Gabriel’s Angels

(c) 2020

My dog, Guinness, is a therapy dog. That’s why I write books about him. After he became a certified therapy dog, we became involved in a charity called Gabriel’s Angels.

Gabriel’s Angels strives to use pet therapy to instill compassion, confidence, and best behavior in at-risk children.

We like volunteering with this Arizona-based charity because it is more than ‘pet the dog.’ Gabriel’s Angels includes reading and activities in each visit that help the kids focus on positive traits, such as the three listed above.

Each therapy team must qualify to become a part of Gabriel’s Angels, including age requirements, aptitude tests, and health records.

Guinness the Therapy Dog and I are a therapy team that visits the kids in a group setting. Other teams are a part of reading skills activities.

Guinness and I love visiting!

If you are over the age of 18 and have a dog who would like to be involved in pet therapy, then get training!

I hope to see you ‘out there!’ Sonja

Consider Charity

I support Wreaths Across America, which is an organization that coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies each December. The mission of the charity is to Remember, Honor and Teach. Their goal is to place a wreath on every veteran’s grave, from every war, in every cemetery across the United States.

The wreath-laying ceremony across the country is held on the same day and at the same time.

Members of the public are invited to help lay the wreaths, which is normally preceded by a ceremony. During past ceremonies that I have attended, a veteran from each branch of service is chosen to lay a wreath in the veterans’ section of the cemetery.

Donations to buy the wreaths are taken all year, and I highly suggest attending a ceremony in December. It’s quite a touching event. You can find more information on their website: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

Find a charity you have passion for. Sonja

#Giving #Charity

Whichever form of faith you follow, this is the season of giving–the season of charity. My hope is that you give and offer throughout the year.

There are those who have little need of actually ‘stuff’. Give of your time.

There are those who are in need of love. Give your love.

There are those who are in need of food. Consider giving to your local food bank.

There are those who are in need of transportation. Consider giving your time and drive them where they need to go–if you are able.

Anywhere you look, you will find someone in need. Try to determine what it is they need without asking. Most people will deny having any need, but a few minutes of your time or a plate of cookies or small token will do wonders to bring them joy.

Give of yourself. Sonja

Motivation for Inspiration

“We make a living by what we get,
But we make a life by what we give.”

Winston Churchill

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi

“The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Every good act is charity. A man’s true wealth hereafter is the good that he does in this world to his fellows.”
Moliere

I hope you find inspiration in at least one of these quotes. ‘Tis the season of charity and giving.

Be the person who helps people smile. Sonja