Meet the Team

Maggie May

Maggie May is both beautiful and smart - Maggie passed her therapy dog tests on her first try. She comes to us from Cathy Greene at Cabin Creek Labradors. She is incredibly sweet - no surprise for a chocolate lab! (Get it? Sweet…Chocolate…). OK moving on…Maggie May enjoys chasing squirrels, couch surfing, and a wide variety of chewing activities.
Certification: AKC Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog.

Delbert

Dave (Human Being)

I earned my M.S. in Occupational Therapy from UIC in 1997 and have been working in Special Education for over 25+ years. I founded TheraPets.orgLLC in 2016 with the intent of integrating both Occupational Therapy and Animal Assisted Therapy in the schools.

Prior to becoming an O.T., I owned Countryside Animal Spa - a full service boarding, breeding, grooming and training kennel in Mundelein, IL. In the 1980’s I trained dogs in Chicago for Ludwig Gessner - a founding member of the US Army Canine Corps.

Layla

We thank Shawn & Erica Parra of Royal Treasures Saints in Alabama for Layla. She was our first St. Bernard and it was love at first sight. Layla is a real sweetheart and has shown us that St. Bernard's are even more gentle and loving than they are big. She loves car rides, wet kisses and snuggling. Layla weighs in at a dainty 125 pounds.

Certifications: AKC Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dog

Riley

Riley is the senior member of our staff at 14 years old. As a mentor to the Saints she attempted to convince them they were just oversized Labrador Retrievers. Riley specializes in puppy dog eyes and sneaking Layla and Gibson's leftovers. She's our resident expert at fetch, but is always ready to chill with her buddies at the end of the day. Riley's hobbies include playing ball, counter surfing and drinking from the toilet.

Certification: Therapy Dog

Gibson

Gibson epitomized the St. Bernard nickname "Gentle Giant." He came to us from Diane Vidmar at Mt. Hood Saints in Michigan. Gibson got his good looks from his father, Trademark's Zephan - a nationally known show dog. Gibson retired undefeated in his age group in the AKC show ring! He weighed a solid 185 pounds, but still considered himself a lap dog. Receiving tummy rubs, drooling and (loudly) snoring were Gibson's specialties.

Certifications: AKC Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dog

I’ve loved all my dogs over the years, but my St. Bernard therapy dog Gibson will always hold a special place in my heart. Everyone should be lucky enough to be loved like Gibson loved me. I miss him immensely…

Missing Gibson

I miss how patient and loving he was with our special ed. students when they’d pull his hair, bop his nose or use him as a pillow.

I miss how gently he took dog treats from my hand.

I miss his big jowls, giant tongue and slobbery kisses.

I miss how he had that peppy bounce in his step and kind of “strutted” down the hallways.

I miss him resting his big head on the fireplace and thinking – how can that possibly be comfortable?

I miss how he absolutely trampled the yellow flowers in the yard but left the orange ones alone.

I miss his tiny “chicklet” front teeth, which seemed so out of place in his big St. Bernard mouth.

I miss how his whole face jiggled when he ran.

I miss the students asking “does he have eyes?” because of his big head, or “is he sleeping?” when he laid down and snored (loudly) with his deep breathing.

I miss how he was so cooperative taking baths, even though the tub was too small for him.

I miss him always following right behind me when I did yardwork.

I miss him allowing Riley (our 13 y/o Labrador) to go up the stairs first because she was older and slower.

I miss him waiting up for me in the laundry room when I got home late from hockey.

I miss seeing his big fuzzy head sticking out the window in the side mirror on car rides.

I miss the student’s laughter when I stretched out his big ears and made him look like Dumbo.

I miss finding his slobber in creative places in the house.

I miss his head covered in snow when he went under a snowy tree in winter.

I miss him sprawling out and taking up most of our king size bed.

I miss his beautiful brown eyes and the way he looked at me.

I miss giving him tummy rubs (his absolute favorite).

Mostly, I’ll just miss how happy he was coming to school with me and how much he loved EVERYBODY.

Gibson had a wonderful life and brought joy to many.

I miss him every single day.

RIP big boy. ❤️ Gibson.

For further info email us at TheraPets@comcast.net