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All in a (Dog) Day’s Work:Meet Some Caring & Compassionate Canines in your Neighborhood

February 22, 2020 by Robin Chwatko

It’s almost time for Armonk resident Tobie Di Pietro’s shift at The Bristal Assisted Living Facility. He stretches and gets into his uniform. As he enters the building, it’s clear that he’s a valued member of the Bristal family–he is greeted with excitement from both residents and staff alike, a small crowd has formed awaiting his arrival. Ready to get to work, he enthusiastically makes himself comfortable, curling up in the lap of one of the eager residents. Tobie is a therapy dog–an 8-year-old Havanese whose job is as simple as it is important- to bring joy, comfort and calm to the people he meets.

It is well-known (and scientifically proven) that interaction with pets has significant benefits to the psychological and physiological well-being of their human counterparts. Animals, and dogs especially, are said to reduce anxiety and stress, lower blood pressure, build confidence and encourage communication. As Tobie moves from lap to lap –27 in all–his impact is clear. Residents regale Tobie and his human partner Karen with stories of their own dogs, their grandchildren, their ailments, and even gossip about fellow residents. Smiles spread across faces as Tobie gently snuggles, stiffened hands relax with every stroke of his soft fur.

TOBIE’S PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBIN CHWATKO

Tobie: A Havanese with Heart

Karen, Tobie’s owner, is a first-time dog owner and lifelong volunteer. She contends that the level of giving she experiences through Tobie is unmatched. “Sharing this with Tobie is truly something special, magical even,” she says. “Volunteering together leaves me on Cloud Nine–we connect with people on so many levels, it’s like Tobie seems to know what each person needs.”

This is even more evident in the “Reflections” wing, home to residents in the memory care program at the Bristal. “It’s incredible that the minute they see Tobie, they can recall the name of a childhood dog, or a story about a pet they used to have,” says Karen.

Maytha Ramirez, Director of Recreation at the Bristal, agrees. “It is so important in this community to have that positivity, energy and stimulation–the dynamic changes completely when Tobie enters the room. He gets them talking and brings so much happiness into their lives and their routine.”

In addition to the Bristal, Tobie and Karen volunteer at several county libraries, corporations including Pepsi and Amscan, and women’s shelters. “Tobie is my boyfriend,” exclaims one resident, pulling Tobie closer. She winks and whispers, “He really just comes here for me.”

Maus’ PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTINE MEYER

Schnauzer Soothes Stressed Area Students

When Alexa Krugel was a sophomore at Horace Greeley High School, she started to feel the stress of the high-pressure, high-achieving environment. She soon came to realize that there was a lack of student-run organizations or initiatives to help alleviate this stress and address mental health issues and the stigmas that come with them. She took it upon herself to create such an outlet for her peers and called it the Mental Wellness Club. The club meets regularly throughout the school year, but around the time of midterms and final exams, they partner with the PTA for “Stress Less Week”. Open to all students, the week focuses on distracting, stress-reducing, mindful activities to allow them to decompress, including yoga, meditation, exercise and, of course, therapy dogs.

Enter a 92-pound giant schnauzer named Maus and his owner, Christine Meyer, who were participants since the club’s inception. Dogs are actually Christine’s business, as she is the owner of Wags N‘ Whiskers, a pet groomer and supply store in Chappaqua, a town staple since 1991.

“Maus’s presence was commanding, truly remarkable”, said Christine. “Physically he was just such a striking dog, people were drawn to him and had questions–what kind of dog he was, how his eyebrows grew so long–he was magnetic. He looked intimidating, but he was just a big mush.” Certified as a therapy dog at age 6, Christine says that he had no idea how large he was, and practically demanded attention, nudging closer to students, even leaning on them or sitting on them until they gave in and pet him. “Maus just KNEW what his role was. As humans we don’t necessarily know who is hurting, but dogs always do. It is a real gift to share my dog with others.”

“My favorite part of having Maus at Greeley was the sense of community he brought. I would always see students who were not friends petting him together and laughing over their common love of the dog,” said Elizabeth Mortati, another Greeley student and club member. “It was really sweet to see how Maus would lift everyone’s mood and bring students together.”

Sadly, Maus passed away this January at the age of 11. A fixture in Chappaqua and at the schools he visited, he touched and will be missed by many. His legacy will continue with his 4-year-old sister, another giant schnauzer named Freedom, who was recently certified.

Now a freshman at the University of Michigan, Alexa reflects on the positive experience and indelible impact Maus had on her and her fellow students, and what a positive addition he was to the program she started. “Maus brought so much joy- he was happy, he was comforting, and everyone loved him. He was a familiar face-people developed close relationships with him. Every time he came to the school our worries melted away for a moment.”

