VIRTUAL PAWS February 24 - Meet the Paw-nelists

VIRTUAL PAWS
      February 24
 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 7-8 p.m.
        bit.ly/UMassPaws

 Meet the Paw-nelists

Meet the Paw-nelists
Ace is a black Lab mix who had a rough start in life, losing his front leg as a puppy. However, he
is a happy, energetic five-year-old boy who loves to play in the snow, do tricks and give “high
fives,” all for cookies of course!

Annie Baker is a scruffy mixed-breed “Tibetan Spaniador,” possibly the first of her kind. She
spends most of her days snuggled in one of her many beds, sometimes moving her small stuffed
animals from one area to another, and always looking for a belly rub. But come walk time, this
little girl will frolic and zoom with the best of them. Give Ms. Baker an open field or a long stretch
of beach, and you’ll be hard pressed to find another 8-year-old dog that can outrun her!

Ava is a gentle 12-year-old beagle mix who loves people, other dogs, and sweet talk. She likes to
have her ears and chest rubbed and to be included in everything.

Bear is almost 4 years old and came from Georgia as a rescue. His favorite activities are swimming
and playing in the snow. His favorite foods are doggy ice cream and broccoli.

Bernie is 3 and has a 10-month-old brother whom he tolerates. He loves fetch and can play for
hours. Then he collapses into a deep sleep and no amount of prodding (barking) from Joey, his
brother, will move him.

Betty is a 5-year-old labradoodle who loves working at the middle school where her owner is the
principal. She loves her job, which she does three full days each week, bringing comfort and joy
to the faculty and students. When she is not working, Betty loves playing with her siblings, hiking,
and relaxing by the fire.

Golden retriever Brinkley, 11, and his niece Meg (Nutmeg), 5, have visited their UMass friends as
Bright Spots since they were old enough to matriculate—Brinkley started in 2013 (and still hasn’t
graduated). They hope to be back with all of you in person (dogson?) soon...but then you only
get to see one of them per visit because they REALLY compete for attention!

Buffy’s favorite move is to lodge her super floooofy head right between the knees of everyone she
meets. She has found that’s the best way to capture a human’s hands: stop them in their tracks
and give them no other option that to give her head scratches!

Meet the Paw-nelists
Cadence is a 9 1/2-year-old Australian labradoodle and has been a Bright Spot Therapy Dog since
she was 1 year old. She has done a variety of visits over the years. She is a Reading Buddy at 2
local libraries. One of her most favorite types of visits is attending college stress relief events.

Cassie is about 11 years old and was adopted from Shaggy Dog Rescue in Houston, Texas. She
came with a sweet disposition and was totally housebroken and very well behaved. She does
need regular haircuts, especially around her face. While she visits many different locations, her
specialty is being a Reading Buddy.

Clementine is a 4-year-old English cream golden retriever. She loves meal time, WATER, and
hunting for chipmunks. Clementine also does agility; her favorite part is running up and down the
A Frame.

Comet is a 5-year-old golden retriever. He loves balls, hikes in the woods, and snuggling. Comet
also knows quite a few tricks; his special one is balancing a treat on his nose and flipping it up in
the air and catching it.

Countess Basie (her family call her Basie; can’t let the royal title go to her head) is a 6-year-old tri-
color rough collie. Basie has a golden retriever older brother named Gershwin. She loves to play
and hang out with people and other dogs.

Deja is an 8-year-old gentle, kind, yet full of energy Australian shepherd. She has loved being a
working Therapy Dog and misses her visits to Bradley Airport and Granby, CT schools. At home,
she likes keeping the squirrels away from the bird feeders and letting everyone know when the
UPS delivery man arrives as he gives Deja and her brother treats!

Duncan is a 3 year old golden retriever. He loves swimming, chasing squirrels, and running agility.
Duncan has been a therapy dog since just after his first birthday and very much looks forward to
seeing “his” college students again. Tweed is a bit young to be a therapy dog, but may join the
fun anyway!

Frigo is a wonderful golden-doodle (he lost the doodle part) who brings lots of love and joy to
his family. He had been a regular visitor at 2 schools, his town library, and the airport. He misses
seeing all of his friends and hopes it will be back to normal SOON!

Meet the Paw-nelists
George is a mostly retired 8 1/2-year-old golden retriever agility dog with 2 championships. He
also has titles in scent work. One day he leaned against me and said, “I think I would like to help
people and be a therapy dog now,” and so he is!

Gwen is a 5-year-old retired racing greyhound who raced as “Best Be Gone” near Jacksonville, FL.
As such, “Gone” was changed to Gwen, or Queen Guinevere of King Arthur’s Court. She is atotal
sweetheart who loves every human and animal and is a big hugger and leaner. She can’t wait to
get back to visiting.

Henrietta (Spaghetti-O) Smith likes pina-coladas and getting caught in the rain, but prefers
milkshakes and running in the sun! If she went to college, she would major in Theater. She loves
every single person she has ever met and tolerates her brother-dog Otis.

Jackson, a 3-year-old golden retriever, has been a registered Bright Spot Therapy Dog since
January 2019. Prior to the pandemic, he visited nursing homes, was a 1st grade reading buddy,
and greeted passengers and airline staff at Bradley Airport. He loves the snow, swimming, hiking,
and playing with his friends. He is obsessed with peanut butter and cheese. There is no way you
can get in and out of your refrigerator without him knowing.

