We found a Bermese Mountain Dog mixed with a Newfoundland (big Black water dog) and picked him up today! He is 3 months old and already weighs about 22 pounds and is almost as tall as Rosie and his feet are already as big as hers! He's doing great so far and Ginger is already in love with Him as you can see from the pictures - although I don't think he'll be a lap dog for long! We even took him to horse back riding lessons with us today and he did Great and everyone loved him!

Now the training begins! It should be exciting and we'll keep you informed of the progress! Just thought you might enjoy the smile and excitement with us!

For every FIR-REAL Sauna purchased from HEALTHandMED.com, we donate $15 to help Ginger Roth continue her therapeautic riding lessons as well as helping her have a service dog.

Ginger Roth is a twelve year old girl with cerebral palsy. This condition causes a non-progressive lesion on the brain. As the body grows, muscles change and the brain does not adapt along with these changes. Muscles can tighten and lead to difficulty in walking and other everyday tasks. At this time, there is no cure for cerebral palsy, but the symptoms can be treated. In Ginger's case, one of the treatments that has been especially helpful is riding therapy at the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center. The riding center coordinator Mary Mitten explains that the gait of a horse creates a "three-dimensional" movement that emulates a normal human gait. This can help the rider stretch muscles and improve muscle memory, assisting the rider in walking.

SERVICE DOG
Her need for them can be several things. Originally it was for Balance and mobility, but as her needs are changing, they can be trained to help pull her wheelchair, pick things up for her, turn on lights, assist in transitions to and from places (like wheelchair to her chair or bed etc.). They can be trained to assist in opening doors, pushing elevator buttons, getting her clothes, shoes etc.

They can also help her at school so she has better access to playground equipment, transitioning, bathroom help, and carrying things for her etc. It depends on what she needs or wants. I think more than anything, just haveing the constant companionship is comforting and makes her happy. She has to use her voice more to command the dog and be more aware of her circumstances as well as thinking about other's etc.

She also has the benefit of someone with her to help her up if (when) she falls. He's with her constantly (idealy) and is always a friend who loves her unconditionally and she has someone to love as well. She often just sits down on the floor and wraps her arms around the dog or lays on top of him or she'll sing him little love songs she makes up. It's really cute! I think the emotional benefits have been more of a blessing than anything I ever expected. It's an amazing relationship!!

THERAPEAUTIC RIDING