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What City and State do you live in? Summerville, SC
How many newfoundlands do you currently live with? 3, Abraham whose turning 7, Hallie Bear whose 6 and Toby, a Newfie/Bernese Mountain mix who is 4
Do you have other breeds? Tell us about them? Yes, Amber a 13 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Do you have other creatures? 2 rescued cats, Simon and Nala
Are you an active breeder? No
What attracted you to the newfoundland breed? My desire to do therapy work, their size, goofieness and gentle disposition.
What areas of sport/competition interest you? (Conformation, Draft, Water Rescue, Therapy, Rally, Obedience, other)? Therapy. Primarily but interested in learning draft and water. It’s less about competition and titles for me and more about having fun with my dogs and building on their training.
Do you handle your own dog? Sometimes
Have you earned titles with your dog/s? Tell us about them? Abraham has earned his CGC, THDN, THD, THDA,
Do you remember the first time you met a newfoundland? In Plymouth MA, all I thought was… is that a bear with a tail? Yep, like every other person.
Do you allow your dogs on your bed or furniture? Always
Do you groom your own dog? Yes
How to often do you trim your dog's nails? Do you or someone else trim the nails and how do they do it? Mostly, except for vet appointments
Tell us something cute or sweet that your newf does? Recently Toby went on his first therapy in training appointment in Western NC to aid in hurricane recovery. He did great for the first hour then passed out with exhaustion. When laying on the ground his eye caught something that couldn’t be ignored, a tennis ball on the end of a walker. Before his handler knew what he was doing he had launched himself for it and sunk his teeth into the ball determined to test it, or take it home (which ever came first). No one was hurt, the patient had a good laugh and we learned something about a Toby impulse control where toys are concerned.
How has the newfoundland dog impacted your life? Do you have a fond memory that you would like to share? My first Newfie Chewie helped me recover from brain surgery and a life threatening brain tumor. He was my best friend. He passed last year and my heart still hurts and I miss him every day, but he helped me launch TimberKnolls Spirit Cove and the first National Newfie Therapy organization with Patti Sutherland and Benita Edds. Since that time we’ve grown and over 90 teams have helped over 160,000 people so the pain of his loss is balanced by the incredible legacy he created. He brought other Newfies into my life that have since passed, Sunee, Greyson, Grace, Angus, Sydnee, Bentley, Jazz, Stitch, Ronin and most recently Benjamin. They each face unconditional love then took a piece of our hearts with them when they left. But they also brought incredible friendships, an extended family of likeminded people who want to make the world a more joyful place, and for that and those not mentioned here but remembered for always, I’m grateful.
Tell us your biggest Newfoundland brag? The day Chewie met a patient in memory care who had not spoken as long as she’d lived in her nursing home. After just ten minutes of patting Chewie, she began to talk… leaving nurses and caretakers mystified.
How many newfoundlands do you currently live with? 3, Abraham whose turning 7, Hallie Bear whose 6 and Toby, a Newfie/Bernese Mountain mix who is 4
Do you have other breeds? Tell us about them? Yes, Amber a 13 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Do you have other creatures? 2 rescued cats, Simon and Nala
Are you an active breeder? No
What attracted you to the newfoundland breed? My desire to do therapy work, their size, goofieness and gentle disposition.
What areas of sport/competition interest you? (Conformation, Draft, Water Rescue, Therapy, Rally, Obedience, other)? Therapy. Primarily but interested in learning draft and water. It’s less about competition and titles for me and more about having fun with my dogs and building on their training.
Do you handle your own dog? Sometimes
Have you earned titles with your dog/s? Tell us about them? Abraham has earned his CGC, THDN, THD, THDA,
Do you remember the first time you met a newfoundland? In Plymouth MA, all I thought was… is that a bear with a tail? Yep, like every other person.
Do you allow your dogs on your bed or furniture? Always
Do you groom your own dog? Yes
How to often do you trim your dog's nails? Do you or someone else trim the nails and how do they do it? Mostly, except for vet appointments
Tell us something cute or sweet that your newf does? Recently Toby went on his first therapy in training appointment in Western NC to aid in hurricane recovery. He did great for the first hour then passed out with exhaustion. When laying on the ground his eye caught something that couldn’t be ignored, a tennis ball on the end of a walker. Before his handler knew what he was doing he had launched himself for it and sunk his teeth into the ball determined to test it, or take it home (which ever came first). No one was hurt, the patient had a good laugh and we learned something about a Toby impulse control where toys are concerned.
How has the newfoundland dog impacted your life? Do you have a fond memory that you would like to share? My first Newfie Chewie helped me recover from brain surgery and a life threatening brain tumor. He was my best friend. He passed last year and my heart still hurts and I miss him every day, but he helped me launch TimberKnolls Spirit Cove and the first National Newfie Therapy organization with Patti Sutherland and Benita Edds. Since that time we’ve grown and over 90 teams have helped over 160,000 people so the pain of his loss is balanced by the incredible legacy he created. He brought other Newfies into my life that have since passed, Sunee, Greyson, Grace, Angus, Sydnee, Bentley, Jazz, Stitch, Ronin and most recently Benjamin. They each face unconditional love then took a piece of our hearts with them when they left. But they also brought incredible friendships, an extended family of likeminded people who want to make the world a more joyful place, and for that and those not mentioned here but remembered for always, I’m grateful.
Tell us your biggest Newfoundland brag? The day Chewie met a patient in memory care who had not spoken as long as she’d lived in her nursing home. After just ten minutes of patting Chewie, she began to talk… leaving nurses and caretakers mystified.
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