Abbie
Abbie is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She was born in 2005 in Kentucky. She came to live with us when she was 8 weeks old. Abbie loves  rides in the car, eating anything (even vegetables) and going for boat rides. She loves to visit the hospital and give out free kisses.

Bella

Benny
Show me the action, show me the adventure; I’ll show you the FUN!!! I am Benny the Irish terrier. Most film critics believe that Harrison Ford looks like ME!

Brandee

Bruno
Bruno is a 6 year old boxer. He loves going to the hospital, he has lots of friends there and he also loves going to the school and see the kids. He is also a big kisser

Buddy
Buddy was adopted in January 2009 after he lost his rear leg two weeks prior. He was a stray found Dec. 9th 2008 entangled in barbed wire by a humane society in Indiana. His right rear leg couldn't be saved. After all he went through he is a remarkable boy becoming a therapy dog in May of '09. He is an inspiration to all who meet him!

Chloe Be

Chloe Bo
Chloe is a brindle colored French Bulldog who was born in 2007. She makes all kinds of funny snorting noises to show her expressions. She loves to roll over to have her belly rubbed and loves riding in the car. She loves meeting new people and showering them with slobbery kisses

cocoa
Cocoa is a Chocolate Labrador Retriever born in 2005.  Her nickname is Cocoanut – since we think she is such a nut!  Her favorite pastime is to play soccer and to give everyone lots of kisses.  Her favorite Holiday is Halloween when she gets to dress up.

Cooper
Cooper is a three year old Bichon mix who loves to play in the snow and with his three cousins, go visiting, and play tug with his mom and dad.  However, his most favorite past-time is vegging out whenever possible and being a ‘lap potato’

Daisy
Daisy a European Crème, Golden Retriever, was born on June 8, 2007. Daisy loves to swim and fetch tennis balls. Her best friend is Wrigley… a 2 year old, male, European Crème, Golden Retriever, who is also a therapy dog. If you want to make her happy, just scratch her pink belly!

Dakota
This is Golden Retriever Dakota Sioux. She was born on July 28th, 2006. She is extremely intelligent and very affectionate, which makes her an ideal therapy dog. She knows the difference between ball, bone, tug, toy, treat and bowl. And, she fetches the paper from the end of the driveway each morning. She is trained leash-free and loves people, especially children. Along with being certified with The Fox Valley Therapy Dog Club as a therapy dog, Dakota Sioux is also certified with Delta Society, the National Therapy Pet-Partner Organization.

Danny
Danny came to live with us when he was 5 years old, after his first owner passed away.  Danny is a sturdy, 25 lb, Miniature Schnauzer born in 2003 and his silver colored coat is called "salt and pepper".   He loves every person he has every met and his enthusiastic enjoyment of his squeaky toys reminds us daily to enjoy the 'little things' in life.  Danny favorite time is spent with anyone who will pet, play and snuggle with him.

Dexter
My name is Dexter and everyone says that I am a handsome little gentleman. My mom says that I am a nurturing, loveable little cuddle-bug.  When we are at home - I always watch out for and care for her and my baby sister dog - Whitney.  When we go out, I love to meet people and get lots of pets.  While I do enjoy being with the ladies and giving them hugs and kisses, my mom says I am such a guys' guy. I seem to gravitate toward them. I am sure that it is because I like sports, especially agility.  I am pretty good at it and it keeps me in shape.  All that being said, my all time most favorite thing to do is just to spend time with my family and friends

Elijah
Elijah is a sable and white Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) who was born on April 27, 2005.  He is a smart, mellow, sensitive boy with a sweet heart. He enjoys walks, fetch, tugging, running around in circles, playing soccer with his big, blue plastic ball, cuddles, and tummy rubs, but most of all he loves playing with his little boy, Logan.

Foxy
If Foxy could talk I bet the first thing she would say would be, “Hi, rub my tummy and I will let you do anything you want with me.” From sitting on laps or snuggling in bed or just laying on a table in front of someone so they can work on motor strength skills, she loves her therapy job and can’t wait to go again.

Fritz O
Fritz is an 18 lb. black Miniature Schnauzer born in 2003.  We were lucky enough to adopt Fritz from a rescue organization when he was 1 year old.  His favorite time is spent outdoors in any type of weather and loves eating popcorn, getting petted and riding in the car.  Fritz participates in several Library Reading Programs and also visits with patients, family members and the staff at Copley Hospital.  

Fritz Z

Fritzi B
Fritzi is a black and silver miniature schnauzer who was born Sept 2, 2008. She has been in training since she was 5 months old to be a therapy dog, and she is now seeing the rewards both to herself and the people she visits.

