More about pet therapy at Castle Point VA hospital

Thanks to Annette Smith for writing this nice e-mail in reference to an article in the Poughkeepsie Journal (see this entry) about pet therapy going on at Castle Point.

Great coverage of yesterday's "mass" dog therapy event, and especially for allowing the Castle Point facilities to get such a nice "plug." My Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Nicky, and I were there also, and I more than agree with everything you stated.

I, too, am a Vietnam Veteran, and I, too, have used the Castle Point Out Patient facilities for many years with nothing but Accolades for their staff.

During our Therapy Dog visits I am able to see the "every-day" running of the Castle Point Nursing Facility, and must say that I see very dedicated people who personalize each and every veteran. As they accompany me, I marvel at how they are able to greet each patient by name, and stop to have a small chat about their family, pet, past experience, or whatever topic is special to that particular veteran.

Castle Point is certainly a home away from home for many well-deserving veterans, and the Therapy Dog program certainly helps to enhance this.

Again, thank you

Annette Smith

Pictures from Castle Point

I had the pleasure today of talking with veterans at the Castle Point campus of the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System, which is run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Six therapy dogs and owners were in attendance to show what they do for our veterans.

The pictures are courtesy of Nancy Winter of the public affairs office. My story will run in the Poughkeepsie Journal tomorrow.

(EDIT: Here's a link to the article.)

Embiggen for more detail.

Here's Donna Toth and Shasta.


This is Annette Smith and Nicky Rose.


Here is veteran Frank Liberti being greeted by Shasta and Donna Toth.


Tag and his owners Lauri and Dave Foley. Foley is himself a veteran and volunteers to give back to his fellow veterans.


Gilda keeps her tongue sticking out. Her owner is James Tipping who is also a veteran.


A group picture with veteran Frank Liberti, Marilyn Coates with Max, veteran Clifford Hadden, Dave and Lauri Foley with Tag, Annette Smith with Nicky Rose, Mary Ann Bopp with Mindy, veteran Louis Peteli, Donna Toth with Shasta, veteran Phil Puntigan, James Tipping with Gilda. Castle Point recreational therapist Gretchen Smith is in the back row behind Peteli.