Volunteer Barbara Hyland and her Greyhound, Prince, participated in two of LA/SPCA's Care Cadet Camps. The VPP team gave an educational presentation to the sixth and seventh graders to explain to them exactly what therapy visits are all about and why they serve a very important purpose. Following their training and graduation, the Care Cadets will serve as volunteers at the shelter and several will participate at the VPP evaluations.

An enthusiastic group of VPP volunteers braved the summer heat and attended the LSU Camp Tiger in late May on the campus of Jesuit High School. Camp Tiger was founded in 1985 by first-year students from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. Its mission is to give disadvantaged and challenged children an enjoyable summer camp experience. For the campers, this may be their only chance during the summer to socialize with other children without being singled out for their disability.

The volunteers received a wonderful thank you note from the coordinators of Camp Tiger. In their thank you the coordinators said "We would like to express our sincere appreciation for your contributions to Camp Tiger 2011. You played an integral part in the success of this year's camp. Your handlers were extremely accommodating and the campers thoroughly enjoyed the dogs during our carnival at Jesuit High School. Without the support of people like you in our community this free, week-long camp for over 130 students from across the area would not be possible. For 26 years Camp Tiger has given children who are mentally and physically challenged the opportunity to have an amazing summer camp experience and you are part of this legacy."

Volunteers who attended 2011 LSU Camp Tiger were:
Lynne Aranda
Connie Back,
Gina Guarino,
Sonja Flick,
Frances Hecker,
Barbara Hyland,
Bob Klare,
Jennifer Mueller,
Carolyn Saunders,
Joy Sturtevant
and
Linda Wegmann.

As part of our summer continuing education series, VPP member Melissa Ellis will offer advise to our members about K9 nutrition and its effects on behavior. This valuable presentation will be held on Wednesday, August 17th from 6:30pm-8pm at the Harahan Senior Center, 100 Elodie St., Harahan, LA.

In addition to her therapy work with Hooch, the Puggle, Melissa has thirteen years experience training dogs in obedience, behavioral modification, search and rescue work (SAR), detection, and flyball. Melissa has deployed with her dogs all over the world, including the Lower 9th Ward following Hurricane Katrina, Aruba and Iraq.She teaches "K9 Mind Your Manners" and "Doggie Biggest Looser" classes for the Louisiana SPCA.

Melissa's presentation will include a discussion about the different quality of kibble foods and treats on the market and what to look out for on the labels. She will explain how to assess your own dog for proper weight, how to reduce weight and how behavior is influenced by the type of food the dog eats. There will be a few demonstrations and time for questions and answers.

Mark your calendars now and plan to attend this informative opportunity. Our thanks to Melissa for sharing her time and talents with all of us.

For questions, email Lee Gaffney at terriergroup@gmail.com