Fynn

Grace May

Griffin

Hero
Hero is a 4 year old smooth coat collie who came to us as a rescue when he was 2 years old.  He loves being a farm dog and especially thinks he is in charge of our 4 horses.  Even though he is quite energetic at home, he is very well behaved where ever we go to visit.  He seems to especially enjoy visiting the hospital and walks proudly from room to room bringing smiles to patients and staff.

Holly
Holly is a Golden Retriever and was born in March of 2007.  She is a very gentle, kind dog.  She loves her pet therapy work, especially when it's with kids!  She likes to lay in her swimming pool and play basketball.  

Jimmy
Jimmy is a red Dachshund. He is a champion show dog,known in the ring as "Ch. Stonerivers Bourbon Street". Jimmy loves reading at the Library and visiting at schools. He likes spending time with his friends and thinks being a therapy dog is lots of fun.

Kaleigh
Kaleigh is a rescue blue merle collie we adopted into our lives when she was 4 months of age. This unique canine is truly a gift from above and began touching the lives of others through her therapy work in 2002. Kaleigh has an innate sense of knowing when people are ill or unhappy which makes her an excellent therapy dog. She is extremely sensitive and very smart.  Besides doing therapy work, she has earned many titles in agility, obedience and even passed a herding instinct test.  She loves to perform tricks and enjoys long walks, chasing squirrels and herding anything.  She is an amazing dog who helps many people and brings rays of happiness with her wherever she goes.

Libby Lu
Libby Lu is a long coated Chihuahua was born on Valentine's Day 2005 and weighs only 5 Lbs. She brings a smile where ever she goes. She enjoys visiting people of all ages.

Lizzie

Lucy B
My name is Lucy, I am a Pekingese. I have always been a very calm, quiet dog and was told by many people what a great "therapy" dog I would make. Well...my mom finally listened to everyone and here we are! I have sat on laps at the hospital, been held by the elderly, and love to listen to the kids read to me at the library. I have even been mistaken for a stuffed animal! At home, I am truly a princess, just ask my other two dogs at home!

Lucy R
Lucy is a lovable Golden Retriever who is the quintessential social butterfly.  She embraces her job as a Therapy Dog with her whole heart, whether she is visiting with children or the elderly, she loves every person she greets.  When Lucy is not making a difference in the lives of those she visits, she can be found asleep on the couch.

Luna
Luna is a Labrador Retriever who was born in June of 2004. She loves to run agility and is VERY FAST! Luna likes getting petted, taking sips of coffee and “talking” to new friends.

Misty
Misty loves to visit schools and libraries.  She absolutely adores children and loves the attention she gets from each visit.  As Misty's handler, I have learned a LOT from watching the effect she has on people.  She can cheer up people who might be having a bad day, motivate people to work harder at physical therapy, relax children who need help reading out loud and help children to overcome fears about dogs.  It is truely a blessing to watch her healing power and see how she breaks down barriers and walls that people set up and to see an instant bond form between an animal and a human that can open up communications and awareness. 

Molly
Molly doing what she loves to do at the lake…..she also gives great kisses..

Murphy
Murphy is a miniature schnauzer born in 2005 that loves to play with children and squeaky toys.  When not playing fetch or napping in his favorite bed, he happily spends his time visiting with patients and their families at Rush Copley Hospital.  He can't wait to get inside the building and begin meeting people, frequently speaking to those who have not stopped to pet him.   He also loves to visit with children at the local library, where he lifts his nose for a "kiss" before children sit down to read a story to him.   Murphy loves nothing more than to be told it is time to "visit" knowing that he will soon be meeting new people and bringing them joy or secretly enjoying the attention he is given.  

Pablo
Pablo is a Labrador Retriever who was born in October of 2000. He loves children, riding in a canoe, and getting belly rubs. Pablo loves all kinds of water, and is a GREAT swimmer!

Partner
Partner is my name and I am a 4 year old bi-blue Shetland Sheepdog. I compete in agility and love going on therapy visits with mom. I am quite a calm boy, shy at times, but don't get me wrong...I can be full of life whether it be getting into mischief or playing with my soccer ball.

Reece
Hi there, my name is Reece.  I was born in Dec. 2009 and made the perfect Christmas puppy.  My Mom drove 7 hours to Iowa to get me and my sister Grace.  For entertainment I love herding my sister, cousins and let’s not forget those squirrels.  I try so hard but still haven't got one yet.   When I go for visits people are impressed that I'm such a calm Sheltie.    I hope I see you soon.

