We are extremely proud of these very special Devinwood offspring who have had some very notable and remarkable accomplishments, and who have
enriched the people's lives whom they have touched.

Gracie
Gracie was born to be a working dog. She is owned by Dennis and Darlene Gallagher of Monroe, CT and is the third of their collies to be involved in Pet Visitation Programs at local hospitals. She is by far the youngest of their dogs to have passed all the necessary training requirements to be a volunteer. Gracie was 14 months old when she passed the AKC Canine Good Citizens Test. The following month she passed Delta Society’s Pet Partner Team Evaluation Test with her handler, Dennis. Gracie volunteers with Dennis in animal assisted activities at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport and Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven. She generally works twice a week and is assigned to visit pediatric, rehabilitation and surgical units. Her usual visit is approx. two hours and she walks from room to room on three different floors. She even likes riding the elevator. What’s amazing is she never barks the entire time she’s there. She knows she’s in a hospital setting.

Gracie’s volunteer day starts with getting her teeth and coat brushed followed by putting on her hospital jacket and identification badge. Walking through the hospital lobby is always a highlight for her. Everybody stops what they’re doing and she’s instantly surrounded by visitors. She is referred to as the “feel good” dog because from the moment she enters the hospital she puts a smile on everybody’s face she meets. She brightens the lives of both staff and patients.

The nurses love her and seem to find comfort in hugging and touching her. They point out the patients who need her the most and stand by the door watching as Gracie turns pain into laughter. For those patients who want her in bed, the nurses will put down a sheet and Gracie will cuddle next to them.

Gracie is a gift. She loves her job and is a natural at it.


Alfalfa
A Drifter offspring, Alfalfa distinguished himself by being selected as one of 13 dogs in the country to be on Eukanuba Dog Foods' prestigious national "Elite" team for 2002!! Elite stands for:

Eukanuba
Legends
In
Total
Excellence.

These dogs were selected by Eukanuba from dogs all over the country for their extraordinary contrubutions in various capacities for enriching people's lives. Please first read about the background and criteria in selection of the Eukanuba Elite Team by clicking here.		 Midnight and Sailor
These two Drifter smooth collie offspring have distinguished themselves as dogs in training for guide dogs for the blind. Both dogs underwent lengthy and intensive training to serve as guide dogs. Midnight (Kings Valley Special Delivery) was at the Guide Dog Foundation For The Blind, Inc. Sailor (Kings Valley Savvy Traveler) was at Guide Dogs for the Blind in Boring, Oregon. To see Midnight and a video of Sailor in training, please click here and scroll down the page.