Community Corner

Meet the Two Therapy Dogs Headed to Newtown

Former rescues Cashew and Nutmeg are provided by pet care agency Camp Bow Wow's just-launched philanthropic program.

Therapy dogs have been a common sight at events and occasions around Newtown -- nuzzling, cuddling or playing to help relieve anxiety and stress. Next week, two more dogs will join them.

Named Cashew and Nutmeg, they're former rescues -- Cashew is a three-year-old labrador retriever, Nutmeg is a one-year-old lab/whippet mix. They're trained to put their heads in laps, run, chase balls or whatever else will make the nearest human feel a little better.

"They're very lovable," said Heidi Ganahl. She's the CEO of Camp Bow Wow, a pet care company launching a new philanthropic effort called "Scout's Angels" to bring therapy dogs to towns across the country. The project grew out of "Bow Wow Buddies," a charity foundation dealing with disaster relief.

"We got together and wanted to help," said Ganahl. "We put our heads together and we've been working with some local organizations around therapy dogs and reached out to folks in Newtown to see if that's something we'd be interested in."

Camp Bow Wow is working with Sandy Hook Promise, among other organizations, in the effort.

Newtown is the first beneficiary of the Scouts' Angels project, which raised about $25,000 and match funds from donors to train therapy dogs. Cashew and Nutmeg will live in homes near Newtown and visit for a variety of activities, as well as being present for therapy sessions, Ganahl said.

"We're going to keep the Scout's Angels program going," she said. "Cashew and Nugget will be part of the program, and therapists joining us in Newtown will have a Scouts Angels team. Whenever anything happens around the US, we'll be able to deploy this team of therapists and dogs to go to the community. They'd just be available to go and give some love."

Cashew and Nutmeg's arrival in Newtown comes with a week of events, including:

  • A book reading at C.H. Booth Library on Tuesday, August 13, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • A press conference to introduce Nutmeg and Cashew at Edmond Town Hall on Thursday, August 15, 4:00 p.m.
  • An information session at Sandy Hook Promise headquarters 
Stay connected to Patch for more information prior to these events.


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