Brandy and Val

We just wanted to share with you some of the new exercises we’re doing with our students since they are a bit more advanced than those we did last year.  That’s a good sign of progress then so that’s a good thing.  For those of you who are new to the blog, welcome!  Here’s a little background so you know where we’re at in the pet therapy conversation.  We work with children/some now young adults, afflicted with Autism Spectrum Disorder ranging in ages from grade school through 21!  They run the gamut as to the extent of their disability; some have motor skill challenges, many are non-verbal; some have both motor skill and cerebral deficits.  In any case, we love to visit and play with them in hopes of helping these kids lead happier lives that allow them to interact more freely and socially with their friends, family and the people they meet along the way!

One of the new games we’ve introduced is bowling.  The pins are made of soft cushions with bright numbers and colors on them.  The participants first have to set the pins down according to number or color.  This helps, obviously, with number and color learning.  It also helps with motor skills because the kids have a chance to get up, walk, focus on a task, hold on to the pin until it’s set in place.  THEN, here’s the fun part!  They get to take a “Nerf-like” ball and roll it down to hit the pins.  Everyone takes turns but our favorite is when we get to go since we knock the pins down with our noses.  Instead of rolling a ball, we look for a treat that is hidden near or under a pin.  Everyone thinks it’s funny to watch us do it.  We just like the treat.

In the first pet therapy post of this school year, we talked about having pictographs with commands on them that the kids can use and point to or speak out to us.  Well, now, we’ve added a twist:  we COMBINE commands, so, for example, instead of a kid asking us to “sit” they may now have to add 2 more to the sequence like “sit” “stay” and then “come.”  Pretty neat, huh?

So, now we’ll do this for a while because people with ASD like routine so we want them to get used to this.

In case you didn’t know, our mission at Brandy and Val, LLC is “to do good where good is needed.”  Not only do we participate in pet therapy programs in our community but we also have a series of children’s board books and toys that look like us.  Profits from the sales of our products help animal rescues and children’s causes throughout the country!

We encourage EVERYONE to participate and contribute to our blog and give us new ideas that we can do in pet therapy or add to the causes that make a difference in the lives of others.

Alas, for Brandy and Val, the swimming season has ended and the days are now filled with cornering chipmunks and squirrels followed by periods of rest amongst the piles of leaves.  For the rest of us at Brandy and Val, we continue focusing on “doing good where good is needed” where, through the sales of our books:  Brandy and Val, Brandy and Val’s Favorite Things, and Brandy and Val’s Special Story, we are able to benefit animal shelters nationwide.

My alma mater, Washington University in St. Louis, published a profile about us in its’ October Magazine that truly captures the essence of what we at Brandy and Val, LLC are all about.  The pups’ recent appearance at the Character Counts social also provided an excellent forum as we help spread the word that good citizenship, character and empathy benefits society as a whole.  Apparently, the Senate and President Obama fell the same since this week has been nationally recognized through Resolution 658 as “National Character Counts Week”.

Pet Therapy continues for Brandy and Val as they work with special needs children (mostly those afflicted with Autism Spectrum Disorders).  Their continued participation in the Read to Rover library program advances the cause for literacy as children read comfortably, without adult intervention, to the dogs.  We’ll be updating our progress soon on our blog, “What We’re Barking About” so look out for it.

Now’s the time to start planning for Holiday Gift Giving.  In addition to our books, plush toys resembling Brandy and Val are also available individually, as a pair or combined with a book.  Your continued support of us helps others and we really appreciate that.

Regards,

Ilene Fine, Author

Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales

It’s Columbus Day and I thought that I’d try to find a good story about Chris Columbus and dogs.  Unfortunately, what I found is not pretty but I thought I’d share it with you nonetheless. There has been documentation galore about how violent the man was and, quite simply, other than “discovering America” he really wasn’t a great guy.

The Huffington Post, no less, recounts today  that  this man whom we honor brought over attack dogs on one of his journeys to help hunt down slaves and natives.  After capture, dogs were permitted to dismember the resister while they were still alive in addition to performing other atrocities on them!  At times, it is reported, that Arawak tribal babies were even killed to be used as dog food if none other was available.

Makes one kind of wonder how on earth a dog park in Tucson, AZ was named in honor of the guy.

As dogs with a mission “to do good where good is needed” these discoveries are not fit for Brandy and Val’s floppy ears.   Please visit our website for information on how Brandy and Val help animal sanctuaries and help in their community to fulfill their mission.

If you don’t know already, our mission at BRANDY AND VAL, LLC is “to do good where good is needed” and not only do we donate a portion of all our sales to animal rescue causes throughout the Country, but we also blog about them to promote awareness.  We hope that through our prodding, those out there who sit on the sidelines will find a cause that interests them, get up and do something to help make the world a better place for all of us!  This week, there are three that are worthy of our mention.  They are not in any order of importance as we deem them all important!

A friend has discovered that it is SPECIAL EDUCATION WEEK.  I could not find any information about this online, but, regardless, he eloquently pointed out the importance of continuing, supporting and funding these programs.  Brandy, Val, their dad and I are active participants in a pet therapy program working with autistic children and so this topic hits home with us.  In addition, I was inspired to write and publish the Brandy and Val book series by a little boy named Zachary who is afflicted with Prader-Willi Syndrome.   As my friend so eloquently put it,  Children with special needs only want what we all want: to be accepted. Can I make a request of anyone willing to post this and leave it on your status for at least an hour? It is Special Education week, and this is in honor of all children made in a unique way and who learn a little …differently, but love with all their hearts.

October is BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH and there are events, fundraisers, merchandise for sale and companies participating and donating funds to help stamp out breast cancer.  Even the NFL is in the act—lots of pink was on the playing field this past Sunday to promote awareness.  Estee Lauder is also a big supporter through its’ foundation, too and who, by now, hasn’t heard of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation with their amazing walk/run fundraisers?!

I’ve recently been introduced to UP FOR PUPS, an organization comprised of artists using their varied talents to promote animal advocacy.   If you are an artist and want to find a way to join, have a great idea to execute, then contact them.  If you want to go to an event, check out their schedule. Best of luck to this new startup!  As a functional potter, I’m excited to explore the possibilities of contacting my fellow artistic friends and seeing how we can help.

Last, but DEFINITELY not least, October is ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH.  Need I say more?  Brandy and Val are two of the very many lucky former shelter dogs who received a second, third (or more) chance.  The shelters are filled with such wonderful, loving dogs and cats.