Gulf Coast Pet Partners ®

an affiliate of the Delta Society ®

Members Join Site

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Nina Lichvarik
Member
Female
About Me

Hi. My name is Mr. Beau Jangles. I am so delighted and proud to be a member of the Brody Project in Naples, Florida as an Animal Assisted Thearpy dog. I have the special gift of working magic with the resident I visit. Each time I go she seems to smile from the beginning of the session till the end. We seem to have a bond that is never ending. I know she delights in seeing me as she grooms me and takes my Delta scarf on and off. She seems to look at me so lovingly. Of course, I look at her with my big brown eyes and the magic begins. Each time I leave a session my owner tells me that I am the best at what I do and I know it is true as she gives me a warm hug and lets me know I have done a wonderful job. She also tells me that I am a blessing to all who know me. I almost forgot the "one at the other end of my leash" is Nina Lichvarik and we have been doing this for more than a year now and we cherish our time together every day.



Carolyn
Member
Female
67 years old
About Me

I had always had dogs until 8 years ago when my last dog passed away. I waited until I retired and moved permanently to Florida to adopt my little Bella last January. Bella is 5 and part Bichon/Poodle mix. She is such a sweetheart and was such a God-send to me that I knew she would be perfect as a pet therapy animal and bring comfort to others who can no longer have a dog of their own.

Bella and I enjoy our time at Moorings Park in Naples.



Emma's mom
Member
Female
About Me

Emma is a 6 year old Golden Retriever.  She and I have been a Pet Partner's team for 3 years.  Being an active member of Gulf Coast Pet Partner's has been a very important part of my life.  The opportunities to share the animal/human connection have been priceless.  Besides, what else does one do with a Golden Retriever who thinks "it's all about me"?!!  :D 



Gulf Coast Pet Partners
Site Owner
About Me


Sue & Payton
Member
Female
57 years old
About Me

I am a Dental Hygienist and a Volunteer for Golden Retriever Rescue of SW Florida.

I have 4 Goldens (ages 11, 9, 8 and 18 months), 1 Golden/Sheltie Mix (age 12) & a Border Collie (age 8).

All are Rescues.

My youngest Golden, Payton is my Pet Partner. He is 18 months old and we just became a Certified Pet Partners Team.

Payton is missing all his left rear toes & the 2 middle toes of his right rear foot. Our Vet thinks it is from trauma at birth. He wears a special "bootie" when he is outside of our house or yard. Payton does not know that he has a "dis-ability".



Golden
Member
Male
51 years old
About Me


JANET LOVAS
Member
Female
73 years old
About Me
My name is Jan Lovas and my dog’s name is Chelsea. We have been a Delta Pet Partners team since early 2008, living in the State of Indiana. We visited hospital and hospice patients; participated in reading programs and were members of a state sponsored team that brought “comfort dogs” to scenes of disaster.
We recently moved to Sarasota, Florida, and want to become involved in these activities again.


Janet
Member
Female

Lexiesluv
Member
Female
36 years old

Sharon Doggett
Member
Female

Wilma Harris
Administrator
Female
About Me

I am Wilma Harris, Administrator of the GCPP website, Membership Coordinator, and GCPP Stastician. I formerly raised and showed AKC Doberman Pinchers both in Conformation and Obedience.  I trained my first Dobe, Cole, to his Companion Dog title with AKC and was part of the drill team.  I was a 4-H Advisor/trainer to the Dog Club during the time that my son and daughter were of 4-H age.  I guess I am retired now except for my part time job at Publix where I have been a cashier at the same store for 15 years.  

I take my association with GCPP very seriously with my committment to visiting at Pinebrook Care and Rehab Center in Venice, FL, website duties, statician duties and membership coordination..

Tanner came into my life within a week after my Shih Tzu passed away in March, 2004. I had been scanning the animal shelters in Sarasota County then while visiting the Animal Welfare League in Port Charlotte, this 71-lb, 7 month old pup did everything he could to get my attention as I was passing by his kennel. It worked! I came back to talk to him and he melted down to the floor as I pet him thru the fence. I found out he was an owner turn-in, was raised with a 2-yr old, and was house broke. The already housebroke sealed the deal.

