"Meet Gilbert, Therapy Puppy!!! 
Have you ever noticed that dogs are non-judgmental, trusting, give unconditional love, listen, and help people feel needed and impor-tant? In addition, dogs tend to be warm and fuzzy, are a form of entertainment and bring smiles to those they meet. Well, that is Gil-bert’s role within our program. Gilbert helps to make our veterans feel more comfortable and our patients have stated that they feel less anxious when he is present during our therapy sessions.
Gilbert (Arenas) is a black & white Maltipoo puppy born on 9/11/2009. He is a very friendly little boy who loves to play and give kisses. If you see him in hallway feel free to stop him and say hello! He loves attention.
Gilbert is currently participating in groups held with Mental Health Intensive Case Manage-ment (MHICM), 3DE, Health Improvement Program (HIP), and Psychosocial Recovery and Rehabilitation Program (PRRC). For more in-formation on therapy puppies & dogs please feel free to contact Tiffany Thomas in HIP."
Gilbert is growing up - he is now a therapy dog in VA
Gilbert the Therapy Pup
"Meet the Medical Center’s youngest, smallest and arguably cutest, volunteer - Gilbert, the mental health therapy puppy. Gilbert, a maltipoo, comes to the Medical Center almost every day and attends
group therapy sessions. Pet therapy is known to have 
many benefits, including improved socialization, mental stimulation, enhanced feelings of acceptance and development of a more outward focus.
Gilbert’s owner, Tiffany Thomas, a mental health technician with the Health improvement Program, says Veterans have been very receptive to Gilbert and enjoy petting and holding him. “He makes Veterans smile” Thomas said."
I have to say - Tiffany is a wonderful young lady - very organized and caring. She came to me, looking for a Maltipoo - because he was going to be a Therapy dog - and he is.
Sheba is now Missy with Karen and Keith in Canada
"Hi
We made it home safe she did really good in the car she mostly slept. We stopped half way and let her streatch out and go potty. She is doing so good with the potty she has't had any accidents she is going on her pee pads twice already! I am trying to stop her from eating the kitty food lol it is kind of tough.
We gave her a bath because she had peed in her kennel. She did really good in the bath. Then she had about an hour long nap with me.
So far she seems to be doing really good.
I have attached some pictures."
This was Sheba, parents are Xandra Shaye and A.J. She had a long trip to her new home in Canada, but did very well, and I'm sure she is so happy with Karen and Keith.
Lola and friends in Florida
"We would like to know when you anticipate another litter of Maltipoos? We lived next door to Rachel and Andrew when they adopted their Bella from you. They have moved and we really miss Bella and would like to have our very own little girl to join our family. . . . Thank you, Rick and Linda"
A few months later, and here is Rick,
he flew in to the Springfield airport to
get their little Lola.
"Hi MaryAnn -
Thought I'd send along a couple of pictures of Lola and her "sister" Dixie. The girls have become inseparable and they are wonderful playmates and best buds. Everyone just loves Lola...she got the "Best Puppy Ever!" award at her latest trip to the groomer's for a bath and trim. Our vet just cuddles and loves on them and then tells us how lucky we are to have such great puppies. Lola is absolutely fearless....and she loves everyone. When we go to the dog park, she thinks she should be able to play with the big dogs too! There might be someone on that side that she could have more fun with! She is doing better with her house training and has never had an "accident" while in her crate. She knows how to sit for treats (she's very fond of her treats!) and will play catch with a toy for a long time. She fetches well....but would rather have a tug of war when she returns than just give it back to you. You would love seeing the girls playing catch. I throw the toy, they both run after it (Lola is always fastest) and then carry it back together. Occasionally they forgot that I'm playing too and have to have a good chase through the house before bringing it back for another throw. Our neighbors have a 10 month old Bichon and the three dogs love to play together. They race around the yard so fast sometimes they're just blurs. She is a little over 7 lbs. now and, with her full coat, just looks like a fur ball. They trimmed her a little at her last visit so she lost a lot of the black tipping on her body. She's becoming a beautiful blonde with the black markings remaining on her tail, face and ears with just a bit down the middle of her back. She's absolutely gorgeous! The two girls are really great together since Dixie is almost solid black...they make such a great pair. Every time we go anywhere they become the center of attention. And they love it....almost as much as we love them.
Take care....
Linda"
Ginger becomes Simone
This is Ginger - renamed Simone a couple of weeks before going to Kansas to live with Vesta.
Vesta tells me she is the hit of
the block. Vesta meets with
several friends each morning to
walk their dogs, and Simone has stolen many hearts.
Her vet said she was perfect on
every test he could run!
Vesta is just so happy to have
little Simone with her.
Anyway, you can sure see how happy Vesta is, and so is Simone. Vesta says that Simone loves to "jump on the chair, stand on her feet & checks out the table to see if there is any food available." :0)
Iris grows up.
Edith was able to come and get Iris, just as Vesta was able to. She and John have given Iris a wonderful home. I love hearing from them, and as you will see, Grace and I were able to go and visit.
That was really nice.
"5tttttttttttttttttttt Iris just typed that to you. She stood on the keyboard so I left it in.
It means, Thank You Mary Ann for giving me a chance at life and caring for me like I
was going to be your own. It means thanks for being so wonderful to my new mommy
so she has so many fond memories and can think of how special it was to wait for me
to arrive."
