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On August 22, 2007, Isis
(Ilsalee) Gray-Hound became the only
greyhound in the country to earn 500 therapy
dog service hours and one of only a handful
of therapy dogs nationwide- of any breed-to
accomplish this honor. Isis is a
certified Therapy-Assistance Dog with
Helping P.A.W.S. International and a member
of the Triangle Greyhound Society.
Titan, Isis'
brother, has crossed the 500 hour yardstick.
He has 508 hours as of December 31, 2008.
Update!!!
Isis has
passed 640.50 hours as of December 31,
2008
Isis
along with her handlers have earned many
awards. Isis serves as the president of the
Helping Paws Fur-board assuming that position
from her sister, Founding Fur-Therapist Cassie
Gray-Hound. Isis lives with fur-siblings Titan
and Charlie. Together they currently serve as
fur-facility Directors at Dorthea Dix
Hospital, Spring Arbor and Heritage in
Raleigh, NC.Over the years Isis has served as
fur-director at Carver, Abbotswood, Spring
Arbor and Durham Learning Services. Isis is
also one of Helping Paws' demonstration dogs
for Helping Paws Therapy Dog Training classes.
Isis became a certified
therapy dog on June 19, 2002. She has
been averaging about 100 patient contact hours
per year. Isis earned most of her hours
working with the patients at Dorothea Dix
Hospital in Raleigh, NC. She has also
worked at Ronald McDonald Houses and at
numerous nursing and retirement homes.
Almost 100 of her hours were as a reading
assistance dog in Helping Paws B.A.R.K.S
program. Isis is a performer! She loves
to entertain her patients by doing tricks for
them. Her favorite trick is her bow and
saying her prayers.
Isis was adopted from Greyhound
Friends of North Carolina in February of 2002,
when Isis' sister Cassie went to Rainbow
Bridge quite suddenly. A grey
named Patsy at Durant Road almost became the
new fur-kid of her parents, but fate lead them
to Isis and she has been a superb therapy
dog! Isis will do anything asked of
her. She will work 3-4 hours straight in
a sweltering hot nursing home while dressed in
a very hot costume –like her Santa suit or
witch costume --and she will be just as
energetic with the patient #245 as she was
with patient #1. Isis does her best work
when in costume and has even won serveral
costumes contests.
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Isis has some unique abilities. While
she learns new commands quickly, she learns
best by watching another dog perform
something; e.g., she learned to shake hands by
watching a German Sheppard do it only three
times. Isis also excels as a reading
assistance dog. Somehow, she instinctively
knows when a child has made a mistake. She
will look up and whine giving her handler the
perfect opportunity to say, “Isis said she
needs help with this word. Let’s teach her how
to say it.”
Isis has already started on her next 100
hours. On October 1st, she will resume
her duties as a reading assistance dog and on
October 3rd she will celebrate her 8th
birthday. She has asked for a big
birthday bash with all of her doggie friends
–if only Mom can find the time to plan
it. While she does a little ambassador
work with TGS, she hopes to increase that this
year. Isis is also thinking about taking
up freestyle dancing. Isis absolutely
loves to stand on her hind legs, spin 10-15
spins in place; then, break out into some 3-4
ft. wide circles.
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