Finally the dog days of summer are over. I have no clue why they are called the "dog days". We all know our dogs are much more happy and playful when the air is cool.

But I digress.

The real topic of my column is to send a Big Thank You to all of the Visiting Pet Program volunteers that have renewed their membership for another year. Once again, VPP volunteers (2 & 4 legged) will be "Bringing Love and Leaving Smiles" to residents in nursing homes and patients in hospitals.

In addition, I would like to extend a sincere welcome to all of the new volunteers that just completed their evaluation in September. You might get a chance to meet some of these new volunteers as they attend their probationary visits. Please join us in making them feel welcome.

The other thing I want to mention is... let's all make a good impression. Sometimes when we have been doing things for awhile, we let some of the rules slide. I know I have been guilty of this at times. But that's just between you and me, don't let anyone else know.

The new volunteers have recently attended their new pet/handler workshop and received their training manual. The training manual covers expected appearance and behavior of pets and people, arrive 15 minutes early to allow the pet to become comfortable with the surroundings and to meet the other dogs, proper dog greetings, picking up after your dog, as well as room, hallway and doorway etiquette.

If you are like me and you always visit the same facility, with the same people, with the same pets, we get used to everybody and they get used to us. With the addition of new members and their pets, all of us need to be aware of our behavior. It would be great if we could all give the new members good role models to imitate.

I am looking forward to another year of visiting and am happy that all of you will be visiting right along with me.

Claire Sommers

Lana Anderson with Lucy, the Toy Poodle. Lana works for UPS as a pricing analyst. She enjoys computers and television. She will be a handler for Brenda Chetta's little dog Lucy.

Nancy Feild with Tookie, the Bichon Frise. Nancy is a children's librarian at Jefferson Parish Library. She enjoys reading, classical music, and exercising. Tookie enjoys playing with her toys and taking obedience classes.

Annemarie Fisher with Lexi and Lucy, the Golden Retrievers. Annemarie is a church organist for the St Louis Cathedral Boys' Choir. She also plays for weddings and high school musicals. Lexi enjoys bringing in the newspaper. Lucy can balance and catch a toy off her nose.

Kathy Hebert with Rex, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Kathy is the Director of Finance at Broadpoint. She enjoys volunteering. Rex enjoys going to parks and parades. He likes to roll over and give kisses.

Lindsey Koretzky with Matisse, the Golden Retriever. Lindsey is an RN with Touro Infirmary's neonatal ICU. She enjoys exercising and traveling. Matisse enjoys going everywhere with Lindsey.

Barbara Jones with Nikki, the Pomeranian. Barbara lives on the Northshore and works in construction in the accounting dept. She is a Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Nikki and Barbara do a fashion show once a month. She has enjoyed taking obedience classes.

Debbie Puppel with Iris, the Beagle-Terrier mix. Debbie is a registered veterinary technician and certified pet dog trainer. She enjoys spending time with her dogs. Iris has just one eye but doesn't let that stop here. She has taken obedience classes and enjoys doing tricks.

Carolyn Saunders with Shadow, the Rottweiler/Shepherd mix. Carolyn is a physical therapist. Shadow is her partner. She enjoys going to dog parks and parades. Shadow was found in South Carolina and now has a great home with Carolyn.

Judilyn Schneider with Charlie, the Shetland Sheepdog mix. Judilyn is a travel agent with Travel Corp Intl. She is an active member with NCJW. Charlie was adopted from the LA/SPCA. He enjoys attending the Barkus Parade and going for walks.

Amanda Thorn with Hope, the black and tan Mixed Breed. Amanda is a vet tech at Abadie Veterinary Hospital. She attends UNO and is working toward becoming a vet. Her hobby is saltwater aquariums. Hope is a Katrina rescue. She has taken obedience courses and likes going to the pet store.

CURRENT VOLUNTEERS ADD PETS

Cathy Burch with Chloe, the white Boxer. Chloe, the deaf Boxer knows sign language. She will join Cathy's visiting pets Annabelle and Rosie.

Linda Ferguson with Murphy, the Australian Shepherd mix. Linda lost her beloved Fergus in 2006. Now she will be visiting with her new companion, Murphy.

Barbara Hyland with Prince, the black Greyhound. Prince will join Barbara's other Greyhound, Penny, as a visiting pet.

Peggy Lae with Friday, the black Lab/Setter mix. Friday was rescued from the streets a year ago by VPP member Carrie Neyland. Peggy adopted him and now Friday will be a visiting pet just like his sister, Chloe.

Shirley Laussade with Macy, the brindle Boxer. Macy joins Shirley's other Boxers Princess, Spice, Dee Dee, Soundproof, Kelsie, and Star who are also visiting pets.

Dr. Marcia Riedel with Obie, the orange tabby cat. Earlier this year, Marcia lost her beloved therapy cat, Mr. Foot. Obie will be her new therapy cat visiting on the West Bank.

Claire Sommers with Forrest, the brindle Greyhound. Forrest will join his brother, T Boy, as a visiting pet.

Steven Switzer with Erin, the black Lab. Erin will be visiting with her brother Deuce, who is a VPP pet.

Join us on Thursday, November 1, 2007, for Problem Solving and Problem Prevention, a Behavior Seminar with Ken Martin, DVM. Dr. Martin is the owner of Veterinary Behavior Consultations, LLC, a veterinary mobile clinic with practice limited to animal behavior disorders. The seminar will be held from 6:30pm - 8:00pm and will include time for questions and answers.

Topics to be covered include: For cats: bite and claw inhibition,destructive behavior, handling issues,litter box training, crate training, and obedience For dogs: play biting, destructive behavior, jumping, house training, crate training, prevention of separation anxiety, prevention of food and object guarding, excessive barking, handling, digging.

After graduating from LSUSVM in 1999, Dr. Martin completed a clinical behavior medicine residency at Purdue University, Animal Behavior Clinic in 2004. At Purdue, he was honored as a member for the Society of Phi Zeta, the honor society of veterinary medicine. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Southeast Louisiana Veterinary Association, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Please join us for this unique event to meet Dr. Martin and ask him all the questions you have been dying to know about Rover's behavior. It's an opportunity to learn some new skills to help you be a better pet parent and to increase the bond between you and your 4 legged best friend.

This seminar is open to the general public. Please bring your friends and family. Cost to attend is just $15.00 per person. VPP members showing their ID badges will receive a $5.00 discount.

This is a "people only" event. NO PETS, PLEASE. Your pet will not be allowed on the grounds of Audubon Zoo.

For more information about this seminar, call Lee Gaffney at 865-9724 or email at terriergroup@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you all there.