Charlotte bednarsh's Blog (29)

So proud of my 9 month old Atticus who is in training to become a therapy dog that will provide support to the youngest victims/witnesses of domestic violence/violent crime.  This picture below is now on the NYC Mayor's Office To Combat Domestic Violence website and was taken on Monday, June 12, 2017 during a children's program I supervise at the justice center:

"Our friend Atticus is still a puppy, but that…

It's National Puppy Day, so this morning I took some pics of my beautiful, goofy 6 month old australian labradoodle, Atticus. Recently, Atticus has decided that sleeping in the bathtub is preferable to his Orvis bed, or even my bed; he has figured out how to turn the shower knob with his mouth so it drips just a bit, and I find him in the bathtub, sleeping on his back, feet in the air with his head positioned so that is mouth is directly under the "dripping faucet." I tried to get a…

As most of you know, on May 31, 2016, my beloved Paz crossed the rainbow bridge after his courageous 6 month battle against canine lymphoma.I decided the best way to honor Paz's amazing memory, was to get another labradoodle puppy who could be trained as a therapy dog that would continue Paz's amazing work with young crime victims. After much research, in July, I placed a deposit for a puppy from a planned litter that was being bred in July.  I am…

Hi, I'm not sure if anyone saw my previous post but I'm hoping to get some feedback on airline approved in cabin pet carriers;  if all goes well, I'm hoping to pick up a standard size labradoodle puppy in November.  I will be flying from NYC to North Carolina to pick up the puppy and the puppy will be accompanying me in the plane cabin.  Sherpa carriers are airline approved in the small and medium size.  The medium can accomodate a puppy weighing up to 16lbs; as the puppy will be just over 8…

Hi,

I'm anticipating flying from NYC to North Carolina, to pick up my standard size labradoodle puppy in November, and bring him/her in a carrier on the plane with me to go home.  The puppy may be 13 or 14 lbs, and I'm just wondering if any of you had experience in transporting larger labradoodle puppies in the plane cabin and what brand/size carrier you used which were plane approved for transport.

Hi all,

As most of you know, this past Tuesday, my beloved Paz lost his courageous 6 month  battle with lymphoma.  I can't begin to describe the emotional pain I am experiencing, as Paz was such an important part of my life.; my apartment feels absolutely empty without his presence and I keep looking for his face everytime I open my door.  I've decided that I want to honor Paz's memory by continuing his legacy of helping the youngest victims of violent crime and towards that end, I've…

It's been an exciting week.  Paz was allowed by a New York State Supreme Court judge to accompany the kidnapping victim he had been supporting, into the courtroom and remain with her during the entire sentencing hearing of the man who had kidnapped her, and her two year old child.  He remained next to her when she confronted the man, and gave her impact statement.  When we arrived at the NY State Supreme Court, we were surrounded by flashing cameras and reporters who had gotten word that a…

Paz's renewal evaluation for his Pet Partner therapy registration took place this past Tuesday, and he achieved a complex rating.  His prior registration had a predictable rating, so I had not anticipated he would achieve the complex rating because he can be somewhat goofy when he is being tested.   I'm always nervous when we are being tested, because Paz acts like a big goof.....honestly, it can be embarrassing.  When Paz is working, he is the ultimate professional pooch, but when he is…

Just wanted to let you all know that after a week of deliberations, the jury delivered a verdict in the kidnapping trial in which Paz provided support for the victim.   The jury convicted the defendant on all counts, including kidnapping, rape, and assault.  The most serious charges carry penalties of 50 years to life, and the sentencing will be on June 1, and the victim will most likely give an impact statement ( so Paz will most likely accompany her to the court)!  Am so happy that justice…

Paz and I attended the NYC Annual Crime Victims Vigil on April 19, 2015, where Paz provided his magical four legged support to victims and their families attending the vigil.  There were approximately 500 people, many of whom had been victims of violent crimes, including sexual assault; also in attendance were family members of individuals who had been murdered.   Needless to say, it was a very emotional event, and Paz's presence had been requested to assist some of the victims attending the…

