Therapy dog certification and insurance

I spoke with A. on Tuesday and it was mentioned that A. does not have a certification on file for Patch, my dog.  I explained to A. that while my dog was at one time certified as a pet therapy dog through Therapy Dog, Inc. based in Wyoming and tested by a professor in the Rec and Leisure department at USM during 2010, the certification lapsed because I did not pay the fees.

However, I assume that all the certification is good for is that the dog is insured during visits.  Whereas I will be incorporating my dog into a W2 or 1099 position, Therapy Dog Inc. does not insure the certification of a dog at a W2 or 1099 work situation, only if a dog is volunteering.

So, since I am to be a paid employee utilising a therapy dog and that is the plan, I called my insurance company out of South Paris about insurance for my working therapy dog in the unlikely event that something goes awry.  I am waiting for the insurance agent to call me back.  

I explained everything to the insurance agent and directed the insurance agent to the nature of Patch and my work in volunteering and potentially working in a W2 by providing the peersponsorship.blogspot.com URL to which the insurance agent navigated while on the phone to me stating to me that essentially what my dog and I do is visit children and the elderly and that she had to factor how much it would cost in insurance to utilise a therapy dog in a W2 or 1099 position visiting people.

Updated Letter to MV:

"Peer Support with Therapy Dog & Sponsorship" is my concept of what I would like to do as paid employment.  In 2010, I attend training in Augusta to be a Certified Peer Support Specialist and in the same year, 2010, undergo training sessions with my dog "Patch" to certify Patch as a therapy dog. "Patch, the dog," is the only dog out of the group of dogs who passes tests proctored by a professor in the Recreation and Leisure Department at the University of Southern Maine.

Patch and myself visit a children's ward in a hospital once per week for a six month duration during 2010 and also visit six different retirement facilities in the State of Maine between 2010 and 2013 for a total of logged visits at about 75 visits to different facilities.  PSWTD is not new to me as during 1998-1999, my previous dog "Russ" and myself visit a retirement facility in West paris, ME once per week for approximately one year. 

The "sponsorship" part of the PSWTD is also my brainchild as a way to help pay for expenses related to the dog's well being and performing the visits.  "Sponsorship" consists of soliciting contributions from people in the community for visits.  While I manage to solicit some funds for Patch and my visits from some people, it is difficult to solicit contributions without the ability to issue a tax deductible receipt.  To issue a tax deductible receipt for contributions (as I find out), I must form a 501c organisation or else be sponsored by a 501c organisation.  Unfortunately, I am neither able to form a 501c nor secure a W2 or 1099 position with a 501c so as to be able to issue a tax deductible receipt for contributions.

Further and on the broader subject of what is and is not considered a "therapy dog," there are inconsistencies with what one organisation considers a therapy dog from another organisation due to the fact that there is no national registry of therapy dogs.  

For example, of the six retirement facilities that I visit in the State of Maine over the years: staff at facilities have different requirements for therapy dogs.  At one facility in Portland, ME upon initial visiting, staff does not require any paper work so that I insist that staff photocopy my ID and the dog's shot records.  Other facilities only require the dog's shot records and I always insist that staff photocopy my ID.  No facility requires that a dog undergo training in pet therapy for certification.  The 501c that offers the certificate in pet therapy is in Wyoming, USA.  Probably the most absurd anomaly about the system for registering a pet therapy dog is that the City of Portland and the University of Southern Maine only consider a dog a pet therapy dog if a doctor signs a note in spite of a current pet therapy dog certificate in training, which leaves me wondering if I could have a doctor sign a note for a pet therapy duck: as to the sense it makes to me about what a doctor knows concerning dogs.

Lastly, PSWTD is an act that my dog and I perform on visits with the objective of spreading good humour, smiles, warm feelings, witty quips and a generally good time in what might otherwise be a low point in the peoples' lives whom we visit.  Two examples are of Patch on a 95yo patient's bedside whose reaction to Patch on her bed was a wide grin and probably the only utterance the 95yo could utter, which is an "aaaawww" while petting Patch for at least ten minutes during the visit.  Another visit is at a children's ward at a hospital and a child of four or five is outside, but must go "potty" before he is able to pet the dog.  The boy races in the go "potty" at behest of staff orders and emerges from his room on the ward to see Patch, the dog, with his knees buckling in ecstatic excitement to pet Patch.

