|
Windwalker Therapy Dogs at RI State Events
Windwalker has worked closely with RI Legislators over the years and influenced the development or amendment of legislation that address
access for Therapy Pets as well as animal well being, safety, and protection.
- H-8062: Therapy pets are allowed the same access as service animals
- Section 40-9.1-5: Family therapy pets in public places
- Section 4-13.1-15: Wherever the word "owner" shall appear in this chapter it shall also mean
and may be interchanged with the word "guardian" as defined in § 4-13.1-2
- Section 4-1-31 (S2034): Designation of an advocate in court to give animals a voice to protect them
In January and May of each year Windwalker, with events held at the State House, shares our therapy pets and information about our profession
with legislators and staff.
Pet Assisted Therapy Awareness Day
Since 2004, the second Tuesday in January has been designated as "Pet Assisted Therapy
Day" to honor the professional pet assisted therapy programs that have enhanced the lives of thousands of Rhode Islanders.
|
|
|
|
Litza (Guardian, Leslie Sittlow)
|
Litza
|
|
DJ Respect for Living Things Day
In May Windwalker celebrates "DJ Day" at the Statehouse. DJ (Dog of Joy) was the first Therapy Pet of Windwalker's Founder (Pearl Salotto), who
inspired her RI educational program, The DJ Professional Pet Assisted Therapy University Certificate Program, originally held at CCRI and now held at Providence College.
In May 2022 students from the Paul Cuffee School, who have had Windwalker's Guinevere (and Cynthia Vanaudenhove) in their classrooms
throughout the year for several years, created a display about the benefits of Pet Assisted Therapy.
|
|
|
|
Paul Cuffee School Display
inspired by Guinevere and created by students
|
Guinevere (Guardian, Cynthia Vanaudenhove)
|
|
|
|
|
Mia (Guardian, Carlos Moreila)
|
Bono (Guardian, Linda Leonardo)
|
|
Love in the Lobby - RI Department of Health
Windwalker has had a long relationship with the RI Department of Health, particularly in developing the ethical guidelines of our profession.
On Tuesdays in July Windwalker Therapy Pets bring joy and comfort to staff and visitors who visit the lobby of the building of the Health
Department.
|
Maggie Mae and Shannon (Guardian, JoAnn Sutcliff)
|
Pickle at "Love in the Lobby" at RI Health Department in July 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
