A testimonial for Post # 500

I have to give props to Ivy's wonderful breeder, Cadie Pruss, who I just learned will be relocating with her husband, Mike, to Idaho. I spent two unforgettably pleasant afternoons on the Prusses' beautiful sheep farm in central Pennsylvania, as idyllic a setting as I've ever experienced. Those visits were also memorable for my having been surrounded by a group of the most affectionate and well-loved dogs imaginable, a testament not only to Cadie's breeding skills but to her own generosity and kindness. Those qualities are evident in this photo from her blog of her with four of her champions, Liza, Cassia, Dove (Ivy's great-grandmother), and Genna. I'm willing to bet that getting four Shelties to smile simultaneously is something only Cadie could have pulled off.

A New Adventure awaits in Idaho

Cadie, Mike, the Acadia shelties, Rosie the Vizsla and Emine the Kangal are moving to Idaho. Mike accepted a great job working for the Forest Service on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest and I will continue to work for the Natural Resource Conservation Service in Nezperce, ID. 

Acadia shelties have called Pennsylvania home for the past 17 years, since moving from the great Southwest (Arizona). I have continued to meet and enjoy so many wonderful people who value well-bred dogs, and I really consider myself lucky to have had so much success here.  As I prepare for this move, I am reminded of how much I missed the people and the local dog community in Arizona, and I am already missing the mid-Atlantic dog community, but I find that “dog people” are a good group and there are nice people everywhere. I am looking forward to meeting the wonderful people of the northwest.

Pennsylvania is a state I hope to return to- and as such, we are not selling the farm. We did, however, sell our sheep. That was so hard on me. We have been breeding Katahdin sheep for almost 16 years- and it was a hard day to see my flock of ewes go to a new farm.

On to a new chapter…

Congratulations Penny on being chosen as Member of the Month

http://www.pawsitivetherapy.com

MISSION STATEMENT

The PAWSitive Therapy Troupe is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to sharing registered therapy dogs with individuals in a wide variety of health care and educational settings--bringing comfort, support and encouragement through the unique healing power of the human-animal bond

Congratulations Penny.  You are a dedicated member of the Therapy Troupe, and also the Acadia shelties family.  Tess, Gracie, and Show Low all came from Acadia. Kate is the granddaughter of Show Low. 

Troupe Members of the Month - Penny Brcich & Tess and Kate Penny Brcich has been a member of the PAWSitive Therapy Troupe since 1999. She has almost 17 years of service as a dedicated volunteer with a total of six Shetland Sheepdogs. Penny’s current Pet Partners are 3-year-old Tess and 2-year-old Kate. They are faithful visitors at a variety of health care facilities, schools and libraries. Here is what Penny has to say about her partners Tess and Kate: “I have been visiting with my therapy dogs for well over 15 years! Becky (PAWsitive Program President) and I first met at an agility class - we both had shelties named Rosie. I visited at Loyola Pediatrics, Mooseheart Residential School and many other sites over the years with my Shelties Rosie, Rachel, Gracie and Show Low.  My current therapy dogs are Kate and Tess. Kate (smart and active!) is great with the kids at Ronald McDonald House near Loyola Medical Center and at Oak Trace Senior Village, while Tess (fluffy and gentle) is a good Read with Me dog at elementary schools and libraries. She visits with seniors at Villa St. Benedict Senior Village too. It is always a pleasure share my special four legged friends with others, and we hope to continue for many years to come!” On behalf of all of us in the PAWSitive Therapy Troupe, thank you Penny for so many years of devoted service!