A doggone great graduation

SANDUSKY — Riley's Angels is proud to announce the graduation of its newest therapy dog training class, cohort No. 9. Each of the 13 new, Alliance of Therapy Dogs-certified therapy dog teams, comprised of a handler and dog, have completed at least nine weeks of training together as a team as well as meeting the American Kennel Club standard to be considered a Canine Good Citizen. These teams, having met these minimum training requirements, are now ready to be deployed to serve in their communities across the local area. Becoming a certified therapy dog team takes time, effort and patience on the part of the humans and the canines. The reward is not only to increase the human-canine bond but to spread kindness, understanding and caring into each team's area of interest. During the graduation ceremony that took place on Friday, July 21, at the Sandusky Salvation Army post, 3333 Columbus Ave., Lesley Sinwald and her niece Stacey Sinwald — co-executive directors of Riley's Angels, certified professional dog trainers-knowledge assessed and American Kennel Club evaluators — spoke of the dedication and time it takes to become a certified therapy dog team. They lead by example as they both are the human component of their own therapy dog teams. At graduation, each human-canine team walked to the front of the room, where Lesley summarized their journey, and Stacey ceremoniously removed the therapy dog-in-training patch off the canine's vest and replaced it with a well-deserved therapy dog patch. Loved ones, dear friends and community supporters looked on as each team received an opportunity to reflect and to share profound moments from their journey with those in attendance as well as what they intend to do moving forward. There was plenty of laughter as graduates shared about awkward moments with their dogs, learning to navigate through new situations in nursing homes, hospitals and local retail establishments. There were also some tears, including from one graduate who shared the profound impact her dog has had on her and her battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Most of the graduating teams plan to continue animal-assisted activities in their communities, such as at local schools, the Ohio Veterans Home, nursing homes, hospitals, jails and courts. Bio blast Riley's Angels has been a nonprofit serving their community since 2019. It is an organization that specializes in four different levels of dog training. It offers American Kennel Club puppy and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen training classes as well as their own designed focus, fitness and friends class. The jewel in its crown is the Riley's Angels therapy dog training class, which prepares both humans and canines to pass the Alliance of Therapy Dogs assessment. Riley's Angels has trained and graduated 75 therapy dog teams into the community since their inception. Riley's Angels serves Erie County as well as many of the surrounding counties, such as Huron, Cuyahoga, Lucas, Sandusky, and Ottawa counties. It organizes volunteer events within local nursing homes, churches, hospitals, schools and with veterans, and it's eager to branch out as more opportunities present themselves. It's base is at the Sandusky Salvation Army. If you are interested in what Riley's Angels has to offer, have a need for a therapy dog team or would like to make a tax-deductible donation, visit rileysangels.org or call/text 419-333-1215.