MUSICAL THERAPY DOGS
E is a seven year old piano student. Last year, she had her very first piano recital. When she got there, she realized that there were a LOT more people there than she expected. Anxiety and panic took over and she immediately wanted to go home. Until four paws and a wagging tail came waddling her way.
That wagging tail belongs to one of our Musical Therapy Dogs named Gertie. Gertie was able to distract E from her performance anxiety. We were able to talk to E once she was calm and she got to walk into the recital venue with Gertie by her side. Gertie waited until E played and laid under the piano bench as she performed. After the recital, we asked her what she thought of her first recital and she yelled, “I LOVE RECITALS!” E now helps other students with their performance anxiety by sharing her experience and reminding them that Gertie is in their corner.
Our Musical Therapy Dogs aren’t only used for recitals. The bond between the students and the dogs is built in their weekly lessons. The dogs sit in and provide extra support during lessons. Therapy dogs are commonly used in libraries to help children build confidence in their reading skills by listening to them read. Our Musical Therapy Dogs do the same thing for our music students.
Abrams and Gertie make public appearances at schools and various other places. If you’d like Abrams or Gertie to come visit your school or event, shoot us an email!
MEET OUR MUSICAL THERAPY DOGS
GERTIE
Therapy Dog
BIRTHDAY | July 31, 2014
BREED | American Staffordshire Terrier and Boxer (she’s more AmStaff than Abrams!)
FROM | Rescued from Topeka when she was 1.5 years old
FAVE FOOD | Pizza…she’s a Ninja Turtle
FAVE INSTRUMENT | Piano
LOVES | To nap and run. She is SO fast!
Gertie has Stage 2 Kidney Disease (boo on genetics). She’s had surgery on both of her back legs since we’ve had her.
FRANNIE MAE
Therapy Dog in-training
BIRTHDAY | December
BREED | Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd and Rottweiler
FROM | Rescued from Purple Paws
FAVE FOOD | Pizza bones (AKA pizza crust)
FAVE INSTRUMENT | Ukulele
LOVES | Miss Emily!
WILLADEAN
Therapy Dog in-training
BIRTHDAY | January 31, 2019
BREED | English Bulldog
FAVE FOOD | All the foods!
FAVE INSTRUMENT | Snare Drum
LOVES | Her bestie Cruella!
“Having the dogs in the studio really helps with my child’s social anxiety. O has a very hard time doing things without one of her parents present, but I think the dogs helped O to feel comfortable and safe in her lessons.”
- RACHEL H.
ABRAMS
Therapy Dog
BIRTHDAY | March 6, 2014
BREED | American Staffordshire Terrier and Dogue de Bordeaux
FROM | Rescued from CA when he was 3 months old
FAVE FOOD | Sweet potato fries and cupcakes
FAVE INSTRUMENTS | Piano and Bagpipes
LOVES | To cuddle and snore
CRUELLA
Therapy Dog in-training
BIRTHDAY | April 7, 2020
BREED | Cane Corso
FAVE FOOD | Socks!
FAVE INSTRUMENT | Piano
LOVES | Her best friend Willadean
OPIE
Therapy Dog Drop Out
BIRTHDAY | May 6, 2017
BREED | American Staffordshire Terrier, Alaskan Malamute and Boxer
FROM | Rescued from Junction City Animal Shelter when he was a puppy
FAVE FOOD | Vanilla ice cream
FAVE INSTRUMENTS | Drums
LOVES | Socks (he thinks he's a house elf)
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING…
