05-13-09 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Little Canada City Center 515 I.,ittle Canada Road i,ittle Canada, MN 55117 08 Apri12009 Mayor Blesener and naeznbez•s of the City Council, We would like to follow up to the original letter dated 30 March, 2009 and provide more details behind our request to allow ownership of four dogs on an individual basis within the city of Little Canada (and not a city wide change). Due to the nature of our volunteer activities we believe it to be of serious consideration by the Council. We assure the City Council that all our dogs will be professionally trained and our primary goal for each dog is to become Delta certified and insured to work as `I•herapy Dogs. We will be happy to provide certifications to the city that each dog has entered into the Pet Therapy Program as required documentation for approval of the petition for the additional dog. Verifications of program participation will be provided and available to the city upon request. In addztioza, we will provide spay/neuter documentation as evidence to support that it is not our intention to breed these animals. W lay a fourth dog and taot three`? We found that working as a (2) dog team on each visit is highly effective given the large number of people that we see. 'I'bis has been reinforced by the overwhelming positive responses we get firm staff; patients and zesidents alike. Between the various facilities and programs, we average 70-100 personal visit's a week and logged over 2200 miles last year. "That said, we believe if necessary to integrate another (2) dog team in effort to maintain our dogs enthusiasm for the work wlaicla is a Ivey purpose. When wor]<ing with large groups, we have found it necessary to acconunodate tlae patients and residents with (2) dogs as it affords them a more porsaaal and meaningful visit. This also allows us effective coverage of entire groups. Additionally, this proves true when working the wards within approved hospital or facility areas in a timely and efficient, professional manner. The dogs are either a welcome diversion or are ezacouraging therapy-assisted animals. With respect to HIPPA laws, we can only say the need is significant; the dogs have assisted patients who are fighting through acute/complex medical events and have been a great comfort to senior residents fighting loneliness, dementia, or Alzheimer. Medical staff has commented on how the dog visits assist ha effectively addressing patient compliance and outreach. We have received many requests to make additional visits but our current two-dog team lags understandably limited endurance. We need to be effective efficient and professional abouC our volunteering. Your supporC allows us to maintain our scheduled visits with the added relief ira keeping our dogs as enthusiastic participants and continuing to make a significant difference to many in need. We appreciate your fJaworable ,c/o~nsideration in this matter, art n,~-o ,-1 7 Y iq-~ ` 7`--1-.~' ~-~ Sharon and Paul Anderson 19