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On August 22, 2007, Isis (Ilsalee)
Gray-Hound
became the only greyhound in the country to earn 500 therapy
dog service hours and one of only a handful of therapy dogs
nationwide- of any breed-to accomplish this honor. Isis is
a certified Therapy-Assistance Dog with Helping P.A.W.S. International
and a member of the Triangle Greyhound Society.
Titan,
Isis' brother, has crossed the 500 hour yardstick. He has 508 hours as
of December 31, 2008.
Update!!! Isis
has passed 640.50 hours as of December 31, 2008
Isis along with her
handlers have earned many awards. Isis serves as the president of the
Helping Paws Fur-board assuming that position from her sister, Founding
Fur-Therapist Cassie Gray-Hound. Isis lives with fur-siblings Titan and
Charlie. Together they currently serve as fur-facility Directors at
Dorthea Dix Hospital, Spring Arbor and Heritage in Raleigh, NC.Over the
years Isis has served as fur-director at Carver, Abbotswood, Spring
Arbor and Durham Learning Services. Isis is also one of Helping Paws'
demonstration dogs for Helping Paws Therapy Dog Training classes.
Isis became a certified therapy dog on June 19, 2002.
She has been
averaging about 100 patient contact hours per year. Isis earned
most of her hours working with the patients at Dorothea Dix
Hospital in Raleigh, NC. She has also worked at Ronald McDonald
Houses and
at numerous nursing and retirement homes. Almost 100 of her hours
were as a reading assistance dog in Helping Paws B.A.R.K.S program.
Isis is
a performer! She loves to entertain her patients by doing tricks
for them. Her favorite trick is her bow and saying her prayers.
Isis was adopted from Greyhound Friends
of North Carolina in February
of 2002, when Isis' sister Cassie went to Rainbow Bridge quite
suddenly. A grey named Patsy at Durant Road almost became
the new fur-kid of her parents, but fate lead them to Isis and she has
been a superb therapy dog! Isis will do anything asked of
her. She will work 3-4 hours straight in a sweltering hot nursing
home while dressed in a very hot costume –like her Santa suit or witch
costume --and she will be just as energetic with the patient #245 as
she was with patient #1. Isis does her best work when in costume
and has even won serveral costumes contests.
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Isis has some unique abilities. While she learns new commands
quickly, she learns best by watching another dog perform something;
e.g., she learned to shake hands by watching a German Sheppard do it
only three times. Isis also excels as a reading assistance dog.
Somehow, she instinctively knows when a child has made a mistake. She
will look up and whine giving her handler the perfect opportunity to
say, “Isis said she needs help with this word. Let’s teach her how to
say it.”
Isis has already started on her next 100 hours. On October 1st,
she will resume her duties as a reading assistance dog and on October
3rd she will celebrate her 8th birthday. She has asked for a big
birthday bash with all of her doggie friends –if only Mom can find the
time to plan it. While she does a little ambassador work with
TGS, she hopes to increase that this year. Isis is also thinking
about taking up freestyle dancing. Isis absolutely loves to stand
on her hind legs, spin 10-15 spins in place; then, break out into some
3-4 ft. wide circles.
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