Reggie
Reggie is a busy Silky Terrier that was rescued from an overloaded house, and put to work as a friendly Therapy Dog visitor.

Riley
Hi! My name is Riley and I love listening to children read to me at the Aurora libraries.  I love to be outside; especially going for walks or hikes.  After a fun day, I enjoy curling up next to my “mom” for a little snooze.  

Ripley
Ripley is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Born in 2003, he weighs only 16 lbs. Like big spaniels Ripley loves to dig and to chase squirrels and rabbits. He loves to challenge BIG dogs to romp and play. Ripley's tail is always wagging, even when he's dancing on his back feet.

Rookie
Rookie is a rough coated collie was born in 2002 and has been a therapy dog for 6 years. He has made over 375 visits and he loves to make people smile.

Rosebud
Rosebud is a Shiloh Shepherd and was born in 1997.  She has been doing therapy dog work since she was three years old and enjoys going new places and meeting new people!   She used to travel all the way to Florida every two months to visit a nursing home for Alzheimer patients.  She is currently visiting schools and hospitals where she assists in physical therapy work.  She lives with lots of animals in her home with Richard Nye and Susan Brown and 6 other dogs including therapy dogs Sophia, Ziggy and Uma.

Roz
My name is Roz and I love visiting with people! I was born in Texas and grew up in Minnesota before moving to Illinois and I'm so glad I'm here! My favorite hobbies include playing with my brother Hugo, sun bathing and cuddling under a blanket.

Saphira
Saphira (we call her "Sara" for short) is a 9 year old, female Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane Cross. We got her from the Great Lakes Irish Wolfhound Rescue in April of 2009. She was owned by a couple in Kentucky for 8 years who loved her dearly and she grew up with Great Danes. The husband died unexpectedly and the wife was unable to keep Sara as she had to move to a smaller home. She was relatively unadoptable because of her age (8) and her size and the fact she was a mixed breed. Of course we took her on and worked over the last year with her to help her become a therapy dog! She lives with 4 other therapy dogs (Uma (retired), Ziggy, Rosebud and Sophia) and lots of other animals like llamas, alpacas, goats, ducks, chickens, tortoises and parrots. She is a gentle giant with her one blue and one brown eye and loves to be with people of all ages. Her two favorite activities in the world are....chasing a ball and lounging on the couch or bed...no hard floor for this girl! She passed her evaluation in the Spring of 2010 and she has enjoyed each visit since then!

Savannah
Savannah is my name and I am a 7 year old Great Pyrenees Golden Retriever rescue dog. I adore therapy work and love going to see children, they make me so happy! I have a bubbly personality and have no fear of anything. I enjoy just being a dog and living in the moment!

Shadow
Hi I'm Shadow Burke and I'm a Three year old black Labrador Retriever. My hobbies include swimming, going for long walks, and getting and giving as much love as I possibly can. I spend my time at the hospital making people smile, going to the library to let children read to me, and I get to go to a senior center to give my paw and do tricks for people.

Sophia
Sophia has been part of the dog therapy club for nearly 9 months and has had a hospice patient, hospital patients, school and library visits, veteran's home and nursing home visits in that time.  She's a very happy volunteer and will sit still as long as she continues to get attention.  She has lightened up many lives with her visits and will continue to do so into the year 2009.

Tilley

Toby
Toby is a Shih Tzu with several years of visiting.  Small in size, big of heart, and a bit of deviltry that will occasionally show up when there is an audience.

Wrigley B
Wrigley is a European Crème, Golden Retriever, born in August 2008. This mellow-fellow is a great Frisbee player, who also loves to swim.. Wrigley likes being a therapy dog best because of all the people he meets. And yes, he is a Cub fan!

Wrigley J
Wrigley is a funny and sweet Portuguese Water Dog, born in March 2008. His favorite pastimes are playing fetch and romping in the water, and enjoys it even more when he can do them at the same time! Wrigley enjoys pet therapy work, including visiting with his friends at the nursing home.

Ziggy
Ziggy is a small mixed breed dog, probably part french bulldog or Boston terrier and American staffordshire terrier.  He was wandering the streets of Joliet and was picked up by Joliet Animal Control and then adopted from the A.D.O.P.T. shelter. Ziggys full name is Ziggy Stardust Lafitte!  Ziggy loves to run the show!  He was probably born around 2005 and has been doing therapy dog work since 2007.  He has a lot of energy and loves to meet new people and dogs.  He brings smiles to all he visits with his big smile and no tail!  He lives with Richard Nye and Susan Brown and FVTDC dogs Uma, Rosebud and Sophia.