Posted by Eric Tindall on Jan 17, 2019
At the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North Luncheon on January 17, 2019, Lana Berry talked about Therapaws of Michigan.
 
Therapaws of Michigan promote and provide the therapeutic effects of the human-animal bond by placing qualified therapy dog teams, certified with Alliance of Therapy Dogs, at:
  • Hospitals
  • Other health-care facilities
  • Schools
  • Libraries
  • Special events
Lana position brings therapy dogs to Mott Children's Hospital (Michigan Medicine) to help young children, but other locations Therapaws work with is:
  • U of M Hospital
  • Ann Arbor VA
  • St. Joseph Hospital
Lana said, that Therapaws help at the following events:
  • Wag and Walk 
  • Dreams and Wings
  • Bark for Life 
  • And More
Lana described, "one program that they perform called Therapaws to Read." The Therapaws READ program seeks to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered pet therapy teams.
 
Children enjoy reading aloud to the dogs. Studies have shown the level of reading confidence improved for children involved in this program.
 
READ dogs visit in schools and libraries in Washtenaw County as well as surrounding counties. 
 
To end, Lana's talk Jeff Crause (Lana's Husband) and Lana had a contest that winners won Stuffed Therapaws Dog.
 
Lana Berry from Therapaws of MI
Lana Berry from Therapaws and Eric Tindall, acting President for Jan. 7th lunch
 and Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North 2018-2019 President Elect