This story was produced by Devin Andrews
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Four-legged volunteers bring comfort, joy
come here Cal meet Judy mcmanis and her four-legged friend Calvin they’ve been volunteering with pause with CNY since 2018 my main role was to be a visitor with my trusted friend Calvin here and we do visits to schools the airport college dorms whatever Calvin keeps a busy schedule visiting various locations to provide comfort and support here at Liverpool Calvin and Judy met up with Girl Scouts including Jadis sler he was really play playful and I like that about him every year therapy dogs like Calvin bring tens of thousands of smiles to people in nursing homes hospitals schools and even the Syracuse airport Calvin is a pretty active volunteer for Paws he goes twice a month to an elementary school for a um remedial reading class and the children read to him and get rewarded by having him do tricks the impact of these therapy dogs extend Beyond just play they provide Comfort moments of stress and grief one of my favorite stories was with my first therapy dog and I was walking through the airport with him one day and a Gentleman held Tommy for 10 or 15 minutes and it turned out he had been home for his mother’s funeral for children like Jada interacting with therapy dogs like Calvin can be a joyful and educational experience M Judy taught us he like spins a l like how to get him to do that Pauls of CNY carefully selects and trains their therapy dogs to ensure they can handle various situations says I don’t but if you’ve got a dog that you think would give back to other people come and see us we’re always looking for new members there you go good job reporting from Syracuse I’m Devon Andrews NCC news
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. (NCC News) — Judy McManus and her therapy dog Calvin are touching lives throughout central New York. The duo volunteers with PAWS of CNY, an organization providing pet-assisted wellness services to the area.
Calvin brings smiles to people in nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and even at Syracuse Hancock International Airport. These canine companions and one feline, offer more than just a bit of fun. They provide comfort during stressful situations and moments of grief.
“Calvin is a pretty active volunteer for PAWS. He goes regularly to the airport for people who are stressed about flying,” said McManus, a volunteer since 2018. “He goes twice a month to an elementary school for a remedial reading class, and the children read to him and get rewarded by having him do tricks.”
PAWS of CNY maintain high standards for its therapy pets. The certification process includes an initial evaluation assessing temperament and basic obedience, online volunteer orientation, and three supervised visits at an assigned facility.
The impact of these therapy dogs extends beyond just companionship. Judy recounts a touching story about her previous therapy dog, Tommy, comforting a man at the airport who had just attended his mother’s funeral.
For children like Jayda Sliker, a Girl Scout who recently met Calvin, these therapy dogs provide a joyful and educational experience.
“He was very playful, and I like that about him,” said Sliker. She learned how to give Calvin commands, such as “spin.”
PAWS of CNY is looking for new volunteers to meet the growing need for therapy pets.
“If you’ve got a dog that you think would give back to other people, come and see us,” said McManus.
