|
 |
 |
 |
|
Name: Winston
Breed: Chow X
Rescued: May 2002
at
approximately
1 year
old
Regular handler: Angie Thornton
Background: Winston was rescued from the Benoni SPCA, and in
those days he was a real hooligan. He started therapy work in March
2004. He's now very calm and is a big hit, especially with the old
ladies.
Fun Fact: He's a real gentleman and will give a bow to the
ladies.
|
Name: Thandi
Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Date of birth: 11 May 2006
Regular handler: Angie Thornton
Background: We were on the waiting list for 2 years before we
got Thandi as a puppy. She started Therapy puppy visits at 11 weeks
old, and just loved going to new places and meeting new people.
She passed her assessment in January 2007, aged 8 months. She loves
all types of visits.
Fun Fact: She's a real character and likes to 'talk' and 'sing'
to those we visit.
|
Name:
Miya
Breed:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Date of birth:
4 March 2008
Regular handler:
Angie Thornton
Background:
Like all Cavaliers Miya is very friendly and wants to say 'hello' to
all we meet, whether they have two legs or four! She passed her
assessment in October 2008. She's so keen to do visits; it's difficult
to get into the car without her whenever I'm wearing my uniform.
Fun Fact:
She's still learning tricks, but she loves to be cuddled.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Name: Dieter
Breed: Miniature
Schnauzer
Date of birth:
2006
Regular handler:
Jenny Marett
Background:
Dieter is a German breed of dog. He was born in Pretoria and came to
me at 10 weeks old. He began his therapy work at 11 months of age.
His characteristic beard and eyebrows attract much attention by both
the adults and children that he visits. He is always very keen “to go
to work”.
Fun fact: Dieter
loves to give kisses and is able to dance in circles on his hind
legs. He is an avid bird watcher.
|
Name: Soames
Breed: Bassett Hound
Date of birth: 20 October 2006
Regular handler: Stevie Ancient
Background: Soames was the last in
the litter- too spotty. Our luck. Soames has some lovely
ways about him. He loves nothing better on visits to find a
comfortable rug and go to sleep. He also loves to be touched and
hugged.
Fun fact: when a telephone rings
Soames joins in with an almighty bay. |
Name: Jessy
Breed: Miniature Schnauzer
Date of Birth: 27 April 2009
Regular Handler: Chantell Moss
Background: The very first day I
met Jessy (at the age of 8 weeks) we bonded instantly. She
started her formal training at Puppy Scholle when she was 10 weeks
old. Jessy received her K9 Good Citizen Certificate in August
2010. She enjoys participating in fun walks and competitions.
Her latest hobby is learning to do canine freestyling (doggy dancing).
Fun Fact:
Jessy can open and close the kitchen cupboard on command. Her
favourite tricks are spinning, doing a bow and a high '5'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Name: Jodie
Breed:
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Date of Birth: January 2009
Regular Handler:
Doly Stiff
Background:
Jodie
passed her assessment and completed and passed her six probationary
visits in
March 2010.
Hopefully she will go from strength to strength. She is a very
friendly little dog both with other dogs and people. She goes to dog
training once a week and has done
so
since
she was 10 weeks old. So as you can imagine she is very well
socialized.
Fun Fact: Jodie is being taught to
give "high fives".
|
Name: Maverick
Breed: German Shepard
Date of Birth: 2004
Regular Handler: Lynn Martin
Background:
His mum got him at a pet shop and
doesn't regret it for a minute. He qualified as a therapy dog
early 2010, loves it, and is even getting used to all the baths.
Fun Fact:
Maverick is a bit of a Houdini and
climbs chicken wire fences, and will open most doors even ones with
round turn handles, a problem when you are trying to keep the other
dogs in.
|
Name:
Megan
Breed:
Border Collie
Adopted:
3
May
2003
Regular handler:
Linda Gosnell
Background:
Megan was also rescued from the SPCA at approx 18 months old and
qualified along with Lady on 4th July 2004. She has been
doing therapy work for over 4 years now and is a big hit with the
children and old alike.