James is a 9-year-old Australian shepherd and the uncle of Willie. He has been doing therapy dog
work since 2015. He is a very handsome fellow and loves people and being petted. His favorite
visits are to schools of any kind—elementary, high school or college. He wishes he was able to
visit in person, but he also loves cameras and is looking forward to a virtual visit.

Jeeves is a 6-year-old golden retriever/Cocker spaniel mix. He lives with a 13-year-old golden
retriever sister named Clementine and a 2-year-old biological sister named Flossie. He loves to run
and play agility, stand up paddle board, and roll in the snow (and anything disgusting that he can
find). He also loves to carry sticks.

Kaezli (Kay-zell-ee) is a Bernese mountain dog. Her favorite things to do are run through the
woods, swim in the river, and be petted. She is a social butterfly, and hopes to meet you in person
someday soon!

Kodi has been told by some people that he looks like Baby Yoda. No one knows what breed he is;
his mom says he is a Gund because he looks like a stuffed animal. Kodi doesn’t understand that,
but he likes that it makes people laugh.

Meet the Paw-nelists
Lily is a beautiful, multi-talented, 12-year-old Siberian husky. She earned several Titles with AKC in
performance and a variety of challenge. Lily also became a sled dog at 2 years old and was a lead
dog. She has visited in many venues as a therapy dog and is so happy to be a part of Bright Spot.
She is looking forward to seeing everyone.

Logan is an 11-year-old goldendoodle who has been with Bright Spot Therapy dog for 5 years.
Logan begins his day earlier than he would like with a wake-up call from Liam, an 8-year-old
ragdoll cat who insists on snuggle time. Logan’s favorite activities include taking walks in the
woods and playing keepaway with his doggy friends. Logan has enjoyed participating in the
Bright Spots events at UMass in the past, and looks forward to his first virtual event!

Lucky celebrated his 10th birthday in January! Here he is with his new Stingray toy. He’s not
completely sure what to make of it.

        Machete (L) and Knives (R) are two Pembroke Welsh corgis who love hunkering down
        for story time. They have been Bright Spot Therapy dogs for 3 years and enjoy agility,
        herding, rally, and performing tricks (for treats) when they’re not “working” at the local
        library. For now, they are broadcasting virtually for all to enjoy.

Max is a 12-year-old retired racing greyhound who has been visiting the students at UMass since
Bright Spot first came to the Paws event. Now retired from most Bright Spot events, he still loves
his walks, cookies, and being Wayne Desroche’s best buddy for over 10 years. His racing name
was “Al’s Maximus,” and he raced in Rhode Island.

Oliver loves playing in the snow. He is a smart, funny, and lovable dog. Oliver also volunteers as a
Bradley (Airport) Buddy, where he greets passengers, TSA agents, and staff. He loves his work!

Pablo is a dachshund chihuahua mix, and is anxious to visit UMass again.

Pepe is a 6-year-old deaf pit bull mix. Due to his hearing loss, his owner communicates with
Pepe using hand signs. If you’d like to tell Pepe he’s a good boy, just give him a thumbs up! Pepe
enjoys short walks and chasing his new cat friend, Hank.

Meet the Paw-nelists
                Rambler (2 yrs) and Raven (8 yrs) are both pure bred, long-haired German
                shepherds. They were bred by and born at the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation
                but were excused from formal training because they were “too friendly” to
                concentrate on guiding a blind person. Now they are proud Bright Spot Certified
                Therapy Dogs, and are members of The Bright Spot teams of “Bradley Buddies,”
                greeting passengers at Bradley International Airport.

Sophie is a 10-year-old labrador retriever. She is a rescue dog turned therapy dog, who was
adopted at the age of 3. Sophie enjoys visiting with seniors at nursing homes and spending time
with the faculty and staff at a middle school. She also enjoys kayaking, walking, and snuggling.

Tailer B. Swift is a half lab, half golden mutt with a heart filled with kindness and cuddles.

Teach is a 7-year-old English setter who loves doing anything and everything with his family. He’s
a real people person. That’s why he’s such a great therapy dog! Before the pandemic hit, Teach
was visiting with pre-schoolers, residents at a nursing home, travelers at Bradley International
Airport, and attending special events on college campuses.

Velvet loves playing in the soft snow.

Willie is a 2-year-old Australian shepherd who loves everyone. Aussies are an energetic herding
breed, but Willie is the most chill Aussie Sally King has ever had. He truly has never met a human
he does not like and loves to be petted. He is a great canine ambassador and loves to visit with
students of all ages.

Yukon is a 5 year old Samoyed who has been a therapy dog for about 3 years. He normally
visits the VA Medical center in Leeds and the Soldiers Home in Holyoke. He has a 14 month old
Rottweiler brother who he loves to hang with. As you can see - he loves the snow!

Zelly loves meeting people! Young people especially wag her tail! Her other favorite things are
meeting other dogs, rolling in the snow, and parties. She usually meets and greets people at her
mom’s therapy practice, but since Covid, she’s been unemployed. Even though she won’t be able
to sniff you, she is going to give Zoom a try so hopefully you can meet soon!