Southern Wisconsin Canine Therapy Dog Association is one of the few Therapy Dog groups in the state of Wisconsin that is recognized by the American Kennel Club
Meet | Bios

Meet | Bios

  • Barley

    I fostered and adopted Barley from LEARN, an organization that specializes in lab rescues. He and his littermates were found in a ditch in TX, and brought to WI on a cold and snowy February day when they were about 9 weeks old. We're guessing his birthday is November 26, 2000. I always say he chose me. The whole litter was adorable, but his eyes never left me, and to this day, we have a special connection. We thought he was full lab, but he never grew past 48 pounds, and he has long, soft hair that gets curly in the winter. Any guesses? 

    I knew he'd make a good therapy dog when he showed little to no fear of people, and his sweet, loving, playful personality continued to develop. Have you ever heard of a camera shy dog? Well, meet Barley! He's introverted around cameras and other dogs, although still friendly. He loves to play "go get the ball" and "chase me while I have the ball", but he doesn't bring it back. He's a silly boy! Barley likes to go for runs, walks, swim, kayak, and chase the 4-wheeler, but most of all, he loves to snuggle and sleep. He currently works with me in my classroom at Brodhead High School. He has about 300 friends who he visits 2-3 times a week. He prefers to work in a spacious, moderately quiet, peaceful environment. When Barley's not at school, you can find him being a loyal farm dog at our home in Brodhead, WI, or "working" at Cardinal Car Wash.  

  • River

    River has a contagious personality wrapped up in a big fluffy body. He's made many friends since starting Therapy Dog school and loves meeting new people and dogs. Since he was a puppy, River has always wanted to be the center of attention, and becoming a therapy dog has gifted him the opportunity to be just that. River and I enjoy working in a variety of different environments; nursing homes, assisted living centers, the Rock County Juvenile Center, and many others. When not doing his therapy dog duties, River enjoys wrestling with his big sister CC, playing with a tennis ball (and not bringing it back), and chasing squirrels in his backyard. I work a full-time job in Merchandising and spend my evenings and weekends being involved in the community and our association. We hope to get in with other organizations soon to help a variety of other people in need of Therapy Dog Support. 

  • Tug

    Kym is working on the bio for Tug. We'll have it posted here soon.

  • Murphy

    Murphy was born 11/28/21 in Missouri, he is an English Labrador Retriever. His nickname is  “BIG MURPH”, he loves swimming, his blanket, squeaky toys, and playing with other dogs and people. As a therapy dog, he loves spending time with children and getting love and pets from anyone.

  • Nugget

    I am a 2-year-old Golden Doodle (mostly Golden with a little Doodle). I have so much energy that I require two handlers (Deb and Terry), which allows me to go to a variety of places. My favorite things in the world are playing fetch, swimming, and going for car rides. I don't care where we go, I just want to go! I also love a lot of attention and will paw at you if you are not paying enough attention to me. I look forward to meeting a lot of new people and dogs!

  • Skye

    Hi!  I’m Skye, an energetic and affectionate Golden Retriever certified as a therapy dog.   I have completed extensive training in obedience and socialization which allows my effervescent personality to shine when meeting people of all ages.  I love to travel with my family especially if it involves training of any kind.  I enjoy playing fetch, swimming, dock diving, and competing in K9 scent detection sports when not bringing smiles and comfort to everyone I meet.  I particularly love to make people smile with my tricks.  It would be a pleasure to meet you!

  • Casper

    Casper is a Golden Retriever born in 2022. His cream-colored coat reflects his English Cream heritage—a lighter shade of the traditional American Golden Retriever that comes from European bloodlines. He’s titled in Canine Good Citizen (CGC), CGC Advanced, CGC Urban, Novice Obedience, STAR Puppy, plus classes in Fit Dog, Tricks, Novice Rally, Novice Agility, Farm Dog, Hoops, Bomb Proof, and weekly intermediate Obedience drop-in sessions.

    Casper is a happy, friendly soul who loves people and playing with other dogs. He’s always excited to meet new people in our Therapy Dog visits. Currently, we participate in regularly scheduled senior housing and nursing home visits. We’ve also participated in library visits and public events. We look forward to participating with SWCTDA in other opportunities where Therapy Dogs can provide comfort to people who appreciate sharing in the love only a wonderful dog spirit like Casper can give!
     

  • Yoda

    I young adult mixed breed. Most people think I am a lab, but according to my DNA, I am mostly a German Shepherd. While I appear mostly aloof to most, I love meeting new people and crave constant attention. I get along with people of all ages and have visited a variety of places, including colleges, libraries, k-12 schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and even the jail for juveniles. As long as people are willing to pet me, I am happy. I forget sometimes that I only have one eye, but it is a topic of conversation everywhere I go. I lost my eye due to glaucoma when I was 2; having only one eye does not limit me at all, and does not prevent me from getting into trouble!

  • Barcklee

    Barcklee is a 3-year-old Yorkshire terrier. Most standard Yorkies weigh 7 lbs. As Barcklee weighs more than that, he is considered a giant Yorkie. His birthday is May 23rd. His name is an acronym created by combining the first letters in my grandchildren’s names and my name. He lives with Shaymus and a very tolerant cat, Misty. He is a very affectionate dog who will choose a lap over his bed. Chewing paper, toilet paper, dollar bills, and socks are his favorite pastimes. "Puppy treats" are never turned down. Bananas have become a favorite. He gets very excited when visiting with children. He likes all kinds of toys but greatly relishes stealing them from Shaymus. I call him my little shadow as wherever I am, he is. A true companion dog.

  • Ellie May

    Ellie May was born on July 31, 2021. She lives with Stacey and Tom Speich. She has a younger sister who is also a Golden Retriever, and she enjoys snuggling and playing with her sister. Ellie May spends her time going camping with her family and loves to explore new places and meet new people on her adventures. She is obsessed with tennis balls and loves to play scent games.  Her favorite past time is participating in classes through the Janesville Beloit Kennel Club. She particularly enjoys doing agility and barn hunt. Ellie May has participated in numerous obedience classes, canine good citizen, bomb proof, and various other classes where she enjoys being around other dogs and people. Of all the things that Ellie May participates in, she seems to enjoy going to nursing homes and greeting the residents the most. She is always described as a sweet girl with big brown eyes. Ellie May is looking forward to meeting more people through her work at the Southern Wisconsin Canine Association and hopes to bring joy to everyone she crosses paths with.

  • Beckett

    Mr. Beckett is our 6-year-old Teddy Bear. Since he was nearly 12 weeks old, we started to acclimate him to come to our chiropractic office. It was a year of training for him to be completely certified as a Therapy Dog. We tell our patients he has an old soul as he is very calm and quiet while working. He is so comfortable when he is at work laying wherever it pleases him.  He will get up and sit next to the patients who seem to need some calming and other people he won’t even move for. His favorite activities are doing anything with his family, car rides, riding in a stroller with me on runs, or sitting and relaxing. Beckett’s work life consists of about 20 hours per week working at Stuckey Family Chiropractic in Janesville. 

     

  • Finn

    Hi, my name is Finn and I’m a Bernadoddle, which is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. I was born in Missouri in September of 2022. 
    I enjoy going on long walks through downtown Janesville with my mom. I had a great time walking in the Janesville Jolly Jingle Parade showing off my people skills.  I also enjoy the company of other dogs and am passionate about chasing balls.  I’m even learning how to catch them.  Even though I love activity, I can be super chill which comes in handy when visiting the elderly.  My mom, Mary, and I are working together as a therapy team in the Southern Wisconsin Canine Therapy Dog Association. We are looking forward to helping others in the community, especially in Cancer centers. 
     

  • Odin

    Odin is a cream-colored labradoodle who loves everyone. He's never met someone who doesn't adore him, and he gets along well with other dogs too.  His favorite things in the world are balls, treats, and meeting people. He can't wait to meet you!

  • Rocco

    Hi, my name is Rocco! I live on a horse farm with my pawrents. I am a Cane Corso, around 130lbs. My Birthday is June 12th, 2022, and I like to celebrate it with all my friends. I have a lot of friends – humans of all ages, cats, dogs, chickens, and equine! I always want to make more friends. I know I can look intimidating, but I have always had a sweet disposition. I am the definition of a gentle giant. My pawrents and trainer have taught me to continue to be kind and thoughtful of others. I take treats gently and I love to soak in all the affection I can get. When I’m not keeping watch over the farm, I’m going for walks and watching tv with my dad. I also enjoy going to visit retirement centers, juvenile centers, and hospitals, and love to take my pawrents shopping in various stores. I love visiting new places. I look forward to every adventure.