Fun Fact:
Megan likes to give you a high five.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Name:
Skye
Breed:
Shetland/Border Collie Cross
Adopted:
31
October
2007
Regular handler:
Maureen Smales
Background:
Skye is another rescued dog who has found a family to truly love her.
Skye qualified to be a therapy dog on the 2nd February
2007, and is always eager to join her sisters on visits to hospitals,
schools, and old age homes. She adores her sisters above and her
therapy handler Maureen, but is not very happy when thunder storms are
near.
Fun Fact:
Skye just loves to be fussed and combed.
|
Name: Thomas
Breed:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Tri-colour)
Date of adoption:
2004 at approximately 18 months old
Regular handler:
Kathy Webb
Background: I
adopted Thomas in about 2004 and know very little about his
background, except that he was not given the kind of attention that he
deserves. He has been a Therapy Dog since 2006 and LOVES meeting
new admirers! Thomas is deaf and sometimes helps people dealing
with disabilities as they can identify with him.
Fun fact:
Thomas can spend ages chasing butterflies!
|
Name: Katie
Breed: Miniature Schnauzer
Date of birth: 18 May 2006
Regular handler: Jan Ebersohn
Background: Katie was born in
Pretoria and came to us at 11 weeks old. She began obedience
training at 12 weeks and continues doing so. She loves children
and enjoys all visits.
Fun Fact: Katie loves the outdoors. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Name: Danny Boy
Breed: Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel
Date of birth: 21 July 2004
Regular handler: Angie Thornton
Background: Danny Boy was imported
from Ireland as a show dog. He wasn't able to be a stud dog, so
he was very kindly donated to me to become a therapy dog. He is
loving his new life, and brings so much joy to those he meets.
Fun Fact: Danny Boy can walk very
upright on his hind legs. |
Name: Gemma
Breed: Great Dane
Date of Birth: 5 July 2008
Regular Handler: Karen Walters
Background: Gemma is a very sweet
and gentle giant. She loves to play and have fun with anybody but she
especially loves little girls and small dogs. She is also crazy about
running in open fields and jumping in puddles, it seems to bring the
‘nutcase’ out in her. One thing that makes her unique is the variety
of tricks she knows and at the simple cost of a doggy treat she’ll do
any of them on command.
Fun Fact: She has the amazing
ability to fall asleep almost anywhere… |
Name: Google
Breed:
Jack Russell cross
Date of Birth:
Regular Handler: Lynn Martin
Background:
We rescued Google and her sister,
Twiggy, from a bad man at the side of the road in approximately 2005.
They were supposed to be vetted and homed but it wasn't long before
the two 'miscreant bratletts' won our hearts.
Fun Fact:
She's a real softie, loves having her
tummy rubbed and only discovered she was a ratter a year ago. She
sleeps in my son's bed at night and we are convinced she's scared of
the dark.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Name: Poppet
Breed: Pug
Date of Birth: 6 April 2006
Regular Handler: Sarah van der
Molen
Background:
Poppet is
the daughter of two Top Dog therapy pugs – Mowgli and April.
Poppet is a breed and carting champion and enjoys all
her work.
Fun Fact:
Poppet is known as my ‘Velcro Pug’ as she is always as
close to me as possible!
|
Name: Brutus
Breed: Rottweiler/ Labrador mix
Date of Birth: 2004
Regular Handler: Erna du Toit
Background: Brutus was rescued from
the street as a dog of nearly two years. He only weighed 16kg
then, and was scared of everything. He now weighs 42kg and is a
real softie.
Fun Fact: Among his many talents,
Brutus has ten toys that he can fetch by name! |
Name: Penny
Breed: Labrador
Date of Birth: 7 January 2009
Regular Handler: Andrea Forrester
Background: We feel in love with
Penny the instant we got her. She has turned out to be a
wonderful family pet, brilliant with children, and good with older
folks too.
