Episode Transcript
Speaker 0 00:00:00 I mean, Marie Wood, Buffalo, and the rest of the world. You've tuned into the Mac city morning show. I am your host Elliot Pierre, and we're going to start the show off the same way we start every episode off with a moment of gratitude. I know you could be doing a million other things with your time. So the fact that you're spending with us truly does mean the world to me. So thank you on that note, Tanner hit him with the intro.
Speaker 1 00:00:18 She caught me, loves near listened to the next every morning show.
Speaker 0 00:00:27 Okay. And we're back. I'm excited about today's guests because, uh, I used to work for this lady back in the day. Um, as you guys know, I don't introduce my guests. I let them do that themselves. So on that note, can you please tell everybody at home who you are and what you're about?
Speaker 3 00:00:39 Sure. My name is Coralie Sam Roden, and I am a boat today, pet therapy and pause for people.
Speaker 0 00:00:46 All right. Well, let's get into this cause I have no idea what that means. So I know that you've been a lover of dogs for years. And when you first reached out, um, to say, Hey, it'd be cool. If I could come on the show, I assume that we were talking about what, like dog racing and jumping through. So then when I saw your pamphlet today, I was like, oh, and your shirt. I'm like, Hey, I assumed wrong. So let's hear all about what this organization does.
Speaker 3 00:01:10 Sure. Yeah. And you assume the dog agility. So that's, that's something different, but, um, and yes, I have been an avid animal lover for, for many, many years. Um, something my parents instilled in me as a, as a very young age. Uh, I'm a lifer in the region, you know that and, um, and you can remember running petting zoos and all sorts of things. So when I had the opportunity to join this great group called pause for people, um, which was established in 1989 by a few residents that came to the region and thought they'd take their pets to the hospital and things like that, I basically went, oh, this, this is something I can do. I have a great, great dog. So I, I joined the society and, um, heading maybe 13, 14 years now been involved with it with, uh, three different, uh, dogs for my myself, but, um, the pets and wellness society. So we're in the actual official society now, which happened a few years back, um, been around for a long time in the region. And we actually have dogs and cats that visit schools, college hospitals, senior facilities across the region. So we've done things in Anzac and Fort Macai as well. So it's an organization that brings, um, animals to people and gives them that hopefully a little bit of comfort and joy in those visits. So it's pet visitation. Okay.
Speaker 0 00:02:30 And so when the pets visit, like do, how, how long are these visits? Can they stay like for the weekend? Is it only for a few hours? How does that all transpire?
Speaker 3 00:02:39 Sure. So basically, um, the venue, so we call them venues would, um, get ahold of our association and say, we'd like to have a dog or a cat visit. And it kind of just depends on the venue. So with some of the schools, it's a, it's a weekly visit with a pet, maybe with a couple of students for an hour. Um, when we visit places like the rotary house, it's an hour visit in kind of a group setting, um, the hospital would be a one-on-one visit in a room potentially. So we tailor the visits to the venues. So what would they like to see? So, and most of the venues would be no more than an hour. Um, and this is because the dogs or cats would get quite tired after an hour. But if they are able to stay a little bit longer in some of the venues like doing the one-on-one visits, then that's acceptable.
Speaker 3 00:03:26 We also do events in the region. So we were part of the pet Memorial, um, that happened after the wildfire over there to, uh, to offer our services. Um, you know, we're out at community events to kind of just showcase who we are and what we do because a lot of people, even though we have been in the region a long time, don't know about us. So we've got a great brand new website. We've got new brochures in the pet stores because we're going to be hosting a course, as soon as we possibly can with, with our situation. So
Speaker 0 00:03:56 Home visits,
Speaker 3 00:03:58 We actually do not do personal in-home visits. We will go to group homes, but just liability wise, we wouldn't want to go right into a person's home. So that's the one area where, um, pet visitation across the country. Isn't really part of.
Speaker 0 00:04:13 And I have to assume, um, especially after the wildfire in particular, there's people who have anxiety or utilize your services more so than they ever did before, would that be,
Speaker 3 00:04:24 Yeah, that would be a great assessment. Um, basically after the wildfire, we did apply for a red cross grant. And through that grant, we were able to host five courses, which was a lot in one year, each course, bringing in 10 to 12 people. So a team is a person ended up and a dog or a cat. So we do allow cats as well. So with that, um, for example, with myself, I had three dogs in the program. I w I'm considered three teams. Each of those teams have to do a minimum number of visits. So after the wildfire, absolutely, we were, we were ramping up, we've got this grant, we had over 70 teams. So we were the largest pet visitation, pet therapy society across Canada, larger than Edmonton Calgary's red deer's. Um, and we visit the airport. That's one of the venues that we visit as well.