Finally, I look forward to an endeavour whereby I may incorporate my therapy dog Patch into paid employment working with a variety of individuals in the community: especially the elderly, homeless and refugee populations bearing in mind different peoples' reactions or perspectives of dogs and whether Patch and I are an accepted modality by a client or another for what the objective of Peer Support w/ Therapy Dog is: spreading good humour, smiles, warm feelings, witty quips and a generally good time in what might otherwise be a low point in the peoples' lives whom we visit.

Thank you, –JSB–

RE: "Peer Support w/ Therapy Dog & Sponsorship"

RE: "Peer Support w/ Therapy Dog & Sponsorship"
PO BOX 5049, Portland, ME 04101;
207-200-4370;
"j.s.b.1973.2012@gmail.com" (PayPal email) http://peersponsorship.blogspot.com

To Potential Sponsor(s) / Employer(s):

Peer support w/ Therapy Dog consists of visiting retirement facilities and facilities of need: such as children's wards providing comfort and entertainment in an act like atmosphere, accompanied by my trained, pet therapy dog.  I perform an "act" for an hour (per visit) dressed as a clown (or otherwise appropriate for occasion) with my trained, pet therapy dog who is also dressed for a part, which in turn provides comfort and entertainment to those in need of companionship: i.e. need for a 'pet' and/or an empathetic ear.

Visiting facilities of need is rewarding work and Patch, the dog and I have performed about 75 visits since 2010.  (My previous dog and I also performed visits).  However, my trained, pet therapy dog and I have need of community solicited contributions that are tax deductible with receipts for those who contribute to our visits.  A reason for soliciting visit funds is costs of Patch at the Vet, transport, my act, dog food consumed every year and "unforeseen misfortune insurance:” both for myself as “handicap” and for "Patch, the dog."

In order to solicit tax deductible contributions via various platforms for Peer Support w/ Therapy Dog & Sponsorship whereby my therapy dog and I visit facilities of need providing comfort and entertainment to citizens in an otherwise incapacitated and/or isolated state of living: I have to either establish a non-profit 501c or be employed on a "W-2 or 1099 IRS” basis by a 501c, non-profit organization (or, private to public entity employment) interested in developing "Peer Support w/ Therapy Dog & Sponsorship" as a project.

I propose that {organization(s)/individual(s)} sponsor my trained, pet therapy dog and me as W-2 and/or 1099 compliant employees so that I am able to solicit contributions with tax deductible receipts via various platforms in community speech and/or earn a W-2 for visits through public or private entity employment means.

In turn, my dog and I will visit with a goal of five hours per week to facilities of need in and around our community at a nominal project rate under auspices of "Peer Support w/ Therapy Dog & Sponsorship" and agreement as "Peers" in a 1099 or W-2 sponsorship employ.

Please contact me at the above addresses and number about sponsorship employment.  Thanks!  -JB-

Introduction:

• Business Name: PS w THERAPY DOG & SPONSORSHIP
• Account Type: Business
• Status: Verified

PAYPAL EMAIL: j.s.b.1973.2012@gmail.com  

Have you ever wanted to donate to a worthy cause without recognition or anonymously or even in another person or organization's name?  You can here!  Of course, you can also donate and request your name be printed on the donating check ...

My name is 'Shirley:' I am founder of, "Peer Support w/ Therapy Dog & Sponsorship, Co."

Albeit, Patch and me are not a non-profit 501c organization, but our work is very much non-profit.  Patch and me are working with a Federally Funded Career Center to be a 501c organization, as of September 2012.

About Patch and me: I adopted Patch in 2008 from a Humane Society and he is a well-trained and well-mannered 24lbs. rat terrier.  Patch is not the first dog with which I have visited facilities for therapy.  “Russ” the dog, who passed on March 17th, 2008, visited an assisted living facility for a time in 1999.