    Love and God Bless, Rocco

     

  • Peanut

    Peanut is a sweet and affectionate five-year-old Golden Retriever. She has been certified as a therapy dog since 2021 and has spent most of her therapy days at Edison Middle School in Janesville. Peanut enjoys traveling, especially to Upper Michigan, swimming, playing fetch, and hiking. She loves being around people of all ages but seems to have a special understanding and connection with young adolescents.

  • Bentley

    Greetings I was born 8/27/2023 and I am a Standard Poodle that often has a variety of haircuts so I don't always look like my breed. I became a Certified Therapy Dog on my first birthday. I enjoy being outdoors and on new adventures. I am happy to give kisses to anyone who comes down to my height. I love all people, especially children as well as other dogs. I look forward to meeting you. 
     

  • Coco

    Coco is a Golden Retriever born in July of 2022, and adopted by our family in September of that year. We love how snuggly and calm she is. Coco has taken classes through the Southern WI Canine Therapy Dog Association, where she earned her Therapy Dog certification. There is a big personality within this sweet gentle dog. She loves long walks, belly rubs, holding hands, visiting people, and making new friends, young and old.

  • Tarza

    Hi!  Hello, my name is Tarza Jane. I am a one-year-old German Shepherd. I came into the world on February 22, 2023, and my family took me in as a foster child. After having me for a month, I won them over with the way I am so obedient and love to please them that they couldn’t resist keeping me as their own. That’s what they call a foster fail! But that’s not a bad thing, my mom and I bonded so much that I had to stay in her life. I spend a lot of time on the farm with my brother, Rocco, who is also a therapy dog. I also have an elderly sister who is a Catahoula/Border Collie mix. I like to go visit my friends in nursing homes, jail, and in the hospital. I am very comfortable in many other settings because my favorite job is making people smile. Thanks for listening. Paw paw for now!

  • Benelli

    Benelli is a Standard Poodle who loves meeting new friends! He supports the students and staff at both Poynette Elementary and Poynette Middle School in Poynette, WI where Lynn is the Associate Principal. Benelli greets students as they arrive at school to ensure everyone is feeling welcomed, calm, and focused for a day filled with learning. He supports students with emotional and behavioral regulation, reading (he's a really good listener!), social emotional learning, and helping with transitions or tricky parts of the day - like when there is a test! He helps students make new friends during recess and even helped with a science fair project! He is available to staff who might need a little pick me up or an opportunity to de-stress throughout the day. When he's not working, he loves going for long walks, playing with any stuffed squeaky toy and snuggling on the couch. He loves pup cups and any type of treat!

  • Coda

    After a successful entertainment career, raising four daughters, Girl Scout leader for twenty-four years, twenty years as a children’s choir director, dance instructor for twenty-four years and designer and seamstress for thousands of costumes, I am finally retired! Whew! Some relaxing time ahead. Get a dog and travel. Enter Coda, my Standard Poodle.

    Coda and I started training together during Covid and earned her AKC CGC, CGCA, and two Trick Dog titles. We then became a therapy dog team in 2020 when Coda was a year old. That lead to me joining the Janesville Beloit Kennel Club and the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson. I became Membership/Outreach chair at JBKC and President for KCFA and train dogs for both clubs.

    Although our first love is Therapy and Outreach, Coda and I have worked together to acquire over thirteen titles from AKC in different events. Barn Hunt, Rally Obedience, Trick Dog and Fetch are a few of our favorites. We also love to camp, hike, and Kayak together. My husband since 1976, David, joins in as often as he can, considering his busy schedule, to travel the US and see our daughters and their families.

    We are happy to add SWCTDA to our exciting and busy days and look forward to getting to know you all.

    Blessings to you all, Cynthia and Coda  

  • River

    Hi, I'm River! I started my journey as a playful young pup near Juda, where I loved chasing cattle and horses alongside my mom and dad. On January 8, 2023, my life took a wonderful turn—I was adopted! Born on September 22, 2022, I soon found myself exploring town with my new mom, embracing every adventure that came my way.

    Now, my favorite pastimes include chasing squirrels and digging up pesky moles. When it comes to food, I’m not picky—I love whatever my mom is eating! Lucky for me, she makes special homemade meals with fresh meat and veggies, just for me.