Fun Fact: Penny loves her teddy and
carries it around most places. She also loves to lie on her back
showing off her gorgeous pink tummy. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Name: Curly
Breed: Cocker-Poo
Date of Birth: 15 July 2009
Regular Handler: Gillian Cann
Background: Curly's mother is a
very adorable Poodle and his father a champion Cocker Spaniel.
Curly came into our lives as a tiny puppy when we were looking for a
mature dog to adopt after losing our two beloved dogs to bone cancer.
Fun Fact: Curly took ownership of
William our white cat on his arrival with us, ate my slippers and
enjoys playing tug of war. |
Name: Dash
Breed: Border Collie
Date of Birth:
Regular Handler: Lynda Redman
Background: Dash was made up into a
Dog Jumping Champion, we competed weekly in Agility countrywide, and
he also became a Grand Flyball Champion in 2010. Unfortunately due to
a cruciate ligament op his, and my 10 year career came to a very
abrupt halt. So now with spare time on our hands, plus the
inquisitive Border Collie mind we decided to give back to the
community and bring a little joy to those less fortunate than us.
Fun Fact: Dash is always, always
keen for a ride in the bakkie and especially a long walk off lead
where he can swim and chase birds.
|
Name: Jasper
Breed: Chocolate Roan English Cocker Spaniel
Regular Handler: Irving Cann
Background: His unusual chocolate colour is definitely an eye
catcher and folks just love his soulful eyes and long silky ears.
Fun Fact: Jasper is learning fast that if he sits up straight in front
of a nice lady or gentleman he will get a tidbit (so who says that bribery
doesn't pay!). |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Name: Frank
Breed: Pug
Date of Birth: 6 April 2006
Regular Handler: Sarah van der
Molen
Background:
Frank enjoys his therapy work and loves people. He is Poppet's
litter brother.
Fun Fact:
Frank loves
food and has to watch his weight!
|
Name: Zack
Breed: Siberian Husky
Rescued: March 2011 (at approximately 2
years old)
Regular Handler: Lisa Fawkes
Background: I went to see him at the
Kempton Park SPCA where he had been for 2 months after being picked up on
the street and not claimed. Spent a few days visiting him there
and found we had a huge bond.
Fun Fact: He is not one for showing
off, but is a gentle sole that is incredibly kind and loving. He
gets so excited spreading Smiles for Miles.
|
Name:
Kandas
Breed: Miniature Schnauzer
Date of birth: 22 June 2010
Regular handler: Amieke Bourbon
Background: I waited for Kandas and her sister Karlien for two
years. They came to us as little bundles of fur at 6 weeks old. Even then
I knew Kandas had a special gift. Kandas
passed her Puppy Socialization Class at 3 months old and her instructor
encouraged us to try out for Top Dogs. My wonderful child passed her
assessment on June 26, 2011, and qualified to be a Top Dog therapy dog on
September 20,2011. It was a proud day for us all.
Kandas is a favourite at
Irene Homes and she loves the attention she gets from the wonderfully
loving residents of Irene homes. They call her by name and she is patient
and loving with them.
Fun Fact:
Kandas does not jump on the furniture but her sister Karlien takes great
pleasure in lounging on the sofa. Kandas, being the smart cookie that she
is, tries to keep her sister off the couch and this usually turns into a
jumping bouncing game with fun to be had by all.
Kandas also knows well how to get attention. She has
trained me to stroke her when she squeaks her toys and if I am being
disobedient, she bumps my hand with her head. |
|
|
|
|
|
Name: Gigi
Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
(Blenheim)
Date of birth:
18 April 2005
Regular Handler: Kathy Webb
Background: Gigi came into my life in
June 2011. She was much loved by her former owner, but as one of
many cavaliers, her owner felt she deserved more attention and was sure
she would be a perfect TOP Dogs Therapy Dog. Well, Gigi loves her
job and can't wait to meet new people. Even when we go for walks,
she has to say hello to everyone we see along the way. She has such
a gentle and loving nature that most people can't resist a cuddle.
Fun Fact: Gigi has learned to do a
ballerina twirl, for a treat of course!
|
|
|
