Wednesday, March 3, 2010

EVERY DOG HAS A GIFT: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
EVERY DOG HAS A GIFT

BY RACHEL MCPHERSON

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Inspiring stories of dogs who do good.

Anyone who has ever had a relationship with a dog will tell you: They want nothing more than to give love and be loved in return. In Every Dog Has a Gift, Rachel McPherson draws on her experience as the founder and executive director of The Good Dog Foundation, the largest animal-assisted therapy organization on the East Coast, to share the amazing stories of dogs that bring hope and healing into our lives.

Much has been said about the heroic roles dogs played following September 11th and Hurricane Katrina in providing support and comfort for the families and victims of these terrible tragedies, but the truth is that millions of dogs around the world are heroes every day. These therapy and service dogs (and often quite ordinary, "uncertified" dogs just like your own!) can:

*serve as the perfect audience for kids who need help with practicing and improving their reading skills;

*hold troubled families together;

*provide a calm and centering presence for autistic children, and

*help individuals who have lost the ability to walk to more easily navigate the world.

Every Dog Has a Gift is a celebration of the gift that each and every dog possesses: the ability to bring the healing power of unconditional love into our lives.

Read THE INTRODUCTION by Rachel McPherson HERE!

CHECK OUT THE CONTEST TO ENTER YOUR DOG OR JUST CHECK OUT THE DOGS ALREADY ENTERED WHO HAVE SPECIAL STORIES INCLUDING MANY WITH DISABILITIES OF THEIR OWN. YOU CAN FIND THAT HERE!

REVIEW:

Bingo‘s Book Buddy and I really enjoyed this well-written and entertaining book so much! Author Rachel McPherson, founder of “The Good Dog Foundation”, shares inspiring stories that are a joy to read but also help you to learn about valuable programs where dogs are contributing members in their own communities. Yes, I can truly say that I think dogs are man’s best friend because I am a dog lover but even if you aren’t, you will be after you read EVERY DOG HAS A GIFT. There are so many amazing programs where dogs are used to help people to lead better and more productive lives.

McPherson explains that The Good Dog Foundation is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to every aspect of dog assisted therapy. The program helps to train and place dogs with people who need assistance due to disabilities or illness and they help in disasters like 9/11 and Katrina. There are so many wonderful stories of interest and the book is a joy to read as well as being full of useful information. After the different sections in the book, Rachel has lists of organizations that can help with that particular situation. The Good Dog Foundation does evaluation and training as well as follow-up programs.

I have a good friend who trains dogs to assist children and adults in wheelchairs and she gets them as puppies and they grow and she trains them from puppies. They then go to a school to be evaluated by experts to see if they are ready to serve, and then to match them to an owner in need. The “graduation” ceremony is a time when my friend that trains them turns the dog over to the new owner. It is very emotional and I used to wonder how she would give the dog up without being sad having had them from puppies until they were ready to assist. She says, however, and I have now seen it, that when she sees the dogs she trains working with their new owner and all they do to help, it isn’t a problem as she feels so good about it all.

Rachel has compiled and written a wonderful resource as well as a fascinating read. There is even information in the book about dogs themselves who have a disability and how and where they can get help. She also does give some information on how to choose a dog for yourself as well as how to care for it and have fun with the dog in the proper way. I think this is a good book for people who want dogs as pets or just so people can understand about these dogs when they see them in public. An enjoyable book and even if you think you know all there is to know about the subject, it never hurts to “bone up” on some new information.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO KEVIN AND THE
GOOD PEOPLE AT PENGUIN BOOKS,
I HAVE
TWO COPIES OF THIS
WONDERFUL BOOK TO GIVE AWAY




--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!


HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE REVIEW OR BOOK THAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU MIGHT ENJOY THIS BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHETHER YOU HAVE A DOG OR NOT, OR ANY EXPERIENCE YOU MAY HAVE HAD WITH ANIMALS THAT ASSIST LIKE THIS

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE WITH YOUR LINK

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, MARCH 18


47 comments:

rubynreba said...

I don't have a dog now but through the years have had dogs that were a special part of my life. I like to read stories about dogs and this book looks very special.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Our local nursing home has an Activity Director who brings her dog to work with her. The residents love that dog and it makes them smile - something a lot of them rarely do otherwise.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Linda Kish said...

We have 7 dogs and my little one has really helped me.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

In 1990 I had back surgery. This was the beginning of the dogs visiting patients. This was prior to me getting a dog so I was skeptical but I really enjoyed the visit.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Reading said...

I would love to read this book because I believe that dogs can be ver theraputic for kids.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

We have a 2 year old labradoodle. He is such a big part of our family. My boys just adore him, and he feels the same way about them.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

traveler said...

I have two adorable and sweet dogs. A Maltese and a small mix who is a rescue dog. When the Maltese goes to the retirement home they love him. What a treat it is for these people. They make my day. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Margie said...

I am a dog lover, so any book about dogs catches my attention. I like that your Book Buddy enjoyed the book also!
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

traveler said...

This is a wonderful review which is heartwarming and beautiful. Thanks for this great giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Margie said...

We don't currently have a dog, but had a black lab for 16 years. She was a sweetheart. My daughter helps in a pet therapy program which takes puppies to a local nursing home. They love them!
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Sandy Jay said...

I love books about dogs. Assistance dogs have a special place in my heart.

forwhlz at gmail dot com

Sandy Jay said...

In 1990, my son, who was in a wheelchair, decided that he wanted a dog so that he could have more independence. We got a german shepherd puppy and I taught him myself. He was never certified but he loved his job and he did it very well.

scottsgal said...