Over the past several month, during pretrial proceedings, Paz has been providing support to a young kidnapping victim who is only able to assist prosecutors when Paz is with her.  The trial is commencing next week, and the Kings County (New York) Supreme Court has granted permission for Paz to accompany the victim into the courthouse, and remain with her in a room adjacent to the courtroom; whereas he cannot accompany her into the courtroom, he will be waiting for her when she is done…

I am so proud of my boy Paz, who is a registered Pet Partner's therapy dog.  Last night Paz provided his special support to a traumatized 7 year old child who was the victim of a violent assault by an adult;  prosecutors at the NYC Family Justice Center in Brooklyn (where I work) needed the child's(victim) testimony in order to indict the person who had committed the assault, and the child was too afraid to speak.  Then Paz appeared, nuzzled right up to the child and worked his amazing magic…

To honor the memory of Brooke Jackman, who at the age of 23 perished during the attacks on the World Trade Center, Paz and I worked at the Brooke Jackman Read-A-Thon at Barnes & Noble in Tribeca (Lower Manhattan, near the World Trade Center site) this past Saturday (Sept. 7), which is an event sponsored by the Brooke Jackman Foundation; this foundation has opened the door to literacy for so many children and moms we serve at the Brooklyn…

Thank goodness the seductress whose name I am told is "Princess" did not show up during Paz's Pet Partner therapy recertification testing.  We arrived at the testing site and whenever I heard the click click of toenails, I literally shuddered, fearing the seductive poodle, replete with bows and painted toes was entering the room.  Poor Paz, he kept looking at the door hoping to see the object of his love interest.  But alas, she did not show and Paz passed the testing without the support of…

We convene a literacy program for the families we serve at the BKFJC; the literacy program is funded by the Brooke Jackman Foundation which was established to honor a young woman “Brooke Jackman” who perished during the terrorist attacks on 911.  In any event, Paz (who is a registered "Pet Partner")  accompanies me to work at the BKFJC, 1 -2 times per week to provide support for children who have witnessed domestic violence; he is…

So proud of my boy "Paz" who is called a "hero" in a media release describing  his work as a Pet Partner therapy dog with children who have witnessed domestic violence.  

http://www.bonfireimpact.com/2013/04/30/a-different-kind-of-hero-changes-lives-in-brooklyn/

Just had to share this picture of Paz and his new cousin "Daisy" who is my grandaughters' new cavalier spaniel puppy, age 5 months.  Paz and I spent the weekend watching my grandchildren, Sadie (age 8) and Josephine (age 5) and their puppy, a cavalier spaniel named Daisy, age 5 months.  Daisy and Paz are a riot together....poor Paz, he couldn't take one step without Daisy pulling his ears, tail or stealing his toys.  It was a riot to watch Paz who is almost 75lbs, chase Daisy, who is all of…

We convene a family literacy program at the Brooklyn Family Justice Center which is funded by the Brooke Jackman Foundation in honor of a young woman, Brooke Jackman, who perished at the age of 23, during the attacks on 911.  Brooke wanted to be a social worker, and help children.  Brooke loved to read, and felt all children should be provided with the opportunity to learn to read.  Towards that end, and to honor Brooke's memory, her family set up a foundation which now funds family literacy…

Hi All,

It has been so gratifying to witness the spontaneous collaboration that is taking place between the for-profit sector, including corporations such as Wag.com and others, who have partnered with the non-profit sector to provide support for pets and their owners who have been devastated by the hurricane.  Cesear Milan, however, who has made a fortune by marketing his training approach and products, seems to be absent in donating any support to non-profits providing essential and…

Hi all,

We've been out of the loop for a while because we live in Lower Manhattan and were evacuated for almost a week.  Fortunately, my son has a home in Park Slope, Brooklyn and we stayed with him and his family. During that time, Paz and I worked at an evacuation center, assisting victims.  Paz was such a huge hit,with the adults as well as the children.  Paz lumbered up to one little boy who had been crying; the child immediately stopped crying, looked at Paz and said "Wow, I…