As former owner and CEO of her own marketing and training
company, Judy has taken her passion for animals and to help others to
experience the rewarding world of pet therapy. Kizzy, certified by Therapy Dogs
Inc. and Judy have worked with children at: Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Hospital, Orangeburg, NY; with
adults at St. Vincent’s Hospital,
Harrison, NY and are currently working with patients at Helen Hayes Rehabilitation Hospital, W.
Haverstraw, NY; they do reading programs with children at the Hastings Public Library,
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, Pearl River Public Library, Pearl River, NY, Tappan
Library, Tappan, NY and in the
Nanuet School District as part of their
After School Enrichment Program. There have been numerous articles written
about the work they do and both Kizzy and Judy have appeared on WABC Eyewitness News and in Ladies Home Journal. She teaches
courses on How to Get Involved with Pet Therapy and R.E.A.D.®
at Westchester Community College
in Valhalla, NY.
and is an active member of the
Humane Society of the United
States. Judy and Kizzy are honorary members of First Book. A national organization
where children from low income families have the opportunity to read and own
their first books.
“We adopted
Kizzy from the NY Bichon
Rescue. Soon after I brought Kizzy home, it was time to take pictures. My
mom had a stroke two years prior and although she had extensive therapy
she was not able to move her right arm or hand. Her speech was hardly
audible. I placed Kizzy on my mom's lap for a pose. She held him with her left
hand and started stroking him with her right! This was happening while I was
taking the picture! I asked her if she realized what she was doing and she said
ever so clearly, "Of course, I do, I'm petting Kizzy!" I was watching
a miracle unfold. Although, still very weak, she can use a walker and her
muscles are once again being developed! A few days after that, I saw something in Kizzy that was unusual. He sat with my mom while she
would try to read a magazine and he appeared to be listening to her!The power this little
dog has can never be measured. That was the beginning of our story. I never
realized that we would be such a very important part in changing numerous
lives.”
