Pygmy Therapy Goats

Pygmy goats offer care home therapy - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-36276392

Cancer Patient Dies After Saying Farewell To Her Horse

7 November 2014 Last updated at 17:27 

Woman dies after farewell to horse at Wigan hospital

Sheila Marsh was granted her final wish of seeing her favourite horse Bronwen just before her death

A cancer patient has died after a final farewell to her favourite horse outside the hospital where she was treated.

Staff at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan granted Sheila Marsh's last wish, by arranging a visit from two of her horses on Monday afternoon.
The hospital said the 77-year-old, unable to speak properly due to illness, "gently called" her favourite horse, who then nuzzled her cheek.
Mrs Marsh, who used to work at Haydock Park Racecourse, died early on Tuesday.
The grandmother from Wigan had six horses, three dogs, three cats and other animals.
But after a farewell visit from one of her dogs last weekend, she told hospital staff of her wish to see her favourite horse Bronwen, who she had looked after for the previous 25 years.
They arranged for Bronwen and another horse to come to the hospital car park, where nurses wheeled Mrs Marsh in her bed.
Infirmary nurse Gail Taylor said: "The horse, Bronwen, walked steadily towards Sheila.
"Sheila gently called to Bronwen and the horse bent down tenderly and kissed her on the cheek as they said their last goodbyes."

Hospital staff and relatives shed tears as Mrs Marsh said farewell to her horses

Mrs Marsh's daughter Tina said: "It was very important for my mum. She was one of the most hard-working people that you could meet and she would do anything for anyone."
Pauline Law, deputy director of nursing, said staff felt privileged to have been involved.
"This was obviously extremely important to [Mrs Marsh] and her family and we feel privileged to have been able to provide this support at this crucial stage of her care," she said.
"It is absolutely right that we should pull out all the stops to ensure that our patients and their families receive personalised, compassionate and dignified care at the end of their life and this is what we will always strive to achieve."

Stranded cargo ship 'frees itself'

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 250,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.org You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

Dismal Day For Animal-Assisted Therapy At UPM's Dogathon 2013 Tomorrow.

aNt's aNgle:

Whilst animal lovers will be having a whale of a time at tomorrow's Dogathon 2013 on University Putra Malaysia's grounds, the same can't be said, unfortunately, for disabled people and animal-assisted therapy.

Unlike the recent noticeable feature of this great doggy event tradition for several years, one is unlikely to see the presence of animal-lovers with disabilities in the function. 

That's because Petpositive is not included in tomorrow's show. 

This is a far cry and a big blow for the promotion of animal-assisted therapy as Petpositive has always been included without fail each year by the organisers. 

UPM Dogathons had even gone the extra mile by providing disabled-friendly toilets, creating special wheelchair paths and giving Petpositive a booth to carry out our activities. 

Organisers had also made it their tradition to provide special gifts and food for our disabled members who have included persons in wheelchairs and the blind.

These features were a result of each Dogathon spending weeks and months in consultation with Petpositive before the actual event. 

Petpositive Snapshot with UPM

When I spoke to a co-organiser this

Petpositive's booth in 2012

afternoon about this, he brushed off Petpositive's participation by saying that Dogathon 2013 was leaving out "established groups" and concentrating more on new and upcoming animal NGOs. 

When I asked about SPCA and PAWS who were even more "established" groups than Petpositive participating, he appeared speechless about the obvious double-standard.

I told him that it was very sad that the disabled will have to miss the 2013 event.

Furthermore, I have always made it a point of covering UPM's Dogathon for several years in Wheel Power in The Star - always praising them for coming up with new and ingenuous ways of making sure that handicapped people also participated with the able-bodied. 

Dogathon's move this time is a dismal step backward and a shock. 

I can only hope that people with disabilities will be sincerely included in every of their future Dogathons and activities - without having Petpositive reminding them about this each year.

UPM's top brass must make this compulsory not only in an effort to promote animal-assisted therapy for the disabled and the elderly to the public but also to sensitise all veterinary students about the issue.

I will be personally raising the matter up with UPM's head Prof Dr Mohd Hair bin Bejo. 

In the meantime, for those of you who are going, have a great time! If you can, please express your support for us to the organisers.

Woof! Woof! Y'all! 

