Tag Archive

Reading to the dogs helps kids improve

SALEM – Camren Walker read three whole books to Sam, making sure to show him some of Camren’s favorite pictures in each one. Sam is a dog, a 6-year-old Corgi, a tri-color, Cardigan Corgi without a tail, to be exact. And he seems to enjoy going to East Salem Elementary School to listen to... »

Saint Francis Service Dog visits Vinton Host Lions Club meeting

VINTON–The Vinton Host Lions Club welcomed Niki Voudren and staff dog Bella from the Saint Francis Service dogs organization to their meeting on June 25. The club is a branch of Lions Club International, the world’s largest service club organization. They are the benefactors of many local charities and events, in addition to national... »

Service dog forecasts boy’s seizures

ELLISTON – Minutes before Owen Higgins has a life-threatening seizure, his dog knows. The black, mixed longhair named Jigsaw makes sure to get cuddle up close to comfort the almost-5-year-old and to alert Owens’ parents, Michelle and Chris and his 9-year-old sister, Sammy. When Owen has a particularly nasty seizure, the amount of oxygen... »

Vinton and Cave Spring businesses give angel trees a furry twist

ROANOKE–During the Christmas season, it’s hard to walk into a shopping center without seeing an Angel Tree filled with the wish lists of local boys and girls in poverty.  This year, though, angel trees aren’t just for children. “At Christmas time, I always think of the angel trees,” said Andrea Bailey, owner of Doggie... »