Winston

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.

Thandi

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.

Miya

Name: Miya     

Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Date of birth: 4 March 2008

Regular handler: Angie Thornton/ Bronwen Coghill

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.

Dieter

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.

Soames

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.

Lady

Name: Lady

Breed: Collie Cross

Adopted: 9 October 2000

Regular handler: Linda Gosnell

Background: Lady was rescued from the SPCA at age 6months. She started therapy work over 4 years ago after qualifying on July 4^th 2004, and is very upset if she has to be left at home when the blue jackets are put into the bag.

Fun Fact: Lady tells you with her paw which hand her treat is in.

Megan

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 4^th 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.

Skye

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 2^nd 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.

Thomas

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!

Jade

Name: Jade

Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Blenheim)

Date of birth: 13 July 2005

Regular handler: Kathy Webb

Background: I adopted Jade in July 2008 when her owner emigrated. She qualified as a Therapy Dog in April 2009 and particularly loves our visits to retirement homes. She has such a calm and gentle nature, but gets very excited when she hears the word “biscuits!”

Fun fact: Jade barks at animals on T.V!

April

Name:  April

Breed:  Pug

Date of birth: 17 February 2002

Regular handler:  Sarah van der Molen

Background:  April came from Port Alfred in the Cape when she was 8 weeks old.   April has been a therapy dog for over 4 years and enjoys all her visits.

Fun fact:  April is a very stubborn pug!

Alfie

Name:  Alfie

Breed:  Pug

Date of birth: 17 February 2002

Regular handler:  Sarah van der Molen

Background: I was very lucky to be given Alfie when his owners moved to Australia in December 2008.   Alfie is April's brother and, like her, really enjoys his visits.   He particularly enjoys visiting and working with children.

Fun fact:  Alfie is very 'vocal' and will tell me exactly how he feels and what he wants!

Danzi

Name: Danzi

Breed: Black Labrador (Female)

Date of birth: 2003

Regular handler: Doly Stiff

Background: From a breeder in Benoni. She was very nervous as a puppy but after some years of training she has become quieter (she received her K9 ‘Good Citizen’ certificate last month). She has a lovely nature and is a very friendly dog. She has not done any visits yet as she has just been assessed.

Fun Fact: Goes to training on a regular basis and loves scenting and retrieving.  Danzi’s strange name comes from my husband’s interest in Musicology- Danzi is a lesser known composer!

Tyla

Name: Tyla

Breed: Wire-Haired Dachshund/ Terrier Cross (Male)

Rescued: Mid July 2008 at approximately 3 months old

Regular handler: Bronwen

Background: Tyla was 3 months old when he was rescued from the Benoni SPCA in July 2008. He instantly made friends with our other Terrier cross, Shambles, and his best game is to have a high-speed chase after Shambles with an empty Coke bottle in his mouth! He passed his therapy dog assessment in February 2009, and is now learning what is required of therapy dogs at all the different visits we do. He especially loves little children.....and they love him.

Fun Fact: Tyla loves doing High Fives (paws to your hands) and Low Fives (paws to your feet).

Katie

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.

Danny Boy

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.

Sparticus

Name: Sparticus

Breed: Toy Pom cross Maltese

Date of birth: September 2007

Regular handler: Liz Neuwerth

Background: Sparticus is a small dog with a big personality.  He loves people and animals alike, so when Liz read about TOP DOGS in the newspaper she thought it was just the thing for both of them.

Fun Fact: His best friend is a cat.

Gemma

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…

Charlie

Name: Charlie

Breed: Boston Terrier

Date of Birth: 31 August 2006

Regular Handler: Jessie Dunn

Background: Charlie was a very tiny 9 week old when I got him.  He has a fantastic character- loves everything.  He started therapy work in August 2009 and he enjoys all his visits.  He also does obedience work at our local club.

Fun Fact: Charlie takes great delight jumping on my bed until I get up in the morning, and then he dives under the duvet for a nap.

Jodie

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".

Maverick

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.