Speaker 3 00:05:14 So people seeing the dogs as they're coming off the plane or a worker that comes to camp that maybe left their dog at home, they come over and they get the pet that they need to get. And yeah. How do you vet the pets? So there is a pre-screen process. It's basically, um, kind of tailored around. What's called the canine good neighbor test through the Canadian kennel club, but it's a loose, um, part of that test. So they need to be able to respond well to the owner. So the handler we call them basically, it's about your relationship with your animals. So with the dogs, for example, will they walk on a loose leash? Um, can they sit, stay, will they, uh, walk through a crowd without trying to pull the person, they walk by another dog and not, you know, and handle that situation because they may have to do that, do that type of thing.
Speaker 3 00:06:06 Um, it's about being a really good team. We, we are not, um, the group that wants just the dog, that'll sit on someone's lap all the time. In many of our venues. We want people to play ball with the dog. So we go to a school, great exercise for a child to play ball with a dog. That'll bring a ball back. Right. Um, with the cats, a little bit of a different thing obviously, but, um, you know, we want them, some of them do actually, you would be surprised, but you know, we, we need them to be carried in a carrier. Um, they need to be able to walk on a harness. People think, oh, that's kind of odd. Why do you need that? Well, if a cat gets underneath a piece of furniture or something, we need to be able to coax them out. So, you know, there's a little bit of a different thing and all that is on the brand new website. Right. But they should check it out. Okay.
Speaker 0 00:06:50 Very cool. Now, in regards to yourself and animals, or do you still do dog agility competitions? I
Speaker 3 00:06:57 Still do dog agility.
Speaker 0 00:06:58 Yes. And so how many pets are you rocking now? If you got three of these? I know used to have a bunch of dogs as well that were like competition jogs. Are you, uh, are they doing double duty here or you just got like a zoo in the house now?
Speaker 3 00:07:10 No. And we're not allowed to have zoos in houses. Um, actually my, um, my three dogs that were in pet therapy, unfortunately those dogs are no longer with me. Okay. So my last one, um, passed away in March. That's okay. It happens. Um, great, great dogs in the program. So I'm currently the president, president and treasurer of this society. I don't have an animal, so I'm kind of like what they call an affiliate member. Um, but I have a new, uh, he's 16 month old puppy that was going to get tested and, and hopefully become a certified therapy animals. So he's a miniature poodle and yes, all of, all of my animals do double duty. So they become pet therapy, animals. They do their dog agility. Um, I want them to be able to walk through the stores and, you know, be with me great. A dog who can do more than,
Speaker 0 00:08:00 Yeah. There you go. Yeah. The competition's used to do it. The dogs were mind blowing. I know like nowadays, most people can like go on YouTube and see these, but back when, well that's how old I am. Um, you could not see it. Wasn't very well broadcasted. So when I would see your dogs in the competitions, are you training them at home? It blew my mind that dogs could do that and be sold Mediant to you.
Speaker 3 00:08:25 Yeah. Yeah. It's, it's, it's a blast. It really is. I think, um, when you own an animal that, you know, you want to do something with it, right? So lots of, lots of opportunity in this region to, to get out there and do things with your animal and, and therapy pet therapy is another way to just give up, give back as a volunteer. So I think our, um, our expectation of volunteers is six visits. So that's six hours over a year. That's not a lot of volunteer time, um, in my, in my opinion, but, um, many of our volunteers, you know, if they're doing the, especially the school thing, you know, during the exam week, for example, they could visit three or four times that week with their animal. And just think of the distress that the de-stressing that an animal will bring to, um, you know, a grade nine student going into their achievement exams. You know, maybe they love dogs. They can sit there, they can pet the dog, it kind of calms their heart rate down and then they can go off and write their exam potentially. So those are the great things that we're doing. Yeah.
Speaker 0 00:09:26 All right. We're at the part of the show called the Mac CD minute. This is Tanner segment. He's going to ask you a few questions. I don't know what he's going to ask you. I wish you nothing, but the best of luck Tanner hit her with the max 80 minute.
Speaker 4 00:09:37 Uh, Alrighty. Question number one. What is one reason everyone would enjoy a visit with one of your animals?
