New Role for
‘Max the Wonder Dog’
By Martha Slater

A three year-old bichon friese owned by Rochester Town Clerk Joanne McDonnell, Max is an energetic and gregarious little fellow. Expanding upon his duties as the "official greeter" at the town office, Max is now creating a new career for himself as a certified therapy dog.

Using his talent for making friends with humans of all ages, Max got his training through Therapy Dogs of Vermont (TDV), an all-volunteer, non-profit organization of "well-mannered, people-loving dogs," and their handlers.

Based in Williston, TDV has handler/canine therapy dog teams that work to improve the emotional health of people in a variety of settings. They bring cheer to patients, visitors, and staff in many hospitals in Vermont and surrounding states. They also visit nursing and retirement homes, child and adult day care centers, correctional facilities, and public libraries, schools, universities, and other educational venues, to bring young people in touch with good dogs and to show them what can be accomplished with love and training.

TDV has a large membership throughout the state of Vermont and in some areas of New York and New Hampshire. All dogs are certified and insured. The organization places people in teams, arranges regular TDV visits to new institutions, organizes get-togethers, and shares information and stories by publishing a quarterly newsletter, as well as maintaining a web site at www.therapydogs.org. All of TDV’s services are provided free of charge.

McDonnell got Max through her sister, Jane.

"He needed a home and my cat, Dublin, needed someone to play with," she explains. "They’re about the same size, so it’s worked out pretty well!"

Max began his training with TDV after he underwent testing there in April to see if he was a good candidate. He had training sessions at Joslyn House and Gifford’s Menig facility in Randolph, where he was observed and evaluated on his interactions with the residents. He was officially certified last month and received a badge, picture ID card and tag for his collar.

This summer, McDonnell hopes to take Max back to Joslyn and Menig and also begin visiting children’s wards in area hospitals. She points out that Max’s breed is perfect to visit with folks who have allergies, since "bichons have hair, not fur."

In addition to his new role as a therapy dog and helping McDonnell and town treasurer Lisa Steventon manage things at the town office, Max attends (and sometimes falls asleep at) selectboard meetings. He also shares McDonnell’s crossing guard duties during the school year, so he is well-known to all the kids in town. One kid who is particularly fond of Max is McDonnell’s grandson, Cole, almost three, who enjoys playing tug-of-war with him.

"He’s a wonderful little guy," McDonnell says proudly as Max flops over on his back for a little stomach scratching. "He just loves people and they love him right back."

____________