Jack Sayre, Sergeant-at-Arms, reported variety behind today’s fines:  John O’Connor paid because he enjoyed ringing the bell for Salvation Army this last Saturday.  Marc Glass had his picture in the paper as he volunteered at the Manchester Road Race.  Others from our club helping there Thanksgiving Day were Bob Buettner, Jack, and Tommy “The Tooth” Galvin. 

President Bill paid to honor grandson Kevin Liner’s return to Rwanda where his team is supporting schools and also to recognize the upcoming (Dec. 16^th) wedding of Jennifer Odorczyk, who cheerfully acknowledged her new last name, Jones, will be much easier for club members to pronounce. 

Jack told us our first Saturday ringing the bell was so successful, spatulas from Stop & Shop had to be brought in to push paper money down into the kettles.  He still has a few openings for the 10^th and the 17^th.  Call Jack at 960.646.4298, if you can help on either of those Saturdays.  And, his last comment was to volunteers – last one of the day, please bring aprons back to our next club meeting, either at the Ridge or the holiday party.

Other announcements:  Ceil Collins and Bob Buettner, social committee co-chairs, reminded everyone that sign-up for holiday party is being circulated at club meetings.  The party will be at The Gallery on Wednesday evening, December 14^th, 6 PM.  

President Bill reported on Board actions at Monday’s meeting.  The board agreed to donate $4000 to help fund a global grant for eye surgeries at a clinic in Kolkata/Calcutta, India.  This will be matched by $2000 from the world fund of The Rotary Foundation, and the District will donate $4000 of this year’s district designated funds to the grant, which will be matched by $4000 of funds from the world fund of the Rotary Foundation.

The club will also donate $1000 to Rick Lawrence’s global grant for a Guatemala water project.  This will receive a $500 match.  Other donations: $400 for the food bank at The First Congregational Church, $750 to help purchase youth football helmet for the East Hartford Hornets, $3200 to help East Hartford police department purchase bulletproof vests and helmets for the four resource officers at the East Hartford High School.

President Bill also mentioned the board’s decision to renew our contract with the caterer.  Planning is underway for the duck-race fundraiser, Josh the Otter literacy project with the Y, a senior citizens lunch and School Superintendent Nate Quesnel’s leadership program.

Frank Collins won the raffle.

Ruth Sheehan introduced Gail Davis and her adorable miniature poodle, Yoda, beginning a fascinating program about therapy dogs.  Founded in 2004, located at the Bolton Veterinary Clinic, Allan’s Angels Therapy Dogs is a chapter of The Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3, an all-volunteer organization.

Gail and Yoda brought along four other teams, truly showing us the great variety of dogs involved in this effort, from Gail’s small poodle who has to travel around in a walker adapted for him so he can reach height of some of folks he helps, to Otis, a Burmese Mountain Dog, one of the largest of dog breeds, to 9-year-old Archie, a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, the only one of the dogs who made a noise during the entire program.  Archie actually barked to announce their arrival when the teams first entered the Ridge.

We learned therapy dogs are neither service dogs, which serve just one person, nor working dogs, which do everything from airport security to military service.  These dogs are specially trained to give comfort and joy wherever they go and work for all.  They have no privileges, cannot enter public buildings unless invited, and could be fined if accused of impersonating a service dog. 

Allan’s Angels is one of several groups offering training for teams.  After an initial interview to ensure the handler and the dog are generally suitable for this work, a team in enrolled in a twelve-week program before certification.  They work with individuals or groups, providing emotional support anywhere an “ANGEL” is needed.  For further information, you may contact Gail Davis, the Program Director at Allan’s Angels.  Phone, 860.490.0577, email, therapypoodle@gmail.com, http://www.facebook.com/AllansAngels .

Thanks to Ruth and program committee chair, Dan Firestone, for bringing our club another outstanding program!

Sue Klock