The Western Mass chapter of Therapy Dogs United visit Westfield Gardens in costume on Oct. 27.
Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
WESTFIELD — A group of owners and their dogs from the Western Mass chapter of Therapy Dogs United has been making regular visits to schools, nursing homes and hospitals last week in Halloween costumes — the dogs, that is.
Waiting to go inside and greet the patients at Westfield Gardens on Oct. 27 were group leader Leslie Pirnie and her black lab, Sadie, in a waffle costume; Karen Wzorek with Hunter, the Shih Tzu, as a clown; Lorraine Pavlica with Riley, the Brittany spaniel, dressed as a pumpkin; Beth Lee with Cooper, a Shih Tzu, in a bee costume; Barbara Zagorski with Ripley, the bulldog, dressed as “Chuckie”; and Melanie Cannata with Riley, the cockapoo, as “Buzz Lightyear.
Pirnie said they are very busy and could always use more therapy dogs for visits. “These dogs bring such joy to the patients we visit at the nursing homes and the students who need a break from their studies,” she said.
If someone would like to participate and has a well-behaved dog, Pirnie said, they can reach her at the Canine Learning Center at 413-568-5123 to schedule a therapy dog test and sign up. Therapy Dogs United is a nonprofit based in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Pirnie has been training dogs in obedience with the Canine Learning Center since 1976. The classes are held at the Grange Hall in Southwick, and the next class begins on Nov. 30.
