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Therapy Dog, Owner Honored

Photo by Patrick Lewis

Shih Tzu Leah-Belle and her owner, Renee Randall, were honored for 350 visits to Hernando-Pasco Hospice patients in the Compassionate Paws program.

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SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF REPORT

Published: August 20, 2008

PORT RICHEY - Renee Randall and her 9-year-old Shih Tzu, Leah-Belle, have earned a distinction.

She and her 9-year-old dog are in the pet therapy volunteer program of Hernando-Pasco Hospice, Compassionate Paws, spokeswoman Jane Freeman explains. They have made 350 visits to the not-for-profit-agency's patients to bring them smiles and comfort every week.

In early August, Leah-Belle received the distinction of earning the initials TDIEVA after her name, which stands for Therapy Dog International Exceptional Volunteer Award.

Ursula A. Kempe, chief executive officer of the Flanders, N.J.-based Therapy Dogs International, praised Randall in a letter for her "dedication and humanity" and stated that "sharing yourself and your dog with others is very rare and beautiful."

HPH is the first hospice in Pasco County to initiate a dog therapy program, which now counts 50 active volunteers.

Compassionate Paws Program began in 2005 and Randall and Leah-Belle were among the first to pass the stringent tests with flying colors. Leah-Belle is also the first HPH Compassionate Paws dog to receive this TDI honor.

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