Baird Creek Canine Connection

10/16/2026

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GLJyrT8Ew77yUJ49A

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10/16/2026

🐾 Meet Webster the Newfiedoodle!

Webster is now about 6 months old and well on his way toward earning his AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Therapy Dog certifications!

Webster’s training and socialization have been carefully structured and thoughtfully planned to help him develop into a confident, well-mannered dog who can remain calm, composed, and neutral in a variety of environments.

At this stage, it’s not just about teaching commands. It’s about building a solid foundation of engagement, impulse control, confidence, and the ability to remain relaxed around people, dogs, and everyday distractions.
Developing a successful therapy dog takes time, patience, consistency, and a clear plan.

The goal is to prepare Webster not only to pass a certification test, but to become a reliable, calm, and reassuring presence for the people he will one day serve.

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10/16/2026

They enjoy hanging out together!
Jameson, Duke, Lady and Zoe

Although they get along great, one of them enjoys trying to herd the others and needs some redirection and a reminder to take it easy! Haha

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10/16/2026

10/16/2026

2026 Therapy Dog Yoga - Thank you De Pere Park and Recreation and all the therapy dogs and handlers for another enjoyable event!

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10/16/2026

Say hello to Zeke!

🐾 Dedicated Hearts & Healing Paws 🐾

Behind every great therapy dog is a handler with an endless amount of compassion, and Terri is the perfect example.

As a truly dedicated handler, Terri shares her heart and her home with three incredible German Shepherds who are all certified therapy dogs. Together, they make countless visits to hospitals, hospice care, and assisted living facilities—bringing quiet comfort, steady companionship, and a sense of peace to those who need it most.

I am incredibly proud to have played a part in helping Terri, Zeke, and Samson accomplish their official Therapy Dogs United certifications! Watching this team work together is a masterclass in dedication, trust, and pure love.

Thank you, Terri, for everything you do to make the world a brighter, more comforted place, one visit at a time! 🐕❤️

10/16/2026

🐾 Say Hello to Blu! 💙
Please join us in congratulating Blu on recently earning his Therapy Dogs United therapy dog certification!
Blu is a working school resource dog who will be partnering with Officer Hunter Micolichek in the Pulaski, Wisconsin, school district. Together, they make a wonderful team, providing comfort and support to students and staff who may be experiencing anxiety, stress, or depression.
Beyond offering a calming presence, Officer Micolichek and Blu will also assist with crisis and trauma response while helping build positive relationships between law enforcement and the community.
The bond between a therapy dog and the people they serve can make a lasting difference. We are excited to see the positive impact Blu and Officer Micolichek will have on their school community for years to come!
Congratulations, Blu and Officer Micolichek! Thank you both for your commitment to making a difference, one student, one interaction, and one paw at a time. 🐾💙

10/04/2026

A REMINDER FOR ALL THERAPY DOG HANDLERS

If you are the person who has been certified as the handler for your therapy dog, you are the person who should be working with your dog during therapy visits.

Do not “loan” your therapy dog to someone else so they can make a visit without you. Not only is this not a good idea, it is typically against protocol.

There is a very important reason for this.

Your therapy dog is a "Working Dog" with an important job to do for many years to come.

As the handler, you know your dog better than anyone. You understand their body language, stress signals, thresholds, and what helps them remain comfortable and successful in different environments.

When someone else takes your dog for a visit and you are not present, you have no way of knowing exactly what occurred during that interaction. Even one negative, stressful, or inappropriate experience can potentially affect your dog's confidence and behavior during future visits.

The goal is to protect the well-being, training, and emotional stability of your therapy dogs while also providing safe and positive experiences for the people you visit.

Remember: Your therapy dog is a team with you, not a dog that can simply be handed off to someone else for a visit.

Thank you for taking your responsibility as a therapy dog handler seriously and for helping maintain the high standards of all therapy dog teams.

Send a message to learn more

09/03/2026

ENJOY THE WALK WITH YOUR DOG

How I approach leash walking and, more importantly, what I believe a “Heel” or “With-Me” cue should actually mean to a dog.

One of the things I try to teach is that good leash walking isn’t simply about making a dog stay at our side. It’s about communication, clarity, and teaching the dog that there are different expectations depending on the cue we give them.

I think we too often expect a dog to walk in a formal heel for an entire walk, when that really isn’t necessary, or even the most enjoyable way for a dog to experience a walk. There should be times when the dog can explore, sniff and move naturally, while still understanding how to stay connected to us. Then, when we give a “With-Me” or “Heel” cue, the dog understands that we’re asking for something more specific.

My goal is to create a dog that wants to stay connected to its handler and understands what we’re asking, rather than simply teaching the dog to stay in a particular position because it has to.

Ask a trainer to explain more about their philosophy and how they teach this when you meet. Once it can be demonstrated for you, I think you’ll see how relationship, communication and clear expectations all come together to create a much more balanced and enjoyable walk.

06/27/2026

“What’s the hardest part about having a dog?” they asked, their tone casual, like it was just another question.
I glanced at the worn leash hanging by the door, my chest tightening. “Letting them go,” I said quietly.
They frowned a little, waiting for me to explain. “They come into your life like they were always meant to be there,” I said, trying to find the words. “They make everything better—simpler, brighter. And you think it’s always going to be that way. But it’s not. One day, they’re gone, and you’re left with all the space they used to fill.”
They nodded, but I wasn’t sure they understood. “It’s not the messes they made or the routines you have to let go of,” I continued. “It’s the absence. You walk into the house, and it feels... wrong. The quiet is heavier. The mornings don’t feel the same without them nudging you awake.”
“So why do it?” they asked, their voice softer this time.
I sighed, glancing down at my hands. “Because the love they give you is worth every bit of the heