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RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS
JULY 27, 2012
Dog Truffles is a ‘pillow with a heart’ Surf Dog clinics will set
stage for salute to sailor
By Christina Macone-Greene
Truffles, a therapy dog, sneezes on command when his handler asks if he has a cold. An impressive trick to the average dog owner, but for Nancy Stanley, it’s one of many she has taught Truffles over the years. Truffles and Stanley recently visited the San Diego Fox 5 News Station to keep viewers up to date on their book signings and future plans, but most of all, it was an opportunity to talk about their teamwork to help those in need. “Mainly, our interview was to talk about how Truffles and I have grown,” said Stanley, a Carlsbad resident. Over the years, she and Truffles have visited with people experiencing loneliness or personal turmoil, even young victims of abuse. Stanley has seen firsthand how pet therapy can change the direction of someone’s life. By showing love, she said, they will receive love in return instead of physical harm. “I’m trying to help change the cycle for these children who are abused,” Stanley said. “I believe that showing them how to gently hold and pet an animal gets the message across to them that their life doesn’t have to be one of abuse but one of love and respect for life.” Although Truffles is only six pounds, as far as Stanley is concerned, he has a big heart. She’s certain that he can sense and understand how people feel. Micki Robins became fast friends with Stanley and Truffles when she met them at one of their book signings. “Nancy has this wonderful ability to get beneath the skin of a situation, and Truffles is just a little bubble of love,” Robins said. “You can see that this human and this dog love and respect each other so much, and when they are around somebody who needs this, it is just there and passed on.” While on the Fox 5 set, Truffles didn’t have an ounce of stage front. In fact, Stanley called him a ham. While sneezing on cue, he also sat up with his paws airborne and launched some “high fives.” “He is a natural and he makes me more secure in front of a camera,” she said, adding how he is her own personal therapy dog. Stanley, who has owned Truffles since he was a puppy, taught him every trick that he knows. He has a vocabulary of about 120 words. Stanely, who introduced animal therapy back in 1982,
Truffles, a pet therapy dog, helps people who may be experiencing lonliness, personal turmoil, even young victims of abuse.
Nancy Stanley’s book, “Pillow With a Heartbeat,” is now in its third printing. Photos courtesy of Nancy Stanley
has been referred to by many as one of the modern day Animal Therapy Pioneers. She founded the nonprofit, Tender Loving Zoo with her first therapy dog, another toy poodle named Freeway. The duo would visit children with extreme special needs and the elderly in convalescent hospitals. Truffles is her second therapy dog. Today, Stanley and Truffles dedicate four therapy days per month on their calendar. She is also a wish grantor for The Make-A-Wish Foundation and brings Truffles when approved. Stanley and her trusty pup have also been busy this year with their book tour. Be our fan on
Her book, “Pillow With a Heartbeat,” is now in its third reprint. Stanley said the inspiration from her book actually came from a child she was a wish grantor for. “Truffles and I were on Fox last year talking about my book,” she said. “This time we were also talking about how I’m trying to raise enough money with my book, and down the road a film, so I can form a foundation that will fund charities.” For more information on Stanley and Truffles visit pillowwithaheartbeat.com or call (760) 420-7517. A percentage of book sales go to charity.
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RANCHO SANTA FE – June 30 marks the kickoff of Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Surf Dog Clinics. The classes, scheduled June 30, July 28, Aug. 11, Aug. 18 and Aug. 25, prep beach-loving pups for the annual “Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon.” The September surf competition will feature a special canine competitor whose owner has worked hard to serve his country. Naval ABH Airman Tyler Silvestri is in for a big surprise when he returns to his beloved dog Stella, as Silvestri’s mother will have taught the dog to surf. Silvestri’s mother, Jan Marshall, clearly remembers the day her son brought his puppy home. “He told me he had picked her up because he was afraid I would be lonely when he went off to boot camp,” said Marshall, “but he couldn’t fool me. That dog had Tyler’s heart the minute he laid his eyes on her.” Silvestri named the tiny brown-and-white boxer-terrier blend, Stella, and made no secret of his affections for her. The soldier traveled to boot camp in Pensacola, Florida, and journeyed as far away as Hong Kong and the Persian Gulf during his Deployment last November, but when his company was given the opportunity to give individual, live-video “shout-outs” to their family members at home, Silvestri’s went to Stella. “He said he couldn’t wait to come home and give her a big, fat, juicy steak,” said Marshall. “I didn’t care who his shoutout went to. I was just so thrilled to see his face.” The shout-out gave Silvestri’s mother an idea. “Stella makes Tyler so happy. Why not train her to do something special?” Marshall heard about Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Surf Dog Surf-AThon and Surf Clinics through an old high school friend who volunteers at the event each year. “Stella is practically a gymnast!” said Marshall. “She can do flips! I feel pretty certain she’ll be able to pick up surfing.” Marshall will find for sure when she and Stella attend the first
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Tyler Silvestri’s mom plans to surprise her son by teaching his dog Stella to surf at the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Surf Dog Clinics beginning June 30 at Dog Beach in Del Mar. Courtesy photo
Surf Dog Clinic at Dog Beach in Del Mar. The Surf Dog Clinics are taught by Kahuna Bob’s Surf School and Pet Expert Rob Kuty, from San Diego Pet Training, and cost $45 per dog (one adult per dog), including the required life vests and surf boards. Each clinic is limited to 25 dogs per class and runs about an hour in length. Registration is now open for all the Doggie Surf Clinics, scheduled Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. for five weeks. Dogs who take to the waves are encouraged to register the Sept. 9 event. All proceeds from the classes and the annual competition go toward the animals and programs at Helen Woodward Animal Center.
For more information or to register, visit surfdog.kintera.org or call (858) 756-4117, ext. 356 or stop by Helen Woodward Animal Center at 6461 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe.
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