I have worked in numerous occupations including a University setting and as a guide/driver for the visually impaired.  Having Worked with a 'State of Maine Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor,' my therapy dog visits are approved by the 'State of Maine' as a "viable community resource."

http://pswtdsco.blogspot.com/ is where I will be soliciting funds for my donating to such entities as deemed appropriate by myself <and my staff of {2}, but I'm getting ahead of myself on the staff part> ... entities, such as ...
1. Animal Shelters and Animal Rehabilitation Facilities
2. Senior Retirement Communities
3. "Children Homes"
4. "Women's Shelters"
5. Organic Farms
6. Cultural Programs
7. Emerging Music Groups
8. Addiction/Disease Treatment Center(s)

... through which: I would intend to "pocket" approximately 10%, OR, 9.99% ,OR, $0.99¢ for every $10 collected and transferred through my bank account at Town and Country Bank with a Federal EIN #.

If you would be so kind and mail your check or money order to PS w/ Therapy Dog & Sponsorship, PO BOX 5049, Portland, ME 04102 or if you have further questions: feel free to call or text me at the number below.

Thanks, and a remember: "a good deed done another without possibility of payback is a good deed, indeed!"

-Shirley-
mailto:jsb_20@yahoo.com
+1-207-200-4370 (anytime)

PO Box 5049  Portland, ME  04101
Opened 3/28/2012  $47.

• Business Name: PS w THERAPY DOG & SPONSORSHIP
• Account Type: Business
• Status: Verified

DOUBLE GINGER HISTORY:

http://soundcloud.com/james-shirley-barnes/ps-w-therapy-dog-sponsorship

http://DOUBLEGINGER.BLOGSPOT.COM

http://PSWTDSCO.BLOGSPOT.COM

--------------------------------------------------------------
RE: Peer Support with Therapy Dog & Sponsorship
--------------------------------------------------------------
To whom it may concern:

My certified therapy dog and I are developing “Peer Support with Therapy Dog” visits at hospitals and assisted living facilities and plan to work at least two hours per day/five days per week on visits.

Currently, my dog and I are strictly volunteers.  However, there are costs involved such as mileage to and from facilities, toys for the visits, “dog t-shirts,” Vet bills, dog food and time spent visiting.

My proposal is to solicit sponsorship for the aforementioned costs from individuals or organizations with records of visits catalogued and submitted to sponsors.

Albeit, Patch and I are not a non-profit 501c organization, but our work is very much non-profit.

About Patch and me: I adopted Patch in 2008 from a Humane Society and he is a well-trained and well-mannered 24 lbs. rat terrier.  Patch is not the first dog with which I have visited facilities for therapy.  “Russ” the dog, who passed in 2008, visited an assisted living facility for a time in 1999.

I have worked in numerous occupations including a university setting and as a guide/driver for the visually impaired.  Working with a State of Maine vocational rehabilitation counselor, my therapy dog visits are approved by the State of Maine as a viable community resource.

About sponsorship: innovative ideas to advertise sponsors during therapy dog visits such as decals on t-shirts worn while working that represent the sponsor and/or some aspect of animal “adopt, respect, love” can and will be negotiated.

So, if there is an individual or organization that would like to sponsor the purpose Patch and I intend to fulfill, feel free to contact me anytime @ 2072004370 or at the addresses above.  Thank you,

-Shirley & Patch-


SPONSORS TO DATE:
4/12/10 Reanna St. P. (1) t-shirt
6/01/10 Eliza B. (3) t-shirts
6/18/10 Molly A. Petco gift certificate $50
6/20/10 Eric H.-M. $10 cash dog sponsor
6/23/10 Brackett Street Vet Clinic (1) Frontline
6/26/10 Jessica J. gift certificate $30
6/28/10 Deborah G. $50 check sponsor
6/29/10 Linda L. $50 cash sponsor
7/2/10 John C. $20 cash sponsor
7/6/10 Angela K. $5 cash sponsor
7/6/10 Susan C. $20 cash sponsor
7/6/10 Anonymous $5 cash sponsor
8/1/10 Barbara H. $25 Petco certificate
8/20/10 Phebe E. $50 Petco certificate
8/21/10 Gulf Express Mart Portland $10 cash sponsor
8/21/10 JSB donated $10 to NH Humane Society
7/21/10- 9/1/10 JSB donated four plush toys to 'residents:' $40 value

Posted by JSB at 8:51 AM 0 comments  


SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2010



SEND donations to:
–SHIRLEY–
PS w/ THERAPY DOG & SPONSORSHIP, Co.
PO BOX 5049
Portland, ME 04101
2072004370




RE: Community Development Program: funding applicant (City of Portland)

To whom it may concern:

Some volunteers have an income, are involved in some endeavor, and do not need support from an agency for their efforts. I have very little income and, therefore, am applying for a grant to assist my efforts in volunteering.

