California’s beautiful Sonoma County is home to award-winning wineries, luxury spas, scenic coastlines, amazing restaurants, and the world’s largest Social Therapy Dog Program ‘Creating Wellness.’
Founded over 17 years ago by Roz Morris and her cocker Spaniel named Sabrina, the Creating Wellness program was created to brighten the lives of people in need. Made up of volunteers and their dogs, they bring comfort and joy to patients in Hospitals and Assisted Retirement Living Facilities.
Over 107 dogs work at 25 various care facilities in Marin and Sonoma County. The leader of the Therapy Dog pack is 
Roz’s own eight year old Golden Retriever named Ally. A graduate of the Bergin University of Canine Studies Social Therapy program, Ally is a sweet and loving dog who is eager to work at the Hospitals.
Ally works in five care facilities during the week, sporting a Therapy Dog vest which reads “I Love Working for Hugs & Kisses,” and a K9 Drivers License for identification. Ally and Roz visit each facility for about an hour a day, asking if anyone would like a dog visit. They always check if anyone is allergic to dogs. “You don’t want sneezing for the rest of the day, they have enough stuff to deal with,” says Roz.
Weighing only 48 pounds, Ally is light enough for patients who would like her to sit on their beds, there she treats them with her special 
nursing skills. She prepares by having Roz thoroughly clean her feet with disinfecting wipes, and by adorning her fashionable K9 nurse’s cap. Once prepped she takes out her nursing bag containing various medical instruments: a stethoscope to hear a patients love for her, a reflex hammer to test a patients potential ball kicking skill, a hypodermic needle for injections of happiness, a cell phone incase she is paged, a band-aid cuff for children’s boo boos, and a rectal thermometer for – what else – show and tell! Even though all of her instruments are only toys she takes her work very seriously.
“The goal of a Therapy Dog is to make you feel better while you are getting better,” says Roz while working with her beloved canine, who she claims is even qualified to take a patients blood pressure. Their visits help facilitate healing, using all the unconditional love that a dog has to give.
There is definitely something special about this Golden Retriever who is adored by patients young and old. Ally is so gentle that even dog shy children love having her around. “Sometimes kids are afraid of dogs, but they’re very receptive of Ally,” says Roz.
During our visit with Roz and Ally at an assisted living facility, the residents were gathered around Ally like children awaiting story time by the campfire. While Roz entertained them with stories and jokes, Ally sat calmly on the couch. A resident was contently stroking her neck as Ally drifted in and out of sleep, and as others mooned over her. Pat, a Dementia affected resident never misses an opportunity to visit with Ally. “We should put a sign up that says everybody loves Ally!” says Pat, Ally responding by gently placing her head on Pat’s lap.
After a busy day at work Ally likes to return home and spend quality time with her two canine sisters, Sabrina and Justice. Sabrina, named after Roz’s original Therapy Dog, is a five year old cocker spaniel who 
also works as a Therapy Dog. Justice, a five month old Golden Doodle, is a Therapy Dog in training! Strict vegetarians, Ally and her sisters enjoy carrot treats, long walks, and naturally – sleeping.
The Creating Wellness program is always ready to train new Therapy Dogs. It begins with a simple orientation at the Sutter Medical Center in Santa Rosa, CA. Roz meets the future Therapy Dog and owner, then visits nurses stations to see how the dog reacts to the staff. If it has been determined that the dog would be a good match for the program the training process begins, and new Therapy Dogs are matched with teams. Dogs must be at least one year old to be in the Creating Wellness program, which contains many different breeds. Creating Wellness hopes to have over 200 volunteers by early next year.
“The greatest gift you can give another human being is yourself and a dog, there is nothing better than that,” says Roz. “This is the best job I’ve ever had in my life.” With all of her experience as a therapy trained Golden Retriever, one can truly say Ally has the golden touch when it comes to her patients.
To learn more about Creating Wellness or to qualify your dog to be a Therapy Dog please visit the Creating Wellness site at www.creating-wellness.net
French conqueror Napoleon Bonoparte said “A picture is worth a thousand words,” whereas California canine Napoleon knows a picture is worth a thousand sniffs.