Tanner (formerly Bear, #759) has kept our family laughing at his antics ever since. He melted the hearts of my parents immediately upon meeting them, previously they had only tolerated my dogs, and he quickly became the love of our lives. He was my wild child. He didn't know anything, didn't play with toys, would jump on you to greet, would knock you down from behind, and would steal anything from the kitchen counter that appeared to be edible. He did and still does absolutely love children and he really was house broke. His training began.

Tanner was so about pleasing me he completed his training to be my service dog in 2008. He assists me with mobility, balance, and hearing. Five years after adopting this wonderful pooch, in September, 2009, he passed his AKC Canine Good Citizen test then went on to the Delta evaluation two weeks later passing with a complex rating. We were now a Delta registered therapy team, Pet Partners. We joined GCPP the same day.

Each Saturday his nails are filed down and each Sunday evening he has his bath as a prelude to what is going to happen in the morning. Tanner loves visiting and gets totally excited each Monday morning when we are on our way to Pinebrook Care & Rehabilitation in Venice where we visit the assisted living residents, Alzheimer's residents, and do AAT with short term clients there for rehab. He knows the route to get to Pinebrook and becomes very excited when we exit the Interstate. The next two miles are difficult for him to contain himself since he knows what's in store.

He is loved at Pinebrook by residents and staff as well. Everyone knows Tanner by name, even if they haven't met him in person. It's like Tanner wants to give back, not only to me but to everyone he meets by putting smiles on peoples faces, allowing them to forget their current state and bring back the memories of days of old. Visiting is his way of thanks for being rescued and having been given the opportunity to make someone else as happy as he is.



cindy
Member
Female
56 years old

iamviv
Member
Female
54 years old
About Me

I have lived in Florida for around 25 years, I am originally form Southeast Michigan. In 2001 I was diagnosed with Multiple  Sclerosis.  I know what it is like to be in hospital and in rehab.  When I was there I enjoyed the visiting dogs.

 

A year ago a friend offered me a little dog. She was really cute and I thought she would encourage me to walk and get out more.  One day Terra and I were out yard sale-ing when we came across a mentally disabled woman in a wheelchair.  She ask if she could pet my dog. I picked up Terra and she climb into the woman's lap. Despite the womans jerky movements Terra laid there in her arms and would have stayed there all day if I would have let her.  I noticed she was good with disabled people and their equipment.  I thought this dog has a calling, so I looked up therapy dog organizations and found Delta.  It was an exciting happy day when she passed her test.

 

 



Helen Ramsey
Member
Female

Roxanne Martin
Member
Female

Truffles Mom
Member
Female
About Me




Karen & Bosco
Member
Female
54 years old
About Me

Karen Moore is an Attorney practicing Estate Planning, Tax Law and Real Estate.   Additionally, Karen has  experience in the small business arena having started her own business consultant firm.  Most recently, Karen successfully completed the Pet Partners Team Training Course for the Delta Society Pet Partners Program in Naples, Florida. Karen and her therapy dog Bosco, participate in the Brody Project for Animal Assisted Therapy to work with patients and health care professionals on rehabilitative treatment goals. Karen lives in Naples, Florida and Bedford, Massachusetts with her husband Hal and their dog, Bosco. Her personal interests include playing piano and drums, biking, running, boating, swimming and travel



Karin Lusk
Member
Female
About Me

I am a retired high school Home Economics and Government teacher.  My Pet Partner, Maddy, is a six year old Australian shepherd female.  We live with my husband, Mike, part-time in Bonita Springs, Florida and part-time in St. Johns, Michigan.  We love visiting friends we've met as a Delta team. 



Linda Gillen
Member

Contact Info

For information on a Delta Society Pet Partner Team Training Course or Team Evaluation

Lee County and Counties South 

Patty Bigelow                                                                                                                                           bigelowp1@yahoo.com

 

Charlotte County and Counties North 

Merle Hobart    Patty fourpuppypaws@comcast.net

 

Upcoming Events

Thursday, May 24 at 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 26 All Day
Sunday, May 27 at 12:30 AM - 1:30 AM
Friday, Jun 1 All Day