Therapy dog spreads cheer with Christmas book for kids
Updated: 2 minutes ago
On the latest “Pet Pals TV” segment, host Patty Spitler and News 8’s Garrett Bergquist were joined by Donna Burns and Ollie, a local Schnauzer and therapy dog, to talk about how Ollie is spreading holiday cheer through his new book, “Ollie’s Three Christmas Wishes.”
Subtitled “One Wish, One Wag at a Time,” the book is designed for children but appeals to adults who follow Ollie’s journey as a therapy animal.
Ollie has spent five years visiting assisted living facilities and nursing homes in Indianapolis, Columbus, and Seymour. Burns said the inspiration for the book came directly from the impact Ollie has on the people he visits.
“He just looks into my soul,” one resident told Burns, noting that the dog makes everyone feel better during his visits.
In addition to his therapeutic work, Ollie is a trained entertainer. His daily routine includes practicing tricks, such as a hopscotch routine he performs with a stuffed teddy bear. Burns trains with him throughout the day to maintain his skills.
During his television appearance, Ollie demonstrated his athleticism by successfully “dunking” a basketball into a hoop three times.
The book is available for purchase at kidsatheartpublishing.com. Interested readers can also email Burns at burnsdonna1105@gmail.com to place an order.
To learn more, watch the full interview!
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