1st day of Christmas

Well I put my tree up photos never do it justice. I wonder if people with epilepsy get affected by Christmas lights?

Its been another bonny sunny day again with temps below zero all day, we went for a walk to get more holly and made a holly wreath for the front door and one inside.they look good.

Had the best of both worlds today reflections and frost, the river was iced over in parts but that didn’t stop his lordship jumping in and swimming.

Jessy is in for a temperature shock if its like this next week, it feels like ages since I left Australia.

I have volunteered as a dog therapy team with Gus to enhance the quality of life of people in caring environments by visiting and interacting with them. Therapy dog teams (owner and dog) work to improve the emotional health of people in a variety of settings. They bring joy and comfort to patients, visitors, and staff in care centres such as long stay nursing and retirement homes, day care centres, centres for people with special needs and schools where they help children learn to read.

There are many uses for therapy dogs. They provide a general feeling of well being, non-judgemental affection and can help people with specific therapy activities. There are two ways that therapy dogs can help -- through Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). Animal Assisted Activities are casual activities where people and pets connect. Typically, these dogs would just visit the centres mentioned above and enhance the lives of people there by interacting with them. These visits help make difficult situations somewhat easier for the people involved. Though the dogs don't need any specialized training, it is important that they be calm and friendly and well behaved. We have to pass a course first up to see if we are suitable.