"Thank you for those wonderful words. I think about you and the family and all the dogs quite a lot.
Cathy and John always ask after you to make sure you are well. You made a deep and lasting impression on everyone, especially me. At this moment the house is quiet for the first time today. John is peacefully snoring and Iris and Jake are tucked right in next to John sleeping soundly. When we look at Iris we just marvel at her beauty. She is so very much adored. Jake and she ran themselves ragged today playing. It is so good to see him spunky and playing again. He was best friends with Mia and we think sometimes that he feels like she is back. Iris not only looks like her but plays like her as well.
Iris goes nuts whenever we drink milk. She loves it and dives into my cereal bowl. I told John that we now
know why God gave her a white chin. It is the one spot that gets wet when she drinks milk. She also has
the cutest habit of gently putting her paw in her water bowl. She loves to play with water.
Oh Mary Ann I ponder so often the miracle of looking on puppy find and finding a peek a poo born on the day Mia
died and that God had you name her Iris so that we would come together.
Have a wonderful weekend. You are the kindest and warmest person. You are generous and loving in all you do and to all who cross your path. You deserve the best and you are always in my prayers. Lots of love.
E (and the Crew)."
Polly Anna becomes BiJou
BiJou started here as Polly Anna. She is one of our first Maltipoo children. She and Carolyn are very happy together in Texas.
"Hello Mary Ann, Sorry its taken so long for me to get back to you, but as you
understand, I have been busy with the new little girl. I have re-named her,
Bijou (be-zsu, zs pronounced like Zsa Zsa). It is a French word that means Jewel.
She is just sooo sweet! She is almost paper trained already - she is a very
smart girl. The last time she had an accident, was 3 days ago, so I think she is
doing really well.
And yes, I did get the Nu Vet vitamins for her, I'm sure they will be very good for her.
She has just fit right in with my family. My grandkids were over this past weekend, and she loved playing with them. Bijou is going to be a great companion for me, I love her already. We go to the vet on Saturday for a check-up and to get her remaining shots scheduled. I am sending a few photos for y'all to see.
Thanks again, and God bless. Carolyn"
Pippi goes to California
Mr. Nillson becomes Bear in Florida
"Hi Mary Ann,
A belated Merry Christmas to you and your family! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful one. Thanks so much for sending us your card. I hope you like the one I attached here, created on Christmas Day just for you. Fetching that blue ball in the picture is probably Bear’s favorite activity. He even “throws” it back to us instead of just dropping it. J
For anyone like us – too old for little kids, but don’t have grandchildren yet – there’s nothing like a puppy to liven up the holidays. Bear continues to be so darn much fun. Add some presents, wrapping paper and ribbon, and you have a one-dog show! Actually, I think our little Annie was relieved that he had so much do to while we opened our presents. She remains Bear’s favorite chew toy, and she seemed to enjoy a rest.
Our little boy continues to grow up. He weighs 9 pounds now, all his puppy teeth are gone, and his hair is getting lighter with every trip to the groomer. At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes totally cream-colored or white as an adult. Such a beautiful little dog. He passed his puppy training class with flying colors, and now we’re continuing with an Intermediate class. That’s our trainer, Jorge, in the cap and gown in the second picture. Jorge has a champion obedience dog and is involved with Canine Good Citizen testing, so I look forward to great things with Bear’s training. In fact, Rich and I were so confident about Bear’s behavior that he made his debut at the nursing home’s Christmas celebration. Everyone fell in love with him! He’s not ready for weekly visits yet, but his first trip there was very promising.
Have a wonderful new year, and stay warm up there!
Kris Belgie"
Sugar Daddy become Shia in Maryland
Peaches becomes Nala - Kerwesa becomes 'mommy'.
Kerwesa and her friend Rachel, with Rachel's daughter Brianna, came all the way here from VA. We had just the best time. After they left, we knew that we had some more family living in VA now.
Hopefully they will be back next summer '08, for J.A.M. (Jesus and me) camp, and maybe even another puppy :0)
"Hello Mary Ann,
Nala is such a good puppy. I took her to work with me and everyone loved her, a few of our customers asked if I would sell her, I think the look I gave them said it all. Nala is my baby and will not be for sale under any circumstance.
Judging from Nala, you have done a superb job raising those puppies. Everyone that meets her says she has such a great disposition for a 9 week old puppy. I can't believe how social, sweet and loving she is with everyone. She has picked up on house training so well. We get up early in the morning and go outside to use the bathroom and then we eat breakfast. Shortly thereafter we go out again so she is getting use to her routine and now she's starting to whine and paw at the door when she has to go. I think I have the most amazing puppy ever, she definitely has been the best choice for me. She is so smart and mischevious:) I'll have some pics for you as soon as I get them uploaded unto the computer.
I hope the CA family comes through for Splash soon so that she's not just sitting there in limbo watching all her siblings go around her. Lifeguard Joe is super sweet and we miss him if we could have we would have taken him to:) Hopefully the all get adopted out to a great home soon!
Anyway got to run, we have one more potty break before I get dressed for church. I hope you had fun at the seminar and gained a lot of useful information although you have so far raised the best puppies I have ever met. Give everyone my love. Talk to you soon. ~ Kerwesa"
Aimee becomes Emily
"She brings such joy to my life and I'm very glad that we found each other.
Amy
P.S. She is lying on my lap as I type this."