Sandy Springs reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 2007-current, January 25, 2013, Image 21

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Sandy Springs reporter., January 25, 2013, Image 21

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Newspaper Page TextPET REPORTER Pet therapy program brings smiles, love to those in need BUD. MOOR Her leash taut with anticipation and her tail wagging wildly, 3-year-old Am- berley pulled her owner into a hallway at the Plantation South Assisted Living home in Dunwoody. Resident Sarah Baker gingerly ma neuvered her walker one step at a time and spotted Amberly. Baker then was all smiles and Amberley was all affection. “This is the best part of the week for me,” Baker said. “I used to have a Rott weiler I loved. I look forward to this be cause it’s so special.” Amberley, a 3-year-old Hungarian bird dog, is certified as a service dog and constant companion to Doris Beardsley, who recently recovered from spinal sur- gery. Amberley also is a member of the Pet Therapy Program at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church in Brookhav- en, which has trained 72 dogs since 2009, eight of them specializing in vis its to three nursing homes. Amberley has already made 17 visits to Plantation South. Preston Bentley is another Amberley fan who’s been at Plantation South for two years. “I have lots of free time here and she’s a nice break,” he said. Beardsley actually received a pet-to- people outreach herself before deciding to get involved in the program. Her hus band brought Amberley to brighten her day while in a rehab facility that dou bled as a retirement home. “I was there after my back surgery and I remember how during therapy, it helped me emotionally to work harder through the pain,” Beardsley said. “But then the retirees living there wanted to pet her, too, and asked me when Amber ley would come back again.” That was all the motivation Beard sley needed to sign up for the Canine Good Citizenship class at St. Martin’s Pet Ministry. The five-week class trains J.D. MOOR Doris Beardsley, left, and Amberley, visiting Sarah Baker at Plantation South Assisted Living in Dunwoody. animals to be obedient and stay calm around strangers, including those in wheelchairs. Usually dogs with good tempera ments do better in passing the 10-step test, but the ministry also offers a ba sic class for dogs that may not be quite ready to become canine good citizens. Ingrid Siegert devotes her free time to running the pet ministry whenever she isn’t busy as St. Martin’s music director. She has her cat, Maggie, living full time in her church office, plus two dogs at home. “We do this out of love for the animals, and it’s fun to meet others who share that feeling,” she said. The pet ministry has blossomed from the early days when the first feature was prayers for animals through its website. It was a huge success with requests for prayers coming in from all over the world. “I think our pet ministry is unique because we do so much,” Siegert said. Trusted Friend Animal Clinic Senior Special (ages 7 and up): Complete blood panel for $100, an $85 savings. Offer expires 2/28/13. February is National Pet Dental Health Month! Our dental cleaning is discounted 10% through the end of February! Includes: pre-anesthetic bloodwork, dental x-rays, anesthesia and monitoring, and dental scaling and polishing. Free dental hygiene gift! Dr. Hayley Grove • 5975 Roswell Road (in Sandy Springs, on the corner of Hammond Drive) 404-907-1404 • trustedfriendvet.com Setting the Buckhead Standard for Doggie Daycare Boarding & Grooming BUCKHEAD 50 Pharr Road NW Across from Wells Fargo (404) 883-3028 25 % OFF Bath or Groom *Offer expires 2/16/13. BUCKHEAD ONLY. New customers only. Cannot be combined with any other offer or used on major holidays. One coupon per family. No cash value. Original coupons only - no copies accepted. RPTR Daycare for dogs 35lbs & under; Grooming for all sizes. www.BarkingHoundVillage.com Atlanta’s Premier Veterinary Care Center We offer a unique combination of general veterinary care, animal rehabilitation and acupuncture, hospitalization, boarding, as well as advanced procedures in small animal surgery and dentistry. Wellness Screening Surgery Dentistry Veterinary Acupuncture Prescription Diets Physical Rehabilitation Bathing Boarding Pharmacy Laser Therapy 553 Pharr Road NE | 404-237-4601 | prahvet.com J Pupcakes Playcare | fjvlaAj.GOs'ue. VrrvoM cLo-^,6- &. c^A-o-cvnwru^ oJlli GROOMING $ Bath & Nails 4* Bath & Trim 4* Spa Groom PLAYCARE $ Open Playground Superior Quality Customer Service 404.237.7440 www.pupcakesplaycare.com 2989 N. Fulton Drive, Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30305 www.ReporterNewspapers.netl JAN. 25 —FEB. 7, 2013 | 21