Judy McFadden's Therapy Dog Story Wins in Angel Animal Network Contest

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Dogs and the Women Who Love Them

Henderson, NV (PRWEB) July 27, 2010

Author Judy McFadden wrote a contest-winning story using experiences from her book, “Life with McDuff: Lessons Learned from a Therapy Dog,” to tell the world about her nine-year journey with her extraordinary Scottish terrier therapy dog. She motivates and encourages dog lovers, especially seniors, retirees and baby boomers, to volunteer in therapy dog and animal assisted reading (AAR) programs. Through her book, she connects with animal lovers all over the world who experience a spiritual connection and receive healing and unconditional love from their angel animals.

As a certified Therapy Dogs International volunteer, Judy accompanied her remarkable Scottish terrier on his mission to bring comfort and joy. She witnessed and wrote in her book about the astonishing impact an animal can have on hospital patients, severely disabled individuals, and school children struggling with debilitating reading difficulties.

•     Five young adults described in the Las Vegas Review-Journal as having the most severe mental and physical disabilities in the state of Nevada responded to McDuff in amazing ways in the Opportunity Village Project PRIDE Program.
•     A chubby fifth grader with reading difficulties and low self-esteem went from a D average to the honor roll after reading to McDuff at a library for twelve weeks in the Reading with Rover program.

Judy and her Scottish terrier, McDuff, appeared in 2002 on KVBC-TV Channel 3 News in Las Vegas and on the front page of the Anthem View newspaper in Henderson, Nevada, in recognitions of McDuff’s outstanding therapy dog work.

Judy speaks to audiences to promote awareness of the benefits of volunteering in therapy dog and animal assisted reading programs. She says it takes little effort to brighten up a nursing home or assisted living facility with a visit with your dog. And, it’s not hard to sit quietly nearby while an elementary school student with reading difficulties reads to your dog at a library. The cost is minimal, and retirees can set their own flexible schedule. There are therapeutic benefits as well. People with dogs and other pets have:

•     Lower blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol levels
•     Reduced stress and anxiety
•     Depression and loneliness erased
•     Better health and mental capacity for seniors

Dog lovers worldwide, regardless of religion, race, culture, or age, can relate to the angel animals in the “Dogs and the Women Who Love Them” and “Life with McDuff: Lessons Learned from a Therapy Dog” books. Judy knows first hand the miraculous and life-changing effect of animals because of the life lessons McDuff taught her on his mission. She also knows from personal experience that you get back so much more than you give when you volunteer with your pet. When you help others, you help yourself. It’s a win-win situation.

For more information about McDuff and Judy’s journey, please visit http://www.lifewithmcduff.com.

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