UPDATE: PET+NEWSFLASH! The adviser to UPM's Dogathon 2013 had just called me to sincerely apologise for overlooking Petpositive's participation in the event. They invited me to come on behalf of the society tomorrow and promised a booth for us. However, it was difficult to organise things at the last minute and we have decided to give the event a miss for this year. It is most encouraging to note though that animal-assisted therapy is still in the agenda of future Dogathons and we look forward to take part in Dogathon 2014. See you guys then! 
   
PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 250,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.org You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

Aquarium Therapy Soon For The Poor In Petaling Jaya

PETPOSITIVE NEWSFLASH!

DATELINE PETALING JAYA:

THE MALAYSIAN ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY FOR THE DISABLED AND ELDERLY ASSOCIATION or PETPOSITIVE has initiated plans with another non governmental organisation to provide aquarium therapy for residents in a low cost housing area in one of Petaling Jaya's poorest township.  

The fish tank will come with an in-built waterfall to provide positive therapy affirmation for disabled and elderly persons living in the flats.

It will also serve children living in the area.

PETPOSITIVE plans on getting the Petaling Jaya City Council or MBPJ to build a wheelchair-friendly access to the area.

There is also a need to build a disabled-friendly toilet for the handicapped residents through MBPJ's special project for the poor called "Sejati."

Petpositive's President Anthony Thanasayan who is also a MBPJ Councillor visited the area to study what exactly needs to be done in order to make the venue handicapped friendly.  

Watch this space for more on this development.
       

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.org You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

Look At What The Serpent Brought In?

PETPOSITIVE NEWS UPDATE:

DATELINE PETALING JAYA

LOOK AT what the snake brought in? 



It was all joy when three of PETPOSITIVE's animal-assisted therapy recipients collected their goodie bags to mark the Year of the Serpent yesterday. 

Those bags were certainly large ones when a well wisher contacted Our Society recently to say that she wanted to donate dog food to some of our members. 

That's exactly what took place yesterday when three of them stopped by to collect a big bag of Eukanuba that was donated to them. 

It was a wonderful act of kindness not only to disabled and elderly persons but also to animals that offer their non judgmental care to the individuals. 

The food went to a Golden Retriever named Maxi who provides therapy for an elderly gentleman. The others went to a mongrel named Yummy and another one named Toto. 

Both dogs were rescued animals who are now offering their unconditional love to their physically disabled guardians.

There are hundreds of similar ways in which you can help Petpositive. Just call us up on 012 220 3146 and we'll tell you. 

Thank you to our lovely donor who wishes to remain anonymous!

Each bag costed around RM180. 

Happy Lunar New Year to all!   


PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

Terrific Tails To Tell

THERE is plenty of laughter and happiness nowadays in one of the most popular disabled training outfits in Rawang, Selangor, called the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC).

And it is no secret as to who is creating all the smiles.

It’s the latest “member” to join in the self help disabled organisation situated in the quiet neighbourhood of Taman Garing.

It’s not a disabled person – but a dog.

Meet Toto - a bright and spunky three-month old mongrel that was rescued recently from the streets in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

“When Toto came into our lives a couple of months ago, it was like a dream come true not only for my husband and I, but for all the half dozen physically disabled residents in our home,” says Gurdip Kaur known also as Rina who serves as secretary of the ILTC.

“Toto has brought back all the fond memories of our previous service dog Dusty the Golden Retriever who died two years ago,” adds Rina who has been using a wheelchair for nearly two decades.  

Rina spotted a picture of Toto on an Internet dog adoption list and immediately fell in love with the pup.

She wasted no time in getting her tetraplegic husband Francis Siva – paralysed for 25 years – to drive all the way from Rawang to Subang Jaya. It was a journey that took more than a 100 kilometres to and back - just to bring Toto safely into his new home.

Today, there is no part of ILTC that Toto doesn’t light up each time he enters a room. He loves all the residents.

Their wheelchairs and walking sticks are no obstacles to him in getting close enough to them to give them a “happy new day” lick on their hands or faces. 

“It was so exciting to go shopping for Toto to get his food and proper utensils that go along with it,” Rina recalls.

“It sure beats just sitting around and thinking about our disabilities and our problems,” she adds.

However, the part Rina enjoys the most is how the marvellous mongrel has bonded with her so quickly. 

Toto loves to cuddle up with the couple in bed before he retires in his crate for the night in their bedroom.

Toto relishes his baths because he knows he has to “look good” to welcome visitors to the centre.

