Allow me introduce myself...
Hello! My name is René Kaiser-Riley, I live in Meridian, Idaho.
I grew up in the military, as my father served in the Air Force for twenty six years. I also served in the Air Force. That upbringing gave me the opportunity to live in numerous locations and cultures.
The military lifestyle also made me highly organized, hence the creation of this website to put all the local pet therapy information into one easy-to-use spot!
I have an adult daughter, one dog of my own, one dog who's my daughter's, and a rescued cat that thinks he runs our home.
I have been active in pet therapy since 2004 and
I am registered with my dog, Summer.
She's a yellow lab.... trapped in a Bassett Hound body!
Halloween at the hospital, 2009
I am the humbled and proud recipient of the
Idaho Health Care Association's
2009 Life Enrichment Award
There are no words to express my gratefulness.
I am a Tester/Observer. This is a position with my registering agency, Therapy Dogs Inc., that gives me the responsibility to test handlers with their dogs (called a team) to assess them for their suitability for this special volunteer work. Upon passing the test I take the teams into a local care facility and observe their visiting skills and provide advice. Those who show they have the skills and dog control are then submitted for registration approval.
- I was one of the coordinators of the St. Luke's Pet Therapy Program. With over 50 teams, the program is one of the largest in our nation. It is admired for its high standards, superb organization and training curriculum.
- I served on the St. Luke's Pet Therapy Steering Committee from 2005 to 2010. I was a main contact point for the members, committee and people seeking information about joining the program or registering with their dog.
As a volunteer, I set up and maintained the pet therapy program at Good Samaritan Society - Boise Village ("Boise Sam"). Since it's inception, in Spring of 2007, the program has grown to eleven teams, and is still growing.
Why all the past tense descriptions? In August 2010 moved to Texas, but still maintain this website for my Idaho community.