Dog B.O.N.E.S. is an acronym for Dogs Building Opportunities for Nurturing and Emotional Support. Dog B.O.N.E.S. provides trained, affectionate, obedient, registered and insured therapy dog teams (dogs and handlers) for visits to nursing facilities, hospitals, rehab centers, shelters, schools, libraries - essentially any Massachusetts location where therapeutic contact is possible with the elderly, the disabled, and the young. All services are provided free and membership is open to anyone who shares in the purpose of Dog B.O.N.E.S and is willing to volunteer their own time and resources.

Jeanne explained why she decided to start Dog B.O.N.E.S. Her canine friend and companion is Sir Bentley Bear, a lovable 5-year old golden retriever. Bentley and Jeanne had been active with another dog therapy group and enjoyed visiting kindergarten kids throughout the state. As Jeanne recalled: "I could just feel the excitement when Bentley showed up for a visit!" Eventually, the team of Bentley & Jeanne received so many requests for visits they just couldn't keep up with demand. Neither could the dog therapy group they were affiliated with. So Jeanne decided to use her leadership, organizational and teaching skills to start a new all-volunteer group to help meet the need for dog therapy visits in Massachusetts.

Jeanne holds a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and a Bachelor's in Education and Disabilities. She has worked with kids with disabilities for over 25 years and loves the close interaction with the kids. Today she works professionally as an administrator for Community Teamwork Incorporated where she is Director of Budgets and Administrative Services for the Division of Child and Family Services. "I have one of the longest titles in the world," she said. Dog B.O.N.E.S. helps Jeanne maintain direct contact with kids - something she is very passionate about. And Bentley loves giving and receiving affection, as do all the other dogs that are part of the program.

Jeanne was fortunate to receive pro bono legal help from Bingham & McCutchen when she set up Dog B.O.N.E.S. as a non-profit entity. Under Jeanne's leadership Dog B.O.N.E.S has expanded very quickly. In just one year Dog B.O.N.E.S. has grown to over 100 dog and handler teams, a testimony to the dedication and effectiveness of the volunteers she trains and coordinates.

Getting certified by Dog B.O.N.E.S. is no rollover. As Goddess Granola learned, there is more to becoming a volunteer than having a friendly dog and a leash. Unless volunteers are already certified and active in another therapy dog organization they must complete a workshop designed and taught by Jeanne and pass a test before they can start to make visits. Our Goddess Granola reporter was invited to see one of these workshops in action and came away impressed by the commitment of the volunteers as well as Jeanne's high-quality instruction.

Dog B.O.N.E.S.' five week workshop: Introduction to Becoming a Therapy Dog Team, focuses on imparting a core set of skills the team must demonstrate in order to pass the Dog B.O.N.E.S. registration/observation test at the end of the course. The workshop includes an overview of the typical abilities and/or disabilities of people who are visited, including communication, mobility and social and emotional constraints. The dogs are exposed to noisy and distracting medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, compressors, etc., to desensitize them so they are not frightened during visits. Dogs practice their obedience skills over the five-week course.

As Jeanne said, "passing the test demands more than just a show of obedience. It's about dogs that simply love affection." Handlers must also demonstrate a clear understanding of the needs of the elderly, the disabled and the young in a variety of settings. Above all, the dog and handler must demonstrate that they work together as an effective, loving, nurturing team.

Most of us take dogs for granted. But according to Jeanne, "the one thing that never fails to light up the faces of the older people we visit is when they get to pet the dogs." Some of the dogs lay their heads down on the laps of those they are visiting and stay completely still as they are being petted. It obviously brings back many pleasant memories. "The unconditional love of a dog can be an incredible joy," said Jeanne.

The deep motivation of volunteers to "make a difference" was recently demonstrated when Therapy Dogs of Vermont and Dog B.O.N.E.S. teamed up to help make a wish come true for a small boy named Ryan. Ryan is 7-years old and terminally ill with cancer. What he wanted most was a dog.

Ryan came to the attention of Therapy Dogs of Vermont when his social worker contacted them. Members of Therapy Dogs of Vermont and Dog B.O.N.E.S. of Massachusetts pooled personal resources to help identify and pay for a pup that would be a good match for Ryan and his family. A few weeks ago Ryan met his new puppy for the first time. The pup was brought to the hospital and sat happily in Ryan's lap looking up at him. Ryan is at home now with the pup he named "Star." Said Andrea Lyons, CEG of Goddess Granola: "In our book Ryan is a star, and so are the volunteers who became his friends!"

Some of the volunteers have professional careers as speech therapists, physical therapists, ministers, teachers and counselors. Often it was their profession that first introduced them to the physiological benefits of dog therapy. Others simply heard about the service or saw it done. Whatever their path to becoming therapy dog team volunteers, Jeanne is adamant in saying: "It's a privilege to work with such wonderful people."

Goddess Granola proudly recognizes the dedication and contribution of Jeanne Brouillette, president and founder of Dog B.O.N.E.S.- Therapy Dogs of Massachusetts. We also take this opportunity to recognize and honor the volunteers (dogs and handlers) and corporate supporters of Dog B.O.N.E.S.

Please take a moment to visit <http://www.therapydog.info/index.htm> to learn more about Dog B.O.N.E.S. According to Andrea, CEG of Goddess Granola, "even small donations go a long way with this non-profit. After all, the dogs might ask for a dog bone every now and then - otherwise they work for nothing. Their human friends are 100% volunteers too." Donations cover expenses like insurance, I.D. tags and bandanas for the dogs, I.D. cards for the handlers (no bandanas for them), office supplies, Internet access and an annual membership picnic for the dogs and their human friends.

Have fun! Treat yourself to a "dog bone" and send a small donation to: