After a five week training workshop 8 dogs and nine handlers completed their Therapy Dog training and Graduated from Happy Tails.
             
                   This couldn't have been done if not for the efforts of many people. First we have to thank the handlers and their dogs. And what a                                        
                    great group they are.
                         
                   Next comes the much appreciated use of the Citrus County Fire Training Center in Lecanto, Fl.  For this we thank Assistant Fire                                            
                    Chief/PIO Patty Jefferson for allowing us to use the large classroom.  This made our training so much easier.
                   We also want to thank Crown Court Assisted Living facility in Inverness for allowing us to bring the class to their facility for visits                                         
                    with the residents.  The Crown Court  assisted living facility is located  at 109 N. Seminole Ave (opposite the Government Center                                           
                     Inverness, Fl.  (352)-344-5555

After our visits we went to STUMPKNOCKERS restaurant for refreshments and we were greeted and welcomed by the manager and staff.

So many people all around us willing to help us complete our mission which is to train handlers & dogs to be able to venture out into the communities and visit
folks who are in need of a happy and friendly handler and his/her warm and friendly dog. With their unselfish help we are able to complete our mission
over and over again throughout the year.   
So many people who are unable to have a dog these days remember the days when they had a dog and our dogs bring them a lot of joy "One Wag at a Time."
I must thank my lovely wife Gale for all her support and assistance throughout the years and to Ms Susan Schrader, Animal Control Officer for Citrus County. Ms.
Schrader is also an Obedience dog trainer and wishes to become a Therapy Dog Tester/Observer with Therapy Dogs Inc of Wyoming.  
You were a big help Susan and we all thank you very much.  Great Job!

And last but not least we all thank Ms. Tina Franzen-Andes, City of Bushnell, Fl  Library Manager for her many years of support to the training of Therapy Dogs &
Handlers.  Without you Tina there wouldn't be a HappyTails Therapy Dog program.
From the bottom of our hearts we Thank You many times over.

Congratulations Team - A job well done...

Left to right:  Cathy & Sailor, Jill & Teddy, Scot & Tabitha, Sandra & Rascal,
Bill & Janet & Penny, Ellen & Joshua, Ellen & Heidi and Frances & Magnum
Gale & Susan getting ready.
People arriving
John gives Joshua a paw massage...
Citrus County Asst Fire Chief Patty Jefferson
and her beautiful Mother and Ms. Pattie Amon,
Interim Director of Citrus County Animal Services
watch the Graduation ceremony.
Bill  & Janet watch on as Penny
catches some Zzzzzz's
Sandra & Rascal walk next to a walker.
Ellen & Heidi demonstrate  the proper
safe way of visiting a person in a
wheelchair.
Sharing stories are we?    Ha
Jodi, Anne & Levi
Gale & Susan present Jill & Teddy with their Diploma.   Good job guys...
Tabitha receives her Diploma. Maybe she will share it with Scot.
Sailor, wake up!  It is time to Graduate.    Good job Cathy
Frances & Magnum receive their Diploma.  Magnum is looking for doggy cookies.
Ellen & Heidi receive their Diploma.   Way to go Ellen.
Bill & Janet and Penny receive their Diploma's.
No no, I don't want any Graduate Hat on my head!   NOOOOOO...   
Rascal settled down and he and Sandra received their Diploma.   LOL
Joshua and Ellen receive their Diploma.
Great Job Joshua.  Thanks Ellen for caring.
Our lovely 14 year old therapy dog
handler Jodi and Sodapop.
Jodi's dog Yellar couldn't be with us today.
Ellen & Joshua
Frances & Magnum
Gale & Sodapop greet Ellen & Joshua.
Joshua lost a rear leg years ago but
moves about easily.
Sodapop & Joshua became good friends...


       Happy Tails Therapy Dogs - Citrus County, Fl
             Graduation photos on August 2009