SKYE’s PhotoS by Lynda Shenkman

Pleasantville’s Skye Is Always Bright

You can’t help but grin when you meet Skye–a 3-year-old sheepadoodle (Old English Sheepdog/Poodle mix) who is a 60 pound shaggy poof of kindness, calm and love. Under all that fluff seems to be a knowing smile that, no matter what your mood, she has the power to brighten your day.

Skye’s owner Lynda Shenkman has had and loved many dogs. But the moment she met mellow, sweet Skye, she knew she was destined for therapy work. The mark of a therapy dog is its stable temperaments and friendly, easy-going personality–basically Skye in a nutshell.

“We started our training with Skye early, when she was just over a year old,” says Shenkman. “It was clear right away that this was her calling, she knew right away what she needed to do. The minute she puts on her vest and bandana, she knows it’s time to work.”

Therapy dogs may be trained by just about anyone, but must meet set standards and be tested  to be certified and registered and actively participate in a program.

Skye works primarily on college campuses and libraries–where kids build confidence by reading to her. She makes private home visits and is a popular resident of Pleasantville, where she can be seen getting pets and snuggles from neighbors on the street. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs are encouraged to interact with a variety of people while they are on-duty.

Skye recently made her first trip to hospice, visiting a woman who had not spoken or communicated in days. Yet, the minute Skye entered the room, her eyes lit up, and she was even able to pet her once Skye every so gingerly offered her sweet, furry paw.

Sometimes, it seems, you just need a helping paw.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Animals, Calm, Caring, Comfort, confidence, Dogs, Havenese, Helping Paws, Joy, Reduce anxiety, Therapy dog

My Ever-Evolving Thoughts on Beauty

March 8, 2019 by Marlene Kern Fischer

After Penny Marshall died a few months ago, I saw an interview she had done where she talked about what she believed was her legacy. She summed things up in her matter-of-fact way, stating “I had a successful TV show, I had a couple of successful movies and I’m not beautiful.” I was somewhat dismayed to hear that she included her perception of her looks in her summation of her life. A perception that wasn’t even true in my opinion.

I understood what she was saying–Penny Marshall came of age when women like Elizabeth Taylor and Doris Day defined the standard of beauty. She worked in an industry where beauty was largely skin deep.

I too grew up in an era when beauty was defined by a cookie cutter mold. So many of my peers went to the same plastic surgeon in high school for the same nose job, afraid to look different or too ethnic. We wore the same Benneton sweaters and clogs. (Well, everyone except me, whose “practical” mother declared “clogs aren’t good for your feet.”)  But I have seen a shift in a perception of beauty since I was a teen, a shift that’s positive. Actresses and models don’t all look the same anymore; they are short, tall, of different races, plus-sized (or at least “curvy”), etc.

As I have gotten older, I have learned that true beauty at any age is about confidence and individuality.

I look past the women who strive to look the same and see magnificence in those who allow their essence and honesty to shine through. I’ve discovered it’s not the size of the pants that makes one beautiful, it’s the size of the heart. How many times have you met someone you initially thought was attractive only to find that their character flaws diminished their attractiveness? And for that matter, hasn’t someone become lovelier in your eyes after you see the loveliness of their soul?

I just saw a picture on Facebook of someone I knew when I was in middle school who is battling ovarian cancer (and kicking its ass). She has lost her hair but not her spirit. That’s beauty.

I’ve also discovered that self-acceptance goes a long way in creating an appearance of beauty. We have earned the bodies we have—why not celebrate them? Those stretch marks on my stomach? Evidence of a belly which once housed some of my children. My laugh lines? Proof that I have indeed laughed a lot (as well as cried). The extra pounds I carry? Confirmation that I enjoy food. Those grey hairs? OK, as someone who started going grey prematurely, I admit I have for years colored my hair (quite often these days) but have thought about stopping at some point in the future. I have a few friends who no longer dye their hair and they look fantastic. I strive to do the best with what I’ve got and, aside from the hair coloring, I’m not willing to go through other great lengths to try to convince myself (or anyone else) that I’m decades younger than I am. There’s much I’ve yet to accomplish; I can’t spend too much of my time and energy worrying about my appearance.

As far as fashion goes, I do have a subscription to a popular magazine and love to look at the new trends each season–especially the handbags. Both my husband and middle son work in the apparel industry and I think fashion is fun, an artistic expression by designers. But I’ve developed my own style and learned to wear what works for me. When I was younger, I often made the mistake of trying to copy someone else’s look, only to discover it didn’t look the same on me. Of course, it didn’t; an imitation is rarely as good as the original. And while I may read fashion magazines, if something seems ridiculous to me, no matter how popular, I won’t be swayed. I can unequivocally state that even if shoulder pads come back in style again someday, I will not be wearing them. Rocking your own style is beautiful. Penny Marshall’s character Laverne Defazio knew this better than anyone; she wore the letter L on all her clothes, even her brewery uniform and her pajamas. It was her signature and she was unapologetic about it. She wasn’t afraid to stand out.

What I saw in Penny Marshall was someone with the magical ability to make me laugh and cry, both with her acting, as well as her directing. The person who brought us unforgettable lines like “there’s no crying in baseball” (A League of Their Own) made this world a more beautiful place. And that’s as beautiful as it gets.

Filed Under: Inside Thoughts Tagged With: actress, confidence, Individuality, Penny Marshall, redefine beauty, star, women

More Than Just A Teacher, Beyond the Classroom

August 16, 2013 by The Inside Press

The Relationship That Goes Beyond the Classroom

By Ashley Grund

Julia Fortier and Mr. Houser
Julia Fortier and Mr. Houser

Teachers: an essential part of the life of a high school student. Many Chappaqua residents love our school district for one thing in particular–outstanding teachers. The importance of the relationships built between students and teachers in high school cannot be stressed enough. Our teachers become not merely just the adults seen every day in the classroom, but mentors that have a lasting impact. This type of relationship may be rare for some students, but it exists in and throughout the Greeley community.

Senior Julia Fortier knows what it is like to have this profound connection with a teacher. Julia had Mr. Steven Houser from ninth through eleventh grade as both a history teacher and cross country and track coach. Sadly, this past school year marked Mr. Houser’s last year at Greeley after teaching there for 34 years. When asked to describe the relationship he has with Julia, he said that he and Julia have been “buddies since ninth grade.” The connection that they have emanates when they are together; Julia feels lucky to have had someone who has had such an impact on so many students throughout his teaching career.

Julia’s appreciation for Mr. Houser has grown both in the classroom and on track. She enjoyed the three classes she had with him and described him as a coach who is “very supportive and didn’t put too much pressure on anybody.” Mr. Houser recognizes that this relationship doesn’t come with every student. “It takes a special person that can go beyond ‘I have to do this for my next test.’ When this happens, it is extremely fulfilling, and it happened with Julia,’” Houser said, with a big smile on his face.

For Senior Noah Weissman, Mrs. Jacqueline Abair helped him to channel the confidence that was hidden within himself. As a sophomore in a freshman/sophomore English class, Noah took it upon himself to form relationships with the younger students. Mrs. Abair noticed this, and it is one of the many reasons she loved having Noah in the classroom. “It really impressed me how Noah welcomed the younger students,” beamed Abair. Noah was at first not a particularly strong English student, but always reached out for help, met with Mrs. Abair, communicated his ideas and eventually succeeded. “Mrs. Abair gave me the confidence I needed going into the peer leadership program tryouts. She noticed these qualities in me and knew that those evaluating me would be able to notice those qualities as well,” explained Noah.

Making a Difference

Mrs. Abair feels very humbled knowing that she has had an impact on Noah, and this relationship serves as a reminder of just how rewarding teaching can be. “Teaching is an honor, as is being able to work with children and knowing that you can make a difference,” she added.

Hearing both Julia’s and Noah’s stories made me reflect on the bonds I have had with my teachers. After freshman year, I discovered a unique opportunity in Greeley’s Chinese program. Since the beginning of sophomore year, I have been learning Mandarin Chinese and have loved every minute. People have often asked me, “Why Chinese?” The answer to this question lies in our teacher, Mrs. Ping Li, or “Li laoshi,” as we call her in class. Whether we are learning the correct way to say the tones on all the eccentric characters, or having a “culture day” with a Chinese food celebration, there is never a dull moment in class. As I approach my third year of Chinese with Mrs. Li, I am thankful for having such a great opportunity to learn this unique language in such depth and breadth. We are constantly reminded of the exact question that I often hear from all my friends: Why Chinese?

Instilling Confidence

Mrs. Li tells us that our learning of Chinese will stretch beyond the doors of the classroom. Chinese opens the door for many career paths, study abroad opportunities in college and other opportunities that one would not otherwise be able to take on. Mrs. Li has also instilled confidence in me that I carry over into other areas of my life. She constantly reminds us that by learning Chinese, we are going to make a difference in the world.

No matter how students feel about their teachers, there are always those that we will remember and tell our children and our children’s children about. For some, teachers may even affect the choice of career path or courses in college.

When a student can finally get past some of the frustrations of the high school workload and dig deeper into what is really important, teachers are always there for them at the end of the day. They are the ones that make school more than just school, and turn it into something extraordinary and life changing.

goodnight moonAshley Grund is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, her favorite book was Goodnight Moon.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Chinese, confidence, Teachers

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