Tails wag for Shirley Colman and her therapy dogs

Post date: Aug 11, 2010 8:53:01 PM

May 16, 2010 - La Mesa resident Shirley Colman will be honored by 10News this week for her work with therapy dogs to assist others through a variety of programs.In 2008, Colman initiated an effort to increase the number of therapy dog Teams in San Diego county. Working through an international, non-profit organization dedicated to regulating, testing and registering therapy dogs and their handlers to visit nursing homes, hospitals and other institutions she organized and promoted therapy dog evaluations by opening up her residence to hold the certification tests. Because of her work there over 100 more therapy dog Teams in San Diego county.In April of 2009, she coordinated a Chldren Reading to the Dogs program that gives students the opportunity to read to dogs, allowing the children to learn how to read and also reducing their stress by the presence of the therapy dogs. As she looked to expand her efforts, Shirley started “Event Dogs" as a simple mailing list to staff many more therapy dog events with therapy dog Teams of any current registry. It’s currently known as “List Srv 4 Therapy Dog Teams” and it acts as a list server for various volunteer registered therapy dog Team events around the county. She also organized successful De-Stress Fests for UCSD students, faculty and staff members as well as other venues. Through her work, many people benefit from therapy dog visits, reading programs and various activities.Because of her dedication to assisting others through therapy dogs, Colman will receive the 10News Leadership Award on Wednesday May 19 in the category of “Volunteerism and Community Action.” Watch 10News Live at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 20 for the presentation of the award.

Article provided by OurCity San Diego