Speaker 3 00:09:45 Um, I think that an animal for the most part, as long as you're not afraid of them or anything, we'll allow you to just kind of relax and bring, uh, it just brings a smile of with the three that I had, they did many tricks. So I could probably make that, you know, a person smile with by showing them a trick. But that the big thing for me is that sometimes people don't even realize the benefit. They might be grumpy that day. And then all of a sudden they're petting an animal and they're having a conversation. So it's not just about the animal, it's the catalyst to the conversation. And that's a really cool to see. Sometimes seniors don't get visits, but when you bring in an animal and a person that they can talk to, you know, and have that conversation. So that's the joy,
Speaker 4 00:10:28 Um, question number two. What is your favorite part of getting to work with dogs and cats all the time?
Speaker 3 00:10:35 Oh, I would love to say that they don't talk back, but sometimes they do. Um, I don't know. I'm smiling all the time when I talk about them. So it must be me. Joy
Speaker 4 00:10:47 Question. Number three. Are you a dog or cat person?
Speaker 3 00:10:52 Well, I'm sorry to all those cat lovers, but I'm definitely a dog person. I love my dogs.
Speaker 4 00:10:58 Question number four. What is one thing your therapy animals can do that might shock people?
Speaker 3 00:11:07 No, I'm not. That's a, that's a great question because I would probably say bring joy, but so many people know the animals, uh, bring joy. Um, and so many of them are different. So we have everything from three pound Yorkies to great Danes to mass devs. So I remember one time, you know, I digress a little bit, but I remember one time going to the hospital and, um, this one fellow weed, he would not want to visit. I'm allergic to dogs. Nope. I'm not. I don't want to visit your dog border Collie, beautiful animal. I think she was the best. And then I went and did a practical visit with a new student that had, um, uh, a sandwich. And, um, he was like, oh, I'll have a visit. That's a dog. And it was like, what? Yeah. So it just, every different kind of dog just brings that kind of joy to people. So there you go.
Speaker 4 00:11:57 And your final question, what is one characteristic that your animals share with the people they help?
Speaker 3 00:12:04 Oh, I got to go to my Ember dog. She was my heart dog and she just knew, um, she just knew when somebody needed a little extra attention or a little extra love. Um, the story I always tell during the course is of her. A gentleman at one of our venues was, was fairly grumpy. He didn't want to visit and she loved to play ball. And somehow there was five or six people there. She brought him the ball, right. And she's a border Collie. And when you touch the ball, the game's on. So she just brushed it off for lap, or he brushed it off his lap and she picked it up and put it on his lap. And he was like, I don't want to play with you. And he brushed it and he put a little farther. She picked it up and brought it back.
Speaker 3 00:12:45 I swear, within 10 pushes of that ball, the man stood up and he was playing ball with my dog. And after that, I get goosebumps just thinking about it. After that visit, he came up to me and he said, thank you. I said, no problem. He said, I'm sorry. I was really grumpy. And I just didn't want to be here. And I was told I had to be here. She somehow knew that he needed that 15 minutes or that moment she didn't play with anybody else. Like that day, I had two of my dogs there. So the other dog got played with the other people, but she just knew. Right. And I think that is something that just, I'll never forget that moment when he said, thank you. And I just said, that's okay. We all have bad days. I'm glad she was able to write in your moment.
Speaker 0 00:13:30 Very cool. And those have been your five questions.
Speaker 3 00:13:33 Thank you so much.
Speaker 0 00:13:34 Good job, Tanner, always insightful questions from Tanner. So back in the day used to play soccer. Do you still play soccer?
Speaker 3 00:13:40 I don't play soccer anymore. I have a bad leg.
Speaker 0 00:13:43 Yeah, but you used to play with a brace on I did. I remember it cause like
Speaker 3 00:13:47 Do agility now with a brace on, do
Speaker 0 00:13:49 You, okay. So with this agility competition, let's delve. Cause I've never asked questions about it before. I've seen you do it, but I don't know anything about it. How did you get into that?
Speaker 3 00:13:59 Well, again, I seem to have a lot of funny stories, but I had to say it because it's just such a cute story. I love, I love my dog. He was great. He could do over a hundred tricks. Teddy. He was the catalyst to the starting this training. My mom said to me one day, you know what? Ted would probably be good at agility. I heard about this happening in Fort McMurray, just above Norstar pets. The lady that used to run that business started it and maybe you'll meet a fella.
Speaker 0 00:14:28 Okay.
Speaker 3 00:14:29 Yeah. That's why I started agility. My dog was really good at tricks and maybe I would meet a fella. So, uh, I started and within, uh, about a year he was ready to go to competition and I started taking him to competition. And few years later he went to north American championships and in, came in sixth place and I haven't looked back since. Yeah, that's
Speaker 0 00:14:51 Awesome. So now in regards to the competitions, like where do these competitions take place?