And when the time comes for him to attend to the calls of nature, Toto just communicates to the couple through a whine and they get the message.

Toto never leaves Rina alone for one minute. He follows her wheelchair everywhere and even loves sleeping under it at every opportunity.

Both Siva and Rina say they can’t recall when they have been happier over the past two years until Toto came into their lives.

“Our little boy just gives us the ‘oomph’ to carry on each day.” They smile. 

The young puppy will soon be enrolling into class with the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association to become a therapy-cum-service dog graduate for its wheelchair-using and loving guardians.

And that will be another tale to tell for another day.

Meanwhile, Zhar my latest service canine candidate turned 15-months old a few weeks ago.

This is the ideal age to start intensive training and the Doberman has been passing his marks with flying colours.

His ability to pick up a variety of objects and bring them to me has even surpassed that of my previous Golden Retriever that died last year of old age. 

The young Dobie refuses to sit still. Whether it is in the bedroom or the bathroom, Zhar is ever-ready to serve.

And the tailless wonder is a great help during car rides too.    

Zhar is the perfect four-legged assistant to leap out from the backseat to the front and get to objects from hard-to-reach places in the car.

Last week the incredibly large Doberman managed to contort his body in order to retrieve a mineral water bottle that strayed into the corner end of the floor of the passenger seat.

He can also pick up anything, from two-litre water bottles to delicate items such as combs, coins and business cards from the floor and bring them over to me.

However, the part that is most helpful about my Doberman-assistant is his patience when it comes to my wheelchair – which even puts some human helpers to shame.

Zhar will sit like a rock by my side when I do transfers like getting from my bed to my wheelchair and in and out of my car.

It’s as if he perfectly understands these critical moments of my life where if I fall, I could break it by falling on him and escape injury.   

With a completely caring canine companion like Zhar to help me along, no one could ask for a better friend in life!  

THE END

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

Dogs At Work Reduces Stress - BBC ONLINE

BBC ONLINE 30 March 2012 Last updated at 11:30 GMT

Taking dogs to work 'reduces employee stress'

Even employees without dogs wanted to take colleagues' pets for a walk

Bringing pet dogs to work can reduce stress and make the job more satisfying for other employees, a study suggests.
US researchers found those with access to dogs were less stressed as the day went on than those who had none.

The preliminary study published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management looked at 75 staff.

The researchers suggested access to dogs boosted morale and reduced stress levels, whether people had access to their own pets or other people's.

The study was carried out by a team of researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University who looked at a manufacturing company where people are allowed to bring their pets to work.
They compared those who brought in their own pets, with those who had dogs - but left them at home - and staff who did not own pets.

Over a week, the researchers compared employees' stress levels, job satisfaction and feelings about support from and commitment to the company.

Pooch power Stress hormone levels were measured using saliva samples during the day.
In the morning, there was no difference between the three groups.
But during the course of the work day, stress levels appeared to decline for employees with their dogs present and increased for non-pet owners and dog owners who did not bring their dogs to work.

The researchers also noted that stress rose significantly during the day when owners left their dogs at home compared to days they brought them to work.
Randolph Barker, lead study author and professor of management at the VCU School of Business, said dogs can make a positive difference in the workplace.

"The differences in perceived stress between days the dog was present and absent were significant.

The employees as a whole had higher job satisfaction than industry norms."
Prof Barker said having dogs around the workplace may contribute to employee performance and satisfaction.

And he reported positive comments from employees such as "pets in the workplace can be a great bonus for employee morale", "having dogs here is great stress relief" and "dogs are positive; dogs increase co-worker cooperation."

Past research has shown that stress can contribute to employee absenteeism and burnout. It can also result in significant loss of productivity.

Louise Lee, spokesperson at pet charity Blue Cross said they have always promoted the benefits of dogs in the workplace.

"We encourage our employees to bring in their well-behaved dogs where practical and we have seen similar results to the survey - a more enjoyable working environment, staff more likely to take regular breaks and a reduction in stress through stroking and petting dogs during the working day.
"The dogs themselves are also much happier as they are not being left at home for long periods of time."

More on This Story

Related Stories

• Dogs 'make deaf children safer' 05 MARCH 2012, HEALTH
• Dogs 'help families with autism' 26 MAY 2011, HEALTH

Related Internet links

• International Journal of Workplace Health Management
• Blue Cross

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

Catch BFM's Interview On Animal-Assisted Therapy Again

aNt's boyz at the vet not long ago

DATELINE: BANDAR UTAMA, PETALING JAYA

PETPOSITIVE PRESIDENT Anthony SB Thanasayan was on BFM radio station recently. 

