THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 7, 1995 TAG: 9505050206
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Awards were given to two Chesapeake residents and a Portsmouth resident recently.
They were so proud of the recognition from the state Mental Health and Community Services Board that they barked with approval and licked the hand of the presenter of the award.
They were three public service pooches who were honored on April 19 for their work as therapy dogs.
The honorees are Duke, an English springer spaniel belonging to Ike and Martha Eisnaugle of Chesapeake; Ivory, a golden retriever belonging to Elaine Macaig of Chesapeake; and Higgins, a poodle belonging to Paula King of Portsmouth.
The dogs and owners are members of Chesapeake-based Chapter 83 of Therapy Dogs International, a group that uses dogs as a way to provide therapy, companionship and friendship to mentally and physically disabled folks and the elderly residing at nursing homes.
Duke, Ivory, Higgins and other therapy dogs are brought to nursing homes and other facilities by their owners on a regular basis. There the pooches perform tricks and simply give their paw in friendship to lonely and isolated residents.
According to national studies and the Therapy Dog owners, these visits do wonders for the elderly and disabled people.
``We've seen so many people come out of their shell, just because of our visits,'' Martha Eisnaugle said. ``Now the residents look forward to their visits. It makes their day.''
Eisnaugle also said this award is just a way to prove that these gentle and people-friendly dogs do make a difference in the lives of Virginians.
She said the trip was a thrill, even for the proud owners.
``Their owners were allowed to accompany them,'' Martha Eisnaugle said with a laugh.
The community-minded canines were honored at the dining room of the Jefferson Hotel, and all three behaved themselves while lunch was served.
``They're specially trained to behave in public and not make a nuisance of themselves,'' Eisnaugle added. ``That's why they're therapy dogs. They love people.'' One smart tomato?
William Bland doesn't know how much longer it will take.
The Sparrow Road resident regularly plants tomatoes in his yard, later harvests them, lets them ripen and then enjoys them in salads, sandwiches and other dishes.
But he's got one that refuses to be eaten.
``I've got this one tomato - it's about 3 inches in diameter - that has been on my windowsill since October,'' Bland said. ``And it's still green.''
Bland said he's never seen anything like this. The recalcitrant tomato is still firm and hard, not mushy, he said. It gets plenty of morning sun from the east every morning, but so far, it hasn't done much good.
``All of the others I grew in that batch all ripened, and I ate them. They all tasted real good,'' he said.
But Bland said he has plenty of patience and will wait until the reluctant veggie decides to ripen.
``It's the only one of the bunch that survived,'' he added. ``If it ever gets ripe, I might eat it, too.''
- Eric Feber by CNB