Speaker 3 00:14:58 So depending on what you want to do, they take place all over the north American dog. Agility association is, um, across north America. We're also in Australia now and in Canada and Canada in the U S so I have done competitions on north American championships. The year that I won with, uh, one of my dogs, um, in 2018 was in Ohio. Okay. So straight from Ohio, all the way down to Utah, um, you can go to competitions in Alaska, if you would like in Fort McMurray, those of us that compete in, in dog agility. Um, we actually have to travel outside the region unless we do what we call video trials. So we're actually hosting one next weekend, but it's like a little mini trial where myself as a judge, I can videotape the run and then submit it. Okay.
Speaker 0 00:15:46 Now are there cash prizes to this or is it just
Speaker 3 00:15:50 Bragging rights? It's bragging rights and ribbons. Nothing wrong with that. Yeah. No, it's, it's all about the love of the game. Yeah.
Speaker 0 00:15:56 Yeah, no, it's fascinating. And so I guess my next question, and once again, I'm not a pet person, sorry, everybody at home. I know right in the comments, Elliot's a bad person. Um, how do you select an animal to do these types of competitions? Like your mom said, oh, your dog has a lot of energy let's and he can do some tricks. Like, is there a certain dog that's better bred for this? Or how does that all work?
Speaker 3 00:16:23 No, I don't think there's a certain dog. That's, that's bred for it. It's really about a relationship with an owner and an a and a dog. So the dog that you're actually gonna meet next is, uh, is an agility dog as well. And so they come in all different shapes and sizes and you just work with what you have. And some people are part of the program and never go to competition because they just don't want to, it's not their thing. And that's okay. It's still building a relationship with your animal and others go on to competition. And then others just go, you know, kind of crazy like me and, and trained to win championships or go down to the states are,
Speaker 0 00:16:59 So how many you, you said, unfortunately, one of your pets passed away. Um, you have a new one. You just only have one dog right
Speaker 3 00:17:07 Now. I only have the one. Oh, wow. I find
Speaker 0 00:17:09 That extremely hard to believe me
Speaker 3 00:17:10 To
Speaker 0 00:17:12 Yeah. Used like used to have like three on the go at one point that I was aware of like the amount of work that it must take to take care of all those pets is enormous.
Speaker 3 00:17:22 It is. But when you love what you do, there you go, you know, you get, just do it.
Speaker 0 00:17:26 I love it. And you're always smiling. That's the one thing I've always remember. I would do quarterly. Like you were always a very happy person. Well, thank you very much. That's something that's always stood out with, uh, with you. So it must be because of the pets
Speaker 3 00:17:39 Must be because of the pets, for sure. Yeah.
Speaker 0 00:17:41 And your general outlook on life. Okay. That's it short and sweet. I know people get nervous, but 20 minutes
Speaker 3 00:17:47 Flies. Oh, I'm not nervous at all. Just talking to you is great. But you know, I did just say pet therapy, if anybody's interested in it. Um, you know, pause, Y M m.dot.com is our.ca is our website pause ymm.ca new. So it's, you know, get ahold of us. Like we, we want to get teams going and we want to get visits out there. We know how important it is. So Facebook page. Yeah. We have a Facebook page as well. Okay. What's
Speaker 0 00:18:13 It called?
Speaker 3 00:18:15 Uh, we'll ask the next person that comes in the room. I
Speaker 0 00:18:17 Don't have the exact page. You got a website. People can find Facebook page
Speaker 3 00:18:20 Website emails
Speaker 0 00:18:22 So people can find it. Not the end of the show. You just, you jumped the gun. So now you get, you got to do double duty. Everybody gets a shameless shout out or plug. Now you just did a nice little plug, but now you actually get to do another one. So who do you want to send out your shameless, shout out or plug to?
Speaker 3 00:18:39 Uh, I'm going to plug all the, all the dog and cat owners out there that know how much their animals impact their lives that they think they could share with somebody else to volunteer a little bit in, in this community. Just, just give a little bit, make it home no matter how long you're here to stay. So I've been here. Oh, I'm going to date myself 49 years. My parents have been here for 51, make your community, your community. And if this is something that you could be passionate about, join us. We'd love to have you
Speaker 0 00:19:13 Love it. Love it. Okay, well please come back again and again, anytime you want to come to the show, anytime you have anything to promote, definitely that seed is always ready for you. Great. Good
Speaker 3 00:19:23 Seeing you again, you as well.
Speaker 0 00:19:25 All right. Well, Fort McMurray, wood, Buffalo, and the rest of the world. That's been another episode of the Mac city morning show. Once again. Thank you so much for tuning in. It really does mean the world to me. I hope you're having a great day and we'll see you tomorrow. Peace.