He was featured in the Klang Valley broadcaster's The Big Picture talk show programme with host Meera Sivasothy.

Thanasayan spoke about his pet dogs and how the canines continue to help him - who is also a city councillor - stay on top of life.

Meera also got him to speak on some of today's issues facing disabled Malaysians in our society.

Click below to hear the half-hour radio interview which was broadcast 'live' on December 6 this month. 

(BFM can be heard on FM89.90MHz)






 PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 100,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in this PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

Catch PETPOSITIVE On BFM Radio Right Now!

DATELINE: PETPOSITIVE THERAPY CENTRE, PETALING JAYA.

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING IN YOUR CAR RIGHT NOW - OR BY YOUR RADIO SET OR COMPUTER, TUNE IN TO BFM RADIO BROADCAST.

THE MALAYSIAN ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY FOR THE DISABLED AND ELDERLY ASSOCIATION (PETPOSITIVE) IS 'LIVE' ON THE BROADCASTER TALKING ABOUT ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY (AAT). 

Get to know all about how pets are making a qualitative difference in the lives of the disabled and the elderly through Petpositive, a national, not-for-profit Society.

One of Petpositive's therapy canines Reba the Sheltie

BFM's The Bigger Picture show's presenter Meera Sivasothy is talking to Petpositive's President Anthony SB Thanasayan about how his dogs are constantly helping him stay on top of life as a person in a wheelchair. 


Today's programme is part of a worldwide celebration effort to commemorate the United Nations-sponsored International Day of Persons With Disabilities event which fell on December 3rd last Friday. 

The interview starts at 3pm and will last about 25 minutes.

The producer of the slot is Angelene Chong.

BFM can be heard on FM89.9Mhz in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and certain parts of Melaka.

Listeners in other parts of the world may tune in to the broadcaster via their webpage: www.bfm.my

Once logged in, you may watch the interview via live streaming.

After listening in to the show, please don't forget to tell us what you think about the programme in our COMMENTS section.


We would LOVE to hear from YOU!


Thank you!


PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). Our reports and stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then is now 70,000 and going strong! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Sometimes even twice or three times a day. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook as PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support. Thank you!

PETPOSITIVE To Talk About Animal-Assisted Therapy On BFM Broadcast Tomorrow

Animal-assisted therapy at Ipoh SPCA

DATELINE: PETPOSITIVE THERAPY CENTRE, PETALING JAYA.

LISTENERS TO BFM RADIO BROADCAST  WILL HAVE A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY ON MONDAY. 

PETPOSITIVE - or the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association - has been invited to the radio station's The Bigger Picture show to talk about the Society's work in providing pet partners for the handicapped and the elderly. 

The programme is part of a worldwide celebration effort to place the spotlight on handicapped issues as part of a United Nations-sponsored International Day of Persons With Disabilities (IDPD) event which fell on December 3rd last Friday. 

File pix: Thanasayan to talk on therapy pets

Petpositive President Anthony SB Thanasayan will be interviewed 'live' by Meera Sivasothy.

The interview will start at 3pm and will last about 25 minutes.

The producer of the slot is Angelene Chong.

BFM can be heard on FM89.9Mhz in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and certain parts of Melaka.

Listeners in other parts of the world may tune in to the broadcaster via their webpage: www.bfm.my

Once logged in, you may watch the interview via live streaming. 

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). Our reports and stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then is now 70,000 and going strong! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Sometimes even twice or three times a day. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook as PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support. Thank you!

Need To Spread Animal-Assisted Therapy In Malaysia

Some of the pet-empowered members at the AGM

DATELINE: PETPOSITIVE THERAPY CENTRE, PETALING JAYA

ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY IS STILL BY FAR THE MOST POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE WAY FOR THE DISABLED AND THE ELDERLY TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE LIVING.

THIS WAS THE CONCLUSION REACHED BY MEMBERS OF THE MALAYSIAN ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY FOR THE DISABLED AND THE ELDERLY ASSOCIATION - OR PETPOSITIVE - AT THEIR FIFTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HERE THIS AFTERNOON. 