With a letter(s) of sponsorship from a non-profit(s) and a statement by a volunteer outlining the "energies" spent per task, an applicant may be eligible for a "civic service volunteer stipend" from the Community Development Program fund.

The focus of the program is on arts, neighborhood watches, cleaning (graffiti, etc.) hospice work and other innovative ideas for the benefit of the community.  My dog, Patch, and I are active in “Peer Support With Therapy Dog & Sponsorship”. We visit assisted living facilities in Portland four days per week where we interact with people from 70 to 90 years-old who are in hospice-type programs, and we visit hospitalized children once a week.

The work that we do is recognized within the medical community as contributing positively to end-stage life expectancy as well as providing joy and smiles to those who wish to receive us (98% of patients and residents). The children we visit are similarly comforted by the experience of interacting with a dog and a person uninvolved in their medical care.

In sum, what the volunteer job entails is a beaming attitude and a sense of "casual talk" as well as a few props, such as dog toys and a vehicle for transport to and from facilities.

The total dollar value of the service that Patch and I provide is $2,550/per year, broken down as follows: Labor, $1,750 (250 hours @ $7/hour);  car mileage, $400 (1,000 miles @ $.40/mile); veterinary services, $400; dog food/toys/ outfits, $500; dog insurance, $300.

In conclusion, what I request is a "civic service volunteer stipend" to be granted by the city from the Community Development Program fund for "Peer Support w/ Therapy Dog & Sponsorship."  Please view our Dog Log at the above URL.

Thank you for your kind consideration,


(-Shirley and Patch-)

