CANINES WHO CARE
Do you know a group of people in need of some cuddly companionship? Meet our Canines Who Care! This wonderful team of dogs, and their handlers, are on a mission to make you smile.
If you're interested in having one of our Canines Who Care team members visit your organization or if you can help support our program, please contact Jyl Hershman-Ross, cwcsupport@pawsshelter.org
JOIN THE PAWS CANINES WHO CARE TEAM!
If you enjoy working with your dog and your dog enjoys socializing with people, then the PAWS Shelter Canines Who Care dog therapy program might be just what you are looking for! We are currently looking for new members to join the team. This wonderful team of handlers and their dogs will visit local schools, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. to help spread smiles & cheer!
All potential Canines Who Care Therapy Dogs should have their basic skills down pat and have a GREAT relationship with their human handler. We do not have any breed restrictions. To graduate the program you will need to:
- Attend all the training classes (approximately 4 or 5 one hour long classes)
- Pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test (Click here to view)
- Visit CWC sites under supervision of a current CWC Team until approved.
Join us for a candidate meet & greet where we can meet you and your dog and review the Canine Good Citizen Test items and talk!
We schedule Meet and Greets for Potential Therapy Dogs roughly 3 times a year – to find out when the next one is or to find out more about the program contact please email: Jyl Hershman-Ross, cwcsupport@pawsshelter.org
MEET THE TEAM
Stephanie & Kelly
Kelly is a 7-year old Curly-Coated Retriever. She and I have been a team since she took her first breath. She was the only puppy in her littler. Her mama wasn’t interested in raising her so I bottle fed and hand raised her. That is how she got her registered name, Ayershire She’s One Hot Mess. “Kelly”, because my favorite color is green. We enjoy participating in many sports including Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Agility and Hunting (birds, shed antlers & rats) I have been involved in therapy work with my dogs since the mid 1990’s and enjoy sharing the unconditional love of a dog to others.
Sherilynn & Tucker
When Tucker joined our family in 202, I knew there was something extra-special about him. He fit right into our family, which includes three (human) boys and two blind cats. He has the sweetest, most easy- going disposition (his foster mom accurately described him as “chill”), making therapy dog work a natural path for him. Each visit is a joyful and fulfilling experience for both Tucker and myself. It’s amazing how many smiles appear when a dog walks into a room! Sharilynn & Tucker joined The Canines Who Care as a team in 2022.
Jyl Hershman-Ross & Dash
After working in radio, playing in bands, teaching Middle School English classes and working in the Texas heat training hundreds of dogs for other people, Jyl ended up coming to PAWS and asking if she could just bring her love of working with people and animals and the work she does with Training and TTouch to PAWS Shelter. She brings her 18+ years of experience to the PAW Up program and also trains the Canines Who Care Therapy Dog teams. She dedicates this work to her former partner, Vito, who adored affection and loved being part of a team that brings love and joy to others.
Credentials: CPDT-KA, Level 3 Tellington TTouch Companion Animal Practioner
Mandy & Ruthie
Ruthie is the poster girl for rescue Staffys…things did not start off well for her. She was used as a puppy machine and for other not so nice things and then discarded (literally, by the side of the road) and you would think that she would hate people, but no. When rescue picked her up and tended to her wounds and saw to her needs, she responded with kisses and huge smiles. Mandy knew from the minute that she saw her that Ruthie was the dog for her. And from that day forward, everywhere they go they bring love and joy! Mandy & Ruthie have been with Canines Who Care since 2022.
Lucienne & Nelson
Nelson is an 8 yr old Miniature Poodle and has been sharing his sweet sassy brand of love in therapy situations since he was barely a year old. Saying that Nelson is “food motivated” is an understatement, and he will do pretty much anything for a treat! He loves to show off his tricks and to make you smile. I love seeing how Nelson's sweet and gentle personality can brighten someone's face and maybe make their day a little easier. Dogs really can accomplish what humans can't. We are thrilled to be joining the Canines Who Care team!
Elizabeth & Colter
Deidre & Rowdy
My name is Diedre and I am the lucky dog mom to this guy right here. Meet Rowdy, the German Shorthaired Pointer that nobody wanted because of his “ butterfly nose”. I knew the first day that I brought Rowdy home in September of 2023 that he was something special.
Rowdy lives life to the fullest every single day. He loves learning, working, swimming, birds, squirrels, treats, and balls. His smile is contagious and the way his whole body wiggles with joy will brighten anyone’s day.
Rowdy reminds me daily to live life to the fullest. His “butterfly nose” made him undesirable to others but to me it is my favorite thing about him.
Jackie & Maverick
Hi! I’m Jackie and this is my four-year-old Australian Shepherd, Maverick. Maverick is an incredible therapy dog, bringing so much joy to everyone he meets. He enjoys visiting local schools, hospitals, and assisted living communities. Maverick and I look forward to our morning coffee runs and pup cups together. When he is not out meeting new friends, he loves to play fetch with his favorite bacon flavored ball in our backyard. Maverick and I are so excited to be part of the Canine’s Who Care community and look forward to meeting and visiting with you all very soon.
Charleen & Franklin
Virginia & Chamito
Virginia is Chilean by birth, Texan by the Grace of God!
When Virginia was ready to search for a four-legged friend, she had often wondered about how to go about choosing a puppy but had been told that it would be the other way around, the puppy would choose HER, and that’s exactly what happened.
Chamito, which means “best buddy” in Venezuelan slang, is a four-year-old Aussie, the runt of his litter, intelligent, kind, with unbridled exuberance being off-leash in the woods and trails around their hometown of Buda.
Jessica & Trip
Trip came into my clinic almost 2 years ago after being hit by a car. He made it through the night only to discover a leg so badly broken, amputation was his only option. Hence, a Tripod joined our family. Trip has not looked back for one minute, astounding just about anyone with his speed and also his compassion. Trip loves to love and I know he can help a lot of people by doing just that.
Kristin & Hank
Alex with Simon & Cody
Alex and Cody are one of our newest teams. Simon, however, is a very experienced Therapy Dog, having worked with another therapy dog group in the past. While he LOOKS like a polar bear, he's actually a Great Pyrenees / St. Bernard mix whose day job is working on a farm protecting chickens with his dad Wilbur. Simon takes his protection job as seriously as his snuggling job and loves to just lay down and have people come to him.
Jaime & Tito
John & Sophie
Ann & Leila with Melly
Mike & Astro
Astro is a big goldendoodle that is a goofy teddy bear that just wants you to pet and love on him. He is 5 years old and wants to be around his family as the center of attention. The goal is for him to be a regular at the schools in Hays CISD for teachers and students of all ages.
Dave & Bonnie
Greetings everyone. My name is David E Miller, and I love dogs. I've endured 40 years of music business to end up here with my wife in the Amazing city of Austin. I'm retired and widowed once, only to find me in the enviable task of being a doggie butler and chauffeur after my dear friend MJ Mendell succumbed to brain cancer. MJ and I worked closely together for 9 years. Even though we went in different directions, we remained close friends for years, giving me the chance to be close to all three of her amazing doggies. Kaiya,(RIP), Dash, and my new dog, Bonnie. Except for stray food, Bonnie is an amazing dog and absolutely born to be a therapy dog. We look forward to cheering up some people, young or old.
Your Name Here!
If you're interested in having one of our Canines Who Care team members visit your organization or if you can help support our program, please contact Leslie Hutson, leslie@pawsshelter.org
ENDLESS GRATITUDE TO OUR RETIREES
Karen & Deuce
Sandy & Pearl
Lauren & Coco
Celeste & Walter
Debbie & Cooper
Debbie & Callie
JD, Chelsea & Ralph
FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS
Jyl & Vito
In loving memory of Vito.