In his welcoming address, Anthony SB Thanasayan, (left with red cap) who was re-elected uncontested as President for another two-year term commented that Petpositive has enjoyed a phenomenal success since its relatively short existence.

"Though Our Society has faced many challenges and obstacles, we've always managed to come out tops through our struggles where our name today is virtually a household name," he said.

"Even Dato Sri Sharizat Abdul Jalil, our welfare minister, singled out our name at last year's International Day for Disabled Persons at a major function in Kuala Lumpur as a good example for other NGOs," he added.

He also said that whilst Petpositive's primary aim was to partner pets with disabled and elderly people, "we have never ignored the other basic needs of our members such as providing them with wheelchairs or medical assistance where required."

"We are simply doing what other NGOs often fail to do. This takes a lot of commitment and zeal.

"But as a Society that is determined to raise the quality of lives of our target groups, we will never let them down." 

Thanasayan said that in order to do Petpositive's work, the Society needs funds.

"The last time we raised funds was at our charity dinner in 2007. 

"We need about RM10,000.00 a month to fulfill our mission to the disabled and the elderly.

"We are looking for corporations and private individuals to pledge a regular amount to cover the needs so that we can go ahead with our plans to make a difference in the lives of our target groups." 

Thanasayan made an appeal to all the members present at the AGM to do their part to speak to their friends and contacts to help Petpositive's mission. 

Left to right standing: Shenaaz, Fasidah & volunteer Kumaresh. Sitting: Leopold, aNt & volunteer Capt Karim

Petpositive is currently seeking for a driver-cum-office assistant as well as a full-time worker to work at the Petpositive Therapy Centre in PJ.

Mr Antony Leopold who walks with callipers was voted in as Vice President.

Fasidah Sabeh was re-elected as Secretary whilst Sonia Khan is the new Assistant Secretary.

Shenaaz Khan is now the new Treasurer whilst Vimala Sinnadurai is the new Assistant Treasurer.

The former takes over the position of the past Tresurer Dr C Vijayakumar and the latter Andrew Martin who are both founder members of Petpositive.

The new committee members are: Dr P Vanaja, a senior veterinarian; Francis Siva, also president of the Independent Living and Training Centre; Gurdip Kaur, former councillor of Selayang; Letchumy who is also physically disabled and S Gopalasingam.

Gopal who is an elderly person was re-elected to his committee post.

Petpositive member Datin Rosdiana donated RM2000.00 to the Society during the AGM.

The AGM was also attended by Petpositive's mascot Reba the Shetland Sheepdog.

COMING SOON: FULL TEXT OF THANASAYAN'S ACTIVITIES REPORT.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). Our reports and stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then is now 70,000 and going strong! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Sometimes even twice or three times a day. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook as PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support. Thank you!

ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY DOES WONDERS

Animal assisted therapy program does wonders 2/24/2008 7:09 PM By: Lisa Chalenza A patient with Tara, a Shitzu Animal-assisted therapy has helped millions of people overcome disabilities and illness and helps make life a little more tolerable for people dealing with stressful emotional times. Today, we learn more about what it takes to become a therapy pet and learn how your own pet may be able to join the ranks. Sue Gilberty and her dog, Tara, a Shitzu, are members of the Delta Society's Pet Partners Program, an organization that screens and trains handlers and their pets to provide visiting animal programs to schools, rehabilitation centers, hospitals and nursing homes. Sue recognized that Tera had a gift and wanted to share her with others. "What really did it for me, is my husband is an oncology patient and with his doctor's permission, I brought her up to the hospital when he was in one time. She was great in his room," Gilberty said. "She was very comfortable in the setting and then the doctor and I took her around to other patients on the oncology floor with their permission, it was just amazing" she added. WATCH THE VIDEO Pet pointers Animal assisted therapy is on the rise for rehabilitation. But before heading off to work, there is training involved for both the handlers, as well as the pets. "Tara had to learn how to not get really excited and jump on people and she had to learn how to, if something drops on the floor like a pill, that if I say 'off' she won't go near it," Gilberty said. Tara loves her work and her fans lover her for it. The Delta Society's Pet Partner's Program includes thousands of dogs, as well as other pets, like cats, rabbits, miniature horses, there is even a miniature donkey participating in the program in Arizona. If you think your pet would be good at animal-assisted therapy, you can check out the Delta Society Web site at deltasociety.org. They have training sessions twice a year and they are done locally.