Brandy and Val

For those of you who follow us, you are already aware that Brandy and Val works with autistic children in some of our pet therapy programs and working with special needs children is a project that is near and dear to us.   Recently, one of our staff members brought the Hiram Farms agricultural program to our attention since his brother is afflicted with the disorder and the farm is competing for much needed grant money that will help it expand its’ day program targeted at providing inspiration and meaningful work for individuals growth with Autism Spectrum Disorders.   The grant money will provide the Farm  with funding to build an activity center and farm office.

Farm work is therapeutic for people with autism.  Working with animals is calming and helps to develop skills related to respect, trust, contribution, commitment, self-confidence and responsibility.  Physical labor improves aerobic health, coordination and balance.  Since children and adults on the autism spectrum typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communications, social interactions and leisure or play activities, programs aimed at developing these skills enhance the lives and families of those involved as they benefit the overall community.

Speaking of community, as an added benefit, the farm’s 120 acres produces organically grown vegetables, meat and eggs for Hiram, Ohio!

PLEASE help Hiram Farms win this grant by voting on the Pepsi Refresh Everything website. The grant only goes to the top ten ideas so every vote counts. Learn more about the farm and how to vote for the grant on the Hiram Farm Facebook Page. ACT NOW!  VOTING ENDS JUNE 30!

Those of us at Brandy and Val, LLC have voted.  Brandy and Val, “Doing good where good is needed.”  Spread the word.

Take Your Dog to Work Day is a great opportunity to share with your office how adorable your REALLY best friend is.  Also, it’s a great way to help promote the idea of pet adoption from animal shelters, humane societies, breed shelters and the like.  There are some great animals out there looking for loving new homes.  Both Brandy and Val were shelter dogs and now they’re out in the community helping others as pet therapy pooches.  That’s pretty good.    Take Your Dog To Work day has been around since 2009 and did you know that companies like Google, Amazon.com, Dartmouth College and Sur La Table will be participating? Get involved.  Visit Take Your Dog to Work Day.com for ideas on how to get started.

Our mission at Brandy and Val, LLC is “to do good where good is needed.”  It is through the sales of our books and toys, along with our pet therapy duties that we hope to benefit the lives of children and animals.

Summer travel season is finally here!  Brandy and Val love road trips so why not include them in your travel plans?  Compact size books and toys EASILY fit into a carry-on or beach bag and the kids will love having them along.

Our newly designed website is complete.  Visit our HOME page which now includes a downloadable discussion guide for parents and teachers and easy access to how we’re making a difference in the lives of others.  The ABOUT tab has a drop down menu offering new bios about Ilene, Brandy and Val; press and word-of-mouth we’ve received; and upcoming events.  The BUY page has testimonials from some of our biggest fans AND, to celebrate summer, we’re offering a set of 3 Brandy and Val titles for only $30.95, a $5 savings.

Join the disucssion on our blog, “What We’re Barking About.” Topics range from “all things dog” to causes we celebrate and believe in.  If you have a story you’d like to share wtih us, send us an email and let us know.  Don’t forget that you can also find us on Facebook and Twitter, too.

Our mission at Brandy and Val is “to good where good is needed” and it is through the sales of our books and toys that we can help support animal rescues and sanctuaries throughout the U.S.  It is through our pet therapy duties that we can benefit the lives of children so THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Look for us in the coming weeks at:

BARRINGTON LIBRARY Read to Rover program, Barrington, IL.  Sign up now and have your children read to Brandy or Val.  Wednesday evenings in June, 7 – 8 p.m. Call 847-382-1300.

GLEN ELLYN BOOKFEST, downtown Glen Ellyn, IL.  Saurday, June 19, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Brandy, Val and Ilene will be signing and selling books at the Inland Bank, 520 Crescent Blvd.  We hear there will be dog treats so bring your pups and your kids!

CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE Summer Day Camp, Lake Zurich, IL. Friday, June 25, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.  Story reading and activities with Brandy and Val.   Call 708-588-0833 for details.

Until next month, enjoy your summer!

Ilene Fine, Author,

Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales

Sunday’s NEW YORK TIMES revealing article, THE ANTI-CRUELTY SYNDROME finally correlated what many animal rights supporters, animal lovers and the like, have believed all along:  there is a definitive link between animal abuse and other forms of violence. DUH!  There is enough convincing scientific evidence out there that now local government agencies are willing to put resources to work that  help track down these violent offenders of animals and also help rehabilitate them, too.  The article points out that animal cruelty awareness is getting its’ just due in this country and that 46 states have laws on the books making various forms of animal abuse a felony.     Perhaps this is great opportunity to revisit the implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling which overturned a federal law that made it a crime to create or sell dogfight videos and other depictions of animal cruelty.

The whole article is certainly worth reading, chock full of facts and programs that are being tested and used in communities.   As participants in pet therapy programs, we have always endorsed and mentioned organizations that use animals in helping to teach empathy and responsibility to people.   We’ve also talked about the healing and rehabilitative effects of being near or having an animal in one’s life.   In a twist of irony, the article goes on to say that those who are animal abusers benefit from prolonged exposure working with animals and that equine-therapy programs are especially good at this.  We already know that victims of abuse and emotionally withdrawn individuals benefit from the many pet therapy programs out there, too.

Whether it be the abused,  the abuser or the rest of us, it’s time to acknowledge, respect and benefit from  the power of animals.  Brandy and Val have known this all along!

Brandy and Val are my two rescue dogs that are out and about in the community working with children.  It is through their pet therapy work and the sales of their books:  BRANDY AND VAL; BRANDY AND VAL’S FAVORITE THINGS and BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY that the goal of “doing good where good is needed”  can be realized.  Animal sanctuaries and rescues throughout the country benefit from every purchase!