CAYUGA—There were smiles, laughter, and wagging tales at the Cayuga Library on Thursday, March 7, 2024 during an event co-hosted by Community Living and the Haldimand Public Library to celebrate Ernie, a much loved therapy dog, and to honour a special friend.
Ernie, a beagle and Chinese crested cross, is the titular character of the picture book “Ernie, the Perfectly Wonderful (Bad) Therapy Dog” written by Nicole Selby and Tamara Botting and illustrated by Kira Alexanian. Known for his unique looks – just a few tufts a fur and a tongue that always sticks out due to missing teeth – Ernie has been a therapy dog for eight years and is loved by everyone who meets him.
Judy Moore, Ernie’s owner, rescued him from a shelter that was at capacity when he was three months old. After seeing him she recalls thinking, “That dog is so weird looking I’ve got to have him!”
Ernie is the oldest of the therapy dogs in the Haldimand chapter of Therapeutic Paws of Canada and Moore says, “He just loves it.”
“Ernie, the Perfectly Wonderful (Bad) Therapy Dog” tells the story of a therapy dog that is perfect on the job but not so much at home. In the book there is an image of Ernie visiting with someone at a day away program who was inspired by Lori, an individual supported by Community Living for many years. Sara Croft of Community Living, who worked with Lori for 20 years as a support provider, says, “She was a big fan of Ernie.”
Sadly, Lori passed away before seeing herself in the book, but Croft says that she knew she was featured in the story. Several people supported by Community Living attended the event and were happy to see the page showing their friend with Ernie.
As Nicole Selby read “Ernie, the Perfectly Wonderful (Bad) Therapy Dog” and engaged with the audience, she highlighted the message that “we all need to have a little fun sometimes” and reminded everyone, “(Ernie’s) family loves him just the way he is and that’s important for us.”
Ernie and his Therapeutic Paws colleagues, Flynn (golden doodle) and Angus (terrier), showed just how well behaved they can be as they sat quietly with their owners while the story was shared. Following the reading they showed how loveable they are as attendees had the opportunity to spend some time with them. Mary Kelly, owner of Angus, shares, “It’s a wonderful organization. It’s nice how happy the animals make them.”
“Ernie, the Perfectly Wonderful (Bad) Therapy Dog” is the second book in a series that also includes “Moxy Makes a Difference”. The books are published by PPP – Pages, Pens, and Paws. Selby explains that PPP focuses on literacy education with stories and accompanying activities.
“Literacy works better when it’s fun,” she says. “Pairing literacy with the experience of the dogs makes the learning better.”
“Ernie, the Perfectly Wonderful (Bad) Therapy Dog” is available through the Haldimand Public Library. For more information on PPP visit pagespenspaws.com.
