National Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 15-21, 2012. Opportunity Enterprises currently utilizes approximately 90 regular volunteers and interns for a variety of projects throughout the organization.
“We simply could not function without our volunteers,” says Cathy Kuchenmeister, OE’s Intern and Volunteer Coordinator. “They bring support, experience and kindness to all facets of our organization. We do our best to provide students with great internship opportunities and individuals with volunteer roles that they are looking for.”
One unique example of how OE uses volunteers is its therapy dog program, which began in 2009. Trained therapy dogs and handlers visit many of OE’s sites throughout the year, including the agency’s main facility, its East Building, Lakeside Opportunities and a couple of its group homes.
The therapy dogs used in the program are dogs which have been trained to provide affection and comfort to people in many types of stressful situations.
Cathy Kuchenmeister, Intern and Volunteer Coordinator at OE, says, “Our consumers, even if they are occasionally agitated, seem to calm down and relax when the dogs are here.” The therapy dog program brings a great deal of happiness to OE’s consumers and staff members, and there are constant requests for the dogs to return.
The dogs and handlers who visit OE regularly include Dakota and owner Rebecca Cieply, Zeus and handler Anita Beaudoin, Nikki and owner Sue Klett, and Mojo and owner Christy Ashford.
Rebecca Cieply and Dakota
Rebecca Cieply is the youngest dog handler in OE’s therapy dog program. She is currently a full time student and works with Dakota once or twice a week. Dakota is an eight-year-old Siberian Husky who spends most of her time, when not working as a therapy dog or training for 4-H, napping or lying around on Rebecca’s pool raft. Rebecca and Dakota have been visiting OE’s Daily Living Skills program and were trained by Therapy Dogs International.
Anita Beaudoin and Zeus
Anita Beaudoin has been volunteering in OE’s therapy dog program the longest. She also works as a Fitness Trainer and Wellness Coach at the Valparaiso YMCA. Anita does not actually own Zeus, the dog she works with, but has been sharing him with OE and patients at Porter Hospital for two and a half years. Zeus is a white German shepherd who is owned by Jean Reeves at Royal Acres Dog Camp in Valparaiso. Zeus lives on a working farm with about twelve other white German shepherds. Anita jumped at the opportunity to work with Zeus when asked by Jean and trained through Delta Society’s Pet Partners Training program to become a certified pair.
Sue Klett and Nikki
Sue Klett is one of OE’s newest dog handlers in the therapy dog program. Sue and Nikki, a black lab, have been together for four years, starting when Nikki was just three months old. Sue fell in love with Nikki at first sight when a friend asked if Sue had a home for her. Shortly after getting Nikki home, Sue realized that Nikki was in need of some dog training classes. After successfully completing several classes, they were certified by Delta Society’s Pet Partners Training program in 2011.
Christy Ashford and Mojo
Christy Ashford pursued therapy visits for Mojo when he was 2 years old. Mojo is now a six-year-old Labrador Retriever who loves visiting with the consumers at OE. Mojo and Christy have visited other places, but Mojo really lights up at OE because everyone is so happy to see him and Christy enjoys seeing how happy Mojo makes the consumers. They’ve been visiting OE’s Lakeside Opportunities programs, as well as OE’s main building for 2 years.
OE is looking for certified animals to expand its dog therapy program, especially in the Portage and Chesterton areas. Individuals interested in volunteering or interning in any of OE’s other programs are also encouraged to apply by contacting Cathy Kuchenmeister at 219-464-9621 ext. 283 or cathy.kuchenmeister@oppent.org.
Since 1967, OE has been a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities by providing exceptional support and creating meaningful opportunities that allows its consumers to serve as an inspiration to the community. For more information, visit www.oppent.org.
Photos:
- OE clients with therapy dog Zeus and handler Anita Beaudoin (far left in chair)
- OE client Stephanie with therapy dog Nikki