Pet Teams
Breed:
Standard Poodle
My Human Partner:
Virginia Ray Long
I've been an HOV Volunteer since:
2021
My interests, hobbies & talents:
I was born in Snowflake, Arizona with many brothers and sisters. I’m sure I got the best forever home. I love my stuffed animals which I keep in my toy box when I’m not carrying them around and leaving them in special places. I love to sit in our front courtyard and greet neighbors as they go to and from work. Our parents have taught us to stay in the yard or driveway and everyone is always surprised how well we stay close to the house. I have lots of dog friends that say "hello" also. Above all however, my absolute favorite thing is to see if there are any treats on the kitchen counters when my humans leave us alone in the house. Bread is my favorite. Once I found a whole bag of hotdog buns – they were great, though my humans were not too happy about it for some reason.
My work at HOV:
I have a brother, Louie who has taught me so many things including being a therapy dog. Since he was a therapy dog for Hospice of the Valley first, he told me how much happiness it brings to do this job…making people smile is so great. The best part is all the hugs and kisses and petting I get. I love to snuggle up to people and that gets me lots of attention. It is a very important job – to look good, behave, and make people smile!
Breed:
Moyen Poodle
My Human Partner:
Katy Romley
I've been an HOV Volunteer since:
2022
My interests, hobbies & talents:
I love long walks, riding in the car, going to restaurants, floating in my backyard pool (yes, on my very own float) and hiking any trail in Arizona. I just love being around people especially my mom because I love her with all my heart.
My work at HOV:
Going to work with HOV gives me a big sense of purpose. I love listening and caring for the people I visit because they are so wise and have much to share. I’m told my cuteness overload makes their hearts soar!
Breed:
Norwegian Lundehund mix
My Human Partner:
Dallas Enyeart
I've been an HOV Volunteer since:
2022
My interests, hobbies & talents:
My identifying attributes to my breed are my six toes, wiggling ears and the constant quest for love! Each day I wake with enthusiasm to sniff out new adventures. I'm constantly with my owner, so my interests are broad. I enjoy going to the movies, parks, stores... basically getting out and stretching my legs. However, curling up with my owner is probably the best thing ever!
My work at HOV:
Being that I'm a novice volunteer with HOV, I modestly admit that I’ve only visited a few patients thus far. However, they tell me I’m already off to a great start. My patients adore me and I happily love them back in return. I will 'bark' that my future goal is to become a super star in aiding the heart and soul of those who want to grab onto my unconditional loving cuddles. I personally can’t get enough of the cuddles myself.
Breed:
American Scottsdale Rescue Cat
My Human Partner:
Tracy Howell
I've been an HOV Volunteer since:
2021
My interests, hobbies & talents:
Mainly, I'm a big fan of going outside. I like climbing trees, chasing bugs, and jumping high. My mom and I have a goal we are working on of me riding in the basket on her bike. When we are outside I approach almost everyone I meet because I am a super friendly boy. We took a vacation to California last year and I enjoyed watching the ocean from the condo deck.
My work at HOV:
I love working for HOV! I get to meet so many people and a lot of times I can sit on their laps or lay in bed with them and go to sleep. How many people can say that about their job? People are usually surprised to see me walk into their facility and walk on a leash to find our patient. It brings a lot of smiles and surprised looks! I don’t even mind taking long car rides to see HOV patients throughout the valley, as long as I’m not the driver.
Breed:
English Golden
My Human Partner:
Julie Flynn
I've been an HOV Volunteer since:
2021
My interests, hobbies & talents:
I love to go for rides in the car, visiting folks and playing frisbee. Pre-covid, my human, therapy dog brother and I visited dog beach in San Diego. That will always be my first love, especially diving into the waves.
My work at HOV:
I’m newer at this job than is my brother, Mulligan, who also works for HOV. I visit patients for HOV in a group home and in a larger assisted living facility and I love it!
Breed:
Cocker Spaniel mix
My Human Partner:
Robert Parke
I've been an HOV Volunteer since:
2021
My interests, hobbies & talents:
I am a member of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, a Canine Good Citizen and a member of the HOV Pet Connections team. I previously visited with friends in Colorado until I came to sunny AZ with my dad. My breed is a mixture of Cocker Spaniel, Shi Tzu and Bichon Frise. I enjoy going on road trips, hiking and exploring new places. I may be petite, but I have a good time playing dog games including chase, steal the toy and tug.
My work at HOV:
What I relish more than anything else is meeting and visiting humankind. I am very affectionate and take great satisfaction in interacting with all people, especially those that need me the most. I am good at getting humans to give me attention, including but not limited to, rubs in all the right places. I am always ready to meet new folk and share some dog love.
Breed:
Greyhound
My Human Partner:
Nancy Smith
I've been an HOV Volunteer since:
2021
My interests, hobbies & talents:
Once a professional race dog, always a race dog. I love doing zoomies outside, running circles around the tree. I’m proud to say that I do it so much that I’ve made my own personal private racetrack. Afterwards I’m so beat that I come in and immediately jump onto the couch and go to sleep.
My work at HOV:
Something called a pandemic delayed my starting date with HOV. I can’t wait to do my visits to one of the HOV inpatient units and to patients wherever they live and need my lovin’. I’m just the right height for everyone to pet me from their bed, recliner or chair without having to reach down. I can be quite the Velcro dog as I love to be petted.
Breed:
Yorkshire Terrier
My Human Partner:
Shelly Ince
I've been an HOV Volunteer since:
2019
My interests, hobbies & talents:
I love spending time with my big sister Izzy and with my mom. My favorite place to be is anywhere Mom is!
My work at HOV:
I love going to visit our sweet person at the group home! She is always so happy to see me and gives me lots of “ear rubs”. I also like saying Hi to all the other residents when we are there.
Breed:
Miki (a mix of Japanese Chin, Maltese and Papillion.)
My Human Partner:
Diane Bykowski
I've been an HOV Volunteer since:
2018
My interests, hobbies & talents:
I love going for rides in the car and going for walks. I also love learning new tricks. My favorite past time is volunteering, especially for Hospice of the Valley.
My work at HOV:
I have been a therapy dog most of my life. I love going to Sherman house where I can visit with patients, families and even staff. Of course, cuddling with patients is the best. I also love visiting my HOV friends in a group home. I have been an HOV therapist most of my life...over 3 years.
Breed:
Goldendoodle
My Human Partner:
Ed Berg
I've been an HOV Volunteer since:
2021
My interests, hobbies & talents:
I feel like it’s my job to bring smiles to everyone's face. I even also help my human by becoming his service dog. Two great jobs at once!
My work at HOV:
When I was very young, my dad recognized that I have intuition about people and caring for them. I’m so proud and happy that he knew to make me a therapy dog and join Hospice of the Valley.
Breed:
Shih Tzu/Lhasa Apso
My Human Partner:
Jennifer Clack
I've been an HOV Volunteer since:
2021
My interests, hobbies & talents:
My two greatest interests in life are people and food. I wag my tail to greet every person I see - people call me a ‘good will ambassador’. I gobble down my daily meals, but my favorites are mommy’s small treats of bacon, eggs, and hamburger. I am a meat eater, and if mommy drops a piece of vegetable on the floor, it could sit there for a month for all I care as I’m not going near it. I love our daily walks which are 2 miles a day minimum, not too shabby for a little guy like me. Bones are terrific, and I love chew toys which I punch with my paws to make as much noise as I can, especially when mommy is trying to sleep. I like to lay with my legs straight back which is called a ‘sploot’. I enjoy other dogs but NOT cats.
My work at HOV:
I am new to HOV in 2021, but my calm and loving demeanor is perfect for this type of work. I have been volunteering for several years as a therapy dog and every time one of my volunteer vests goes on my little body I jump to the ceiling with excitement! Yippee we get to go out and help people and they will pet me!
Breed:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
My Human Partner:
Jane Conrow
I've been an HOV Volunteer since:
2017
My interests, hobbies & talents:
Besides food, I love learning new tricks and competing in obedience trials. Of course there's nothing I like better than our daily sessions when I get to practice retrieving, running through tunnels and jumping over the different obedience obstacles. My owner calls it training. I call it fun! Besides if I'm good, I just might earn a cookie.
My work at HOV:
Being a Cavalier, I am naturally very people oriented and rarely encounter a lap I don't like or a person that wouldn't do with a good doggie cuddle. So doing pet therapy for Hospice of the Valley is right up my alley. My owner and I get to meet so many wonderful people when we visit: patients, their family and friends, and facility staff. And there's nothing better than to see someone smile, when s/he sees me. It never gets boring or old. Finally just between you and me, my owner is kind of shy. Consequently, I'm able to break the ice for her and make it easier for her to converse with new people.