks School District, Bucks County Courthouse, Pedia Manor, and numerous other places. Roxy received many awards and accolades over the years.
We are forever grateful to her handler, Diane, for founding Roxy Therapy Dogs and truly wish to carry on Roxy's legacy with honor and dignity.
To read a tribute to Roxy, visit In Memory of the Original Roxy.
Celebrate Spring 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. Celebrate Spring and join millions of children across the country to honor Dr. Seuss's birthday as part of Read Across America.
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.