Having skated with the Ice Follies and competed professionally in International Latin Dance, she has won a U.S. Latin Dance title. Today Nancy still coaches Latin and enjoys quality time with her husband Mark and, of course, Napoleon.
after 24 hours he becomes her husband’s shadow, but the moment Nancy returns Mark is dropped like a hot potato.
connoisseur and a huge beggar, Napoleon enjoys receiving the occasional bit of salad and chicken. When it’s time to graze on his kibble he becomes a traveling kibblesman, taking each morsel from the food bowl to the soft rug for further enjoyment.
San Francisco is renowned for its culture, dining, architecture, cable cars, and now – Cheeko B Pet Boutique. Located near Union Square this boutique has been called the Crème de la Crème of doggie stores.
prevents people from allowing unleashed doggies to escape into the busy San Francisco streets. Cheeko loves to look out the window and greet visitors, barking a greeting at their arrival he confidently shows customers around the shop.
working dogs who help make San Francisco an even more wonderful place to visit and live. When walking through the city, Cheeko and Frankie enjoy promoting their store products. People go crazy when they see Cheeko and Frankie in their Frankie B Ties, it’s simply great advertising!
It was 1921 when the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy first worked together in a short film titled The Lucky Dog. Today, two truly lucky dogs named Jake and Tycho star in their own comedic short films!
Jake and Tycho were adopted from a local animal shelter in 2007 by Barry and Martha, a couple from Texas looking to expand their family. Four month old Tycho was the last of four puppies and the first to go home with Barry and Martha. His mother was a chihuahua, and his father, identified on IDURMUTT.com and later confirmed by a veterinarian, was a border collie.
week. Martha writes most of the scripts, her only guideline is to avoid writing anything impossible to shoot. Barry shoots and edits all of the videos. It takes him 60-90 minutes to edit one short film on his Mac, using the video editing software Final Cut Pro Express. “We have so much archived footage it’s quick and easy for me” says Barry, who has worked in video production for 40 years specializing in TV commercials. Barry also provides the voices for Jake and Tycho, he gives Tycho an American Midwestern dialect and Jake a Southern Twang.
Tycho weighs in at 31.5 pounds and is affectionate, playful, and energetic. He loves Rawhide chews, squeak toys, balls, and socks. Tycho is somewhat of a homebody and doesn’t like to venture far from home, but he does enjoy herding people and Jake. When he’s relaxed his famous snaggletooth sticks out, which works well with his “Gimme a break” attitude on camera. Tycho is a bit smarter than Jake, and this is often humorously demonstrated in the videos.
Jake is 37 pounds and 100% primal canine. He loves to chase squirrels and dig giant deep holes in the middle of the back yard. He’s not into toys very much but is always ready for a good game of sock tug of war with Tycho, especially after instructing Tycho on the proper technique of hole digging! These two former shelter dogs have become loving brothers and always play together. “You can’t help but smile when you watch them play” says Barry “It’s like two boys roughhousing.”
of questions and images you match to your dog. Upon completion of the questionnaire you have the option to purchase a certificate of your breed mix for $1.49, a portion of this goes to animal shelters.
clients such as the Discovery Channel, Nike, Sony, Victoria’s Secret, and Williams-Sonoma, while Max happily keeps Holly and her clients company. There has never been a client who didn’t want him around.
Life for Max is like a party – the studio is always buzzing with food stylists, clothing and product stylists, makeup artists, and clients. His favorite work days are food shoots, where magically he becomes the food stylists’ best friend. Naturally, Max spends much of his time in the studio’s kitchen, all trash cans have lids so he doesn’t go fishing for treats. During our interview Maximo’s eyes were intently fixed on Holly preparing food in the kitchen, waiting for something to drop, as something always does. Delivery days are particularly good for Max, if he sees a brown truck he starts whining because the UPS carrier always gives him bones, and if they don’t he’s all over their pockets.
Many K9 unit dogs are aggressive when approached and not receptive to public contact. Officer Kaupe wanted a friendly, confident dog when selecting from hundreds of other candidates. “Koda and I attend school programs, community events, parades, and convalescent homes. Can you imagine if people couldn’t pet him?” says Officer Kaupe.
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