Posted by JSB at 5:14 PM 0 comments  


WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2010
DOG LOG

57 hours logged as of 9/9/10 since 4/13/10

4/13/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
4/20/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
4/27/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
5/11/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
5/18/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
5/25/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
6/1/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
6/8/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
6/15/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
6/18/10 1 hr Ledgeview Assisted Living W. Paris 81 miles
6/21/10 1 hr Portland Assisted Living Portland 1 mile
6/22/10 0 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 0 miles sick
6/23/10 1 hr The Cedar's Assisted Living Portland 6 miles
6/24/10 1 hr Seaside Assisted Living Portland 5 miles
6/25/10 1 hr Ledgeview Assisted Living W. Paris 81 miles
6/28/10 1 hr Portland Assisted Living Portland 1 mile
6/29/10 0 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles canceled until 7/6/10
6/30/10 1 hr The Cedar's Assisted Living Portland 6 miles
7/1/10 0 hr Seaside Assisted Living Portland 0 miles sick
7/2/10 1 hr Ledgeview Assisted Living W. Paris 81 miles
7/5/10 1 hr Portland Assisted Living Portland 1 mile
7/6/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
7/7/10 1 hr The Cedar's Assisted Living Portland 6 miles
7/8/10 1 hr Seaside Assisted Living Portland 5 miles
7/9/10 1 hr Ledgeview Assisted Living W. Paris 81 miles
7/12/10 0 hr Portland Assisted Living Portland 0 miles sick
7/13/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
7/14/10 1 hr The Cedar's Assisted Living Portland 6 miles
7/14/10 1 hr Portland Assisted Living Portland 1 mile
7/15/10 1 hr Seaside Assisted Living Portland 5 miles
7/16/10 1 hr Ledgeview Assisted Living W. Paris 81 miles
7/19/10 1 hr Portland Assisted Living Portland 1 mile
7/20/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
7/21/10 1 hr The Cedar's Assisted Living Portland 6 miles
7/22/10 1 hr Seaside Assisted Living Portland 5 miles
7/23/10 1 hr Ledgeview Assisted Living W. Paris 81 miles
7/26/10 1 hr Portland Assisted Living Portland 1 mile
7/27/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
7/28/10 0 hr The Cedar's Assisted Living Portland 0 miles sick
7/29/10 1 hr Seaside Assisted Living Portland 5 miles
7/30/10 1 hr Ledgeview Assisted Living W. Paris 81 miles
8/2/10 1 hr Portland Assisted Living Portland 1 mile
8/3/10 0 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 0 miles sick
8/4/10 1 hr The Cedar's Assisted Living Portland 6 miles
8/5/10 1 hr Seaside Assisted Living Portland 5 miles
8/6/10 1 hr Ledgeview Assisted Living W. Paris 81 miles
8/9/10 1 hr Portland Assisted Living Portland 1 mile
8/10/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
8/11/10 1 hr The Cedar's Assisted Living Portland 6 miles
8/12/10 1 hr Seaside Assisted Living Portland 5 miles
8/13/10 0 hr Ledgeview Assisted Living W. Paris 0 miles sick
8/16/10 1 hr Portland Assisted Living Portland 1 mile
8/17/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
8/18/10 1 hr The Cedar's Assisted Living Portland 6 miles
8/19/10 0 hr Seaside Assisted Living Portland 0 miles sick
8/20/10 1 hr Ledgeview Assisted Living W. Paris 81 miles
8/23/10 1 hr Portland Assisted Living Portland 1 mile
8/24/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Portland 9 miles
8/25/10 1 hr The Cedar's Assisted Living 6 miles
8/26/10 1 hr Seaside Assisted Living 5 miles
8/27/10 1 hr Ledgeview Assisted Living 81 miles
8/30/10 - 9/3/10 vacation week
9/6/10 1 hr Portland Assisted Living Portland 1 mile
9/7/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
9/8/10 1 hr The Cedar's Assisted Living Portland 6 miles
9/9/10 1 hr Seaside Assisted Living Portland 5 miles
9/10/10 1 hr Ledgeview Assisted Living W. Paris 81 miles
9/13/10 1 hr Portland Assisted Living Portland 1 mile
9/14/10 0 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 0 miles
9/15/10 1 hr The Cedar's Assisted Living 6 miles
9/16/10 sick
9/17/10 sick
9/20/10 sick
9/21/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
10/9/10 1 hr Spring Harbor Westbrook 9 miles
02/22/13 1 hr Fallbrook Woods 8.2 miles
03/01/13 1 hr Portland Assisted Living 2 miles
03/15/13 1 hr Portland Assisted Living 2 miles
03/29/13 1 hr Portland Assisted Living 2 miles
05/17/13 1 hr Portland Assisted Living 2 miles
05/24/13 1 hr Portland Assisted Living 2 miles

PSWTDSCO ACCOUNTING:

http://soundcloud.com/james-shirley-barnes/ps-w-therapy-dog-sponsorship

http://DOUBLEGINGER.BLOGSPOT.COM

http://PSWTDSCO.BLOGSPOT.COM


$47.OO P.O. BOX FOR 6 MONTHS

$31.48 200 BUSINESS CARDS

$25.OO DEPOSIT AT T&C BANK

PURPOSE:

TO SOLICIT $100.oo incremented DONATIONS TO THE BUSINESS OF HTTP://PSWTDSCO.BLOGSPOT.COM
http://doubleginger.blogspot.com
@ PO BOX 5049, PORTLAND, MAINE 04101
WHERE THE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER WILL BE DEPOSITED
at T&C BANK WITH 90.01% in turn DONATED to A NON-PROFIT .ORG
LEAVING $9.99 FOR me (Shirley) minus $3.oo for a bank check to send to the non-profit.
So, $87.01 WILL BE DONATED to a NON-Profit via US MAIL and T&C bank check
FOR EVERY $100$ DONATED.
ACCOUNTING WILL BE HERE AND REF. TO DONATOR IN THE MEMO ON THE CHECK(s).
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DONATIONS AND ACCOUNTING TO DATE:
-----------------------------------------------------------
1. 4/21/12 - Clare B. - $40.OO donated & deposited - $3.99 for me - $33.01 donated to NON-profit.

2. 5/29/12 - Phebe E. - $50 deposited - $4.99 for me - $3.00 for bank check - $42.01 for donation: