Sunday, March 9, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
NJVF 2008 Animal Hall of Fame
New Jersey Veterinary Foundation13th Annual Animal Hall of Fame
Therapy:
Therapy animals come in all sizes and shapes, but few come in the 120-pound size that Takoda brings to his work. The three-year-old Shiloh Shepherd brings a giant economy size package of gentleness and compassion to the severely handicapped people he works with. After a budding career as a show dog, it took just one visit to the nursing home room of owner Cindy Schliefer’s mother to put Takoda on a new career path. “I knew right away this is what he was meant to do,” she said. Takoda was nominated by Dr. Larry Hirshenson of Morris Hills Veterinary Clinic in Boonton.
[more info]
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Best In Therapy, Takoda Earns State Award
Best in therapy - Takoda, a pure bred Shiloh Shepherd earns state award
Hanover Eagle Published: Thursday, March 6, 2008 2:53 PM EST By JAMES LENT, Editor
HANOVER TWP. – It’s a dog’s life for Cindy Schleifer, wife of Township Committeeman Ken Schleifer. Literally.
When she’s not teaching at the Jewish Community Center on Route 10 in Whippany, the Reynolds Avenue resident is escorting her dog, the 3-year-old purebred Shiloh shepherd, Takoda, to nursing homes like Morris View in Morris Township and rehabilitation centers where he works as a therapy dog for people with handicaps.
At nursing homes, Shiloh is a comfort to patients. At rehab centers Takoda can sit as a friendly presence and be petted or help clients move around by going for walks with them.
“We can’t do much for the residents physically,” said Schleifer Monday on a visit to her primary rehabilitation center, Universal Rehabilitation on Microlab Road just off Route 10 in Livingston. “But the dogs can help them emotionally.”
Takoda - the name is a variation on “Dakota,” a Sioux word meaning “friend to everyone” - was on display Sunday at Hamilton Park in Florham Park where he was inducted into the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association Hall of Fame as top therapy dog in the state.
The Hall of Fame honored four New Jersey dogs for the various kinds of work they do. Takoda was tops in Therapy. He joined the top Companion dog, Tinker Toy, a toy poodle who has been staying with a stroke victim while he recovers, the Professional dog, Renato, a German shepherd who just returned from Afghanistan, where he works as a drug sniffing dog, and Cassius Clay a 3-year old pit bull who was noted in the Hero category for being a blood donor at the Willingboro Veterinary Clinic’s blood banks.
The dogs, their owners, handlers and veterinarians were all part of the association’s Hall of Fame program, which included an awards ceremony and a buffet lunch.
Of Takota’s induction, the association said, “Therapy animals come in all sizes and shapes, but few come in the 120-pound size that Takoda brings to his work.
The 3-year-old Shiloh shepherd brings a giant economy-sized package of gentleness and compassion to the severely handicapped people he works with.
After a budding career as a show dog, it took just one visit to the nursing home room of owner Cindy Schleifer’s mother to put Takoda on a new career path.”
A Shiloh shepherd is a rarity in the United States. Bred to approximate the original German shepherd dogs of years gone by, the Shiloh shepherd is somewhat larger that the German shepherd of today. It also has a straight back whereas German shepherds’ backs are lower in the rear.
The breed is also known for its plush coat.
“My mom just loved him,” Schleifer said. “Everybody does.”
On Monday, Schleifer took Takoda to Universal, where the pairspend much of their time working with the residents there. She met up with her friend, Ellen Palestine of Livingston, and Palestine’s dog named, oddly enough, Dakota.
“We didn’t know each other when we first started coming here,” Palestine said. “The dogs were already named.”
Dakota had been possibly hours away from being put down in a Georgia animal welfare shelter when he was rescued by 11th Hour Rescue of Denville and brought to Palestine.
“When I heard about therapy dogs I knew that’s what Dakota was made for,” Palestine said.
Universal was founded in 1989 by East Hanover residents Jerry and Lisa Lasso.
Jerry Lasso, long in the food industry and restaurant business and a well-known figure in East Hanover for years, had suffered a heart injury in 1976 when he was 24 while he was vacationing in Florida. His chest had smashed into the steering wheel of his car in an accident that ruptured his heart.
In 1980 he required emergency surgery on his aortic valve due to complications from the original accident. When he awoke from surgery he was a paraplegic.
In 1989 he used his injury to his advantage and, with his wife, Lisa, opened Universal with the goal of working with each client on their own individual needs.
Lasso died in 2003, apparently from taking the wrong dosage of medications. Lisa Lasso, now living in Florham Park and still owner of the center, said no one is certain how he died.
Now, Universal is expanding. “We’re just trying to keep Jerry’s legacy alive,” Lisa Lasso said. She, along with Executive Director Robert Greco, run seven Universal group homes scattered about Morris and Essex counties, including in Morris Plains, East Hanover, Florham Park and West Caldwell. From each she brings the residents into the Livingston rehabilitation center on a daily basis.
Hanover Eagle Published: Thursday, March 6, 2008 2:53 PM EST By JAMES LENT, Editor
HANOVER TWP. – It’s a dog’s life for Cindy Schleifer, wife of Township Committeeman Ken Schleifer. Literally.
When she’s not teaching at the Jewish Community Center on Route 10 in Whippany, the Reynolds Avenue resident is escorting her dog, the 3-year-old purebred Shiloh shepherd, Takoda, to nursing homes like Morris View in Morris Township and rehabilitation centers where he works as a therapy dog for people with handicaps.
At nursing homes, Shiloh is a comfort to patients. At rehab centers Takoda can sit as a friendly presence and be petted or help clients move around by going for walks with them.
“We can’t do much for the residents physically,” said Schleifer Monday on a visit to her primary rehabilitation center, Universal Rehabilitation on Microlab Road just off Route 10 in Livingston. “But the dogs can help them emotionally.”
Takoda - the name is a variation on “Dakota,” a Sioux word meaning “friend to everyone” - was on display Sunday at Hamilton Park in Florham Park where he was inducted into the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association Hall of Fame as top therapy dog in the state.
The Hall of Fame honored four New Jersey dogs for the various kinds of work they do. Takoda was tops in Therapy. He joined the top Companion dog, Tinker Toy, a toy poodle who has been staying with a stroke victim while he recovers, the Professional dog, Renato, a German shepherd who just returned from Afghanistan, where he works as a drug sniffing dog, and Cassius Clay a 3-year old pit bull who was noted in the Hero category for being a blood donor at the Willingboro Veterinary Clinic’s blood banks.
The dogs, their owners, handlers and veterinarians were all part of the association’s Hall of Fame program, which included an awards ceremony and a buffet lunch.
Of Takota’s induction, the association said, “Therapy animals come in all sizes and shapes, but few come in the 120-pound size that Takoda brings to his work.
The 3-year-old Shiloh shepherd brings a giant economy-sized package of gentleness and compassion to the severely handicapped people he works with.
After a budding career as a show dog, it took just one visit to the nursing home room of owner Cindy Schleifer’s mother to put Takoda on a new career path.”
A Shiloh shepherd is a rarity in the United States. Bred to approximate the original German shepherd dogs of years gone by, the Shiloh shepherd is somewhat larger that the German shepherd of today. It also has a straight back whereas German shepherds’ backs are lower in the rear.
The breed is also known for its plush coat.
“My mom just loved him,” Schleifer said. “Everybody does.”
On Monday, Schleifer took Takoda to Universal, where the pairspend much of their time working with the residents there. She met up with her friend, Ellen Palestine of Livingston, and Palestine’s dog named, oddly enough, Dakota.
“We didn’t know each other when we first started coming here,” Palestine said. “The dogs were already named.”
Dakota had been possibly hours away from being put down in a Georgia animal welfare shelter when he was rescued by 11th Hour Rescue of Denville and brought to Palestine.
“When I heard about therapy dogs I knew that’s what Dakota was made for,” Palestine said.
Universal was founded in 1989 by East Hanover residents Jerry and Lisa Lasso.
Jerry Lasso, long in the food industry and restaurant business and a well-known figure in East Hanover for years, had suffered a heart injury in 1976 when he was 24 while he was vacationing in Florida. His chest had smashed into the steering wheel of his car in an accident that ruptured his heart.
In 1980 he required emergency surgery on his aortic valve due to complications from the original accident. When he awoke from surgery he was a paraplegic.
In 1989 he used his injury to his advantage and, with his wife, Lisa, opened Universal with the goal of working with each client on their own individual needs.
Lasso died in 2003, apparently from taking the wrong dosage of medications. Lisa Lasso, now living in Florham Park and still owner of the center, said no one is certain how he died.
Now, Universal is expanding. “We’re just trying to keep Jerry’s legacy alive,” Lisa Lasso said. She, along with Executive Director Robert Greco, run seven Universal group homes scattered about Morris and Essex counties, including in Morris Plains, East Hanover, Florham Park and West Caldwell. From each she brings the residents into the Livingston rehabilitation center on a daily basis.
Gone To The Dogs :Hanover Eagle
Published: Thursday, March 6, 2008 2:27 PM EST By JAMES LENT, Editor
Yes, the story of Hanover Township’s Cindy Schleifer and her dog, Takoda, is a story of unsung heroism. But it’s the kind of heroism that doesn’t call attention to itself and can actually prove to be loads of fun.
What was equally nice for Schleifer this past weekend, is that her dog’s work has been recognized for the wonder it is.
A Shiloh shepherd, Takoda - the name is a variation on “Dakota,” a Sioux word meaning “friend to everyone” - was on display Sunday at Hamilton Park in Florham Park where he was inducted into the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association Hall of Fame as top therapy dog in the state.
Nice job. And to hear Schleifer tell it, it’s thoroughly enjoyable work she and her dog perform, going to nursing homes and rehabilitation centers were the dog relates to the patients and vice versa.
Like all therapy dogs, Takoda - all 120 pounds of him – is gentle as a lamb and is loved by patients wherever he goes.
Such dogs are a treat for patients who have suffered brain injuries and sometimes have difficulty moving around or even speaking; they find the animals a source of much solace.
We offer a note of thanks to people like Cindy Schleifer for their dedication to an unusual but gratifying line of work. And for Takoda, he should get an extra bone.
Click here to download the Hanover Eagle Article
Yes, the story of Hanover Township’s Cindy Schleifer and her dog, Takoda, is a story of unsung heroism. But it’s the kind of heroism that doesn’t call attention to itself and can actually prove to be loads of fun.
What was equally nice for Schleifer this past weekend, is that her dog’s work has been recognized for the wonder it is.
A Shiloh shepherd, Takoda - the name is a variation on “Dakota,” a Sioux word meaning “friend to everyone” - was on display Sunday at Hamilton Park in Florham Park where he was inducted into the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association Hall of Fame as top therapy dog in the state.
Nice job. And to hear Schleifer tell it, it’s thoroughly enjoyable work she and her dog perform, going to nursing homes and rehabilitation centers were the dog relates to the patients and vice versa.
Like all therapy dogs, Takoda - all 120 pounds of him – is gentle as a lamb and is loved by patients wherever he goes.
Such dogs are a treat for patients who have suffered brain injuries and sometimes have difficulty moving around or even speaking; they find the animals a source of much solace.
We offer a note of thanks to people like Cindy Schleifer for their dedication to an unusual but gratifying line of work. And for Takoda, he should get an extra bone.
Click here to download the Hanover Eagle Article
Friday, November 16, 2007
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