Therapy Volunteer of the Month - Becky Jankowski

Educational Background / Occupation: Becky is a Registered Nurse. She has her BSN degree from Northern Illinois University and her MSN from the University of Illinois. She worked as Quality Improvement Coordinator for Surgical Nursing Service at Hines for 14 years. She left that position in 1997 to pursue a second career in Ornamental Horticulture / Landscape Design. She also was asked to become volunteer coordinator of the Pets for Vets program in June of 1997. Becky has expanded the program during her tenure as Coordinator, and the Pets for Vets therapy dogs now also visit patients at Loyola Medical Center, Fairview Baptist Home, Alden Nursing Home, and the Franciscan Sister of Chicago convent and Infirmary.

Dog-related experience / credentials: Becky has been a dog owner for 18 years. She is also the owner of the PAWSitive Performance Dog Training facility in Downers Grove, where she teaches obedience and therapy dog classes. She is currently training and showing her dogs Rosie and Emma in Obedience, Agility, Herding and Flyball competitions. She and her two Shelties have earned over 30 titles in Obedience, Flyball and Agility. She has taken multiple courses in animal-assisted therapy from Delta Society, and is a certified animal evaluator for the Delta Society Pet Partners program. Becky is also a member of the American Pet Dog Trainers Association and regularly attends annual conferences and workshops to keep herself current in the field of dog training.

Involvement in Animal-Assisted Therapy: Becky became involved in animal-assisted therapy through her local Humane Society and its program in local nursing homes in the western suburbs. She joined the Pets for Vets program in February 1997 when her dog Rosie had completed her TDI (Therapy Dogs International) certification

What therapy dogs do for our veteran patients: (in Becky's own words)

Therapy dogs can reach patients that no one else can reach. I have seen this happen time and time again with patients who are depressed or in pain, or who are confused, unable to communicate, or grieving. The dogs' unconditional love and acceptance reach through to comfort, cheer and motivate. Almost everyone feels better after a visit from these canine "miracle workers"