I would love to read this - my old greyhound was a therapy dog and visited alzheimers patients - it was amazing how lucid they became and responded to him. He just wanted to love
msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

We have 2 springer spaniels - it's an unconditional love fest with them! I don't remember NOT having a dog or two or three.
msboatgal at aol.com

Colleen Turner said...

I always enjoy stories of dogs doing well, saving their people or assistin police officers in the line of duty. I think I would really enjoy this book!
Thanks for offering it in your giveaway.
Colleen
candc320@gmail.com

Vera said...

I don't have any dogs, but my sister has 3 and I watch them for her every now and then. vvperesk@gmail.com

Vera said...

Well, I'd love to win this book for my sister since has 3 dogs and we're all around dog lovers! vvperesk@gmail.com

Esme said...

I grew up with dogs-now I have two kitties that I got from a shelter-we switched over to cats after we took one in as a stray. Joy Joy and more joy is all I can say.

chocolate and croissants at yahoo dot com

holdenj said...

I'm the happy and completely enamoured dog owner to a very sweet beagle. She brings lots of joy to our lives.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I love dogs and sometimes we just need to read those inspiring type stories!
It looks great.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

StephTheBookworm said...

I'd love to read this. I have loved animals all of my life. I currently have a little Maltese named Bup. He is spoiled rotten and wears clothes, but he's so cute haha.

stephaniet117(at)yahoo(dot)com

g.g. said...

I had a dog but lost him a few years ago and haven't tried to replace him...yet!

anjamie4 AT gmail dot com

g.g. said...

The idea of this book is great! These animals are such a help to people. I know a person with a dog that helps and she can pick up things that fall, open the door, pull the wheel chair...an amazing animal friend.

anjamie4 AT gmail dot com

Harvee said...

1. I like the list you gave of the different ways dogs help humans.

2. I had a dog for 14 years, a bichon frise who gave us many years of friendship and good company. We miss him.

3. Please enter me in the giveaway!

harvee44 AT yahoo DOT com

Misusedinnocence said...

I don't think animals get nearly enough credit, I would love to read this!

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Benita said...

This is an awesome, heartwarming review. Animals and people have such a unique bond. That's why I'd like to read this book.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I had a dog for 14 years. One day she sat near the stove, and wouldn't stop barking. It turns out there was a gas leak, and my puppy saved my life as well as the lives of other family members. Bless these 4 legged creatures.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

I'd love to read this one. I have a service dog for my diabetes and she is truly a "life saver".

nfmgirl said...

I'd like this book, simply because it's about dogs, and I'm a huge animal lover! I love seeing how animals can become such integral part of people's lives.

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I don't have a dog yet, but am currently looking for one. I hope to have one within the next couple of months. There is a rescued dog that I'm considering.

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Lacey said...

I love dogs!!! I think I would enjoy reading this book because I know that dogs are secretly people at hear.hehehe

Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net

Lacey said...

http://twitter.com/HtxAstrosFan/status/10446541919

tweet!!

Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net

Lacey said...

When I was six my father passed away and I had a miniture dashound who I would take in the backyard in between two fences and cry with her. She would never sit in my lap except then when she knew i was upset.

Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net

Terri said...

I love to read stories about dogs, especially when they are doing something special. This book sounds wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity to win it!
tmp95 at comcast dot net

Terri said...

No, I don't have a dog now although I've had a few during my lifetime. I don't have any experience with animals like this.

Terri said...

Tweeted the giveaway: http://twitter.com/dahbou/status/10490428004
tmp95 at comcast dot net

Cindy said...

The title caught my eye because I am an animal lover. Then I read your review and I was even more hooked. I would love to read this book! I think that dogs do have special gifts that help people and other animals. Also, if you are a dog owner, you have a gift yourself - the love and devotion that you share with that dog!

Please include me in the giveaway.

Cindy
Socmom213@aol.com

Cindy said...

I am a dog lover and fortunately, my husband is too. We have three dogs - two lively and fun boston terriers and a white/yellow lab that looks and acts just like Marley. I would not take a million dollars for any of them! They are a special part of our family. One of the boston terriers will play fetch all day long. The other boston terrier never leaves my side when I am home. And, the lab is crazy about my husband. We had an elderly cocker spaniel named Candy who passed away a few months ago. The other dogs sensed that she was dying even before I did and never left her side that day. Our dogs get along well with everyone. They are very protective of our grandchildren, our cats and even our cockatiel. Dogs are truly special!

I would love to be included in this giveaway!

Thank you!

Cindy
Socmom213@aol.com

Merrie L. said...

I think that this review made me want to go out and get this book-- I'll wait and see if I win it first. *wink*wink* I love stories about dogs; they are so loving!
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Merrie L. said...

I've always grown up with dogs (both of mine have passed away now), they have not "assisted" like this--but needless to say, they were loving, caring and are so very missed! lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Wendi P said...

I have always had a dog and think that they are so remarkable. My 10 yr old mix died last year and my house was so quiet and empty that within 6 weeks I had adopted a puppy. Love them!!!

parodi821 at yahoo dot com

Misusedinnocence said...

I don't have a dog right now but everyone in my family has been asking for one so I think it's only a matter of time. I've always wanted a puppy. :)

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Unknown said...

I was able to witness how dogs helped my grandparents on lonely days. They were the best of pals.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

My sister-in-law loves animals, especially dogs. I would like to give this to her.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Nancye said...

I think animals that assist the disabled are wonderful! It is amazing what animals can be trained to do!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I have always had dogs from the time I was a little kid. Right now we have a Miniature Schnauzer named Abby who is SO sweet!! I am disabled with a pain disorder and am unable to work. Abby somehow knows when I am having a bad pain day because she never leaves my side. I would be lost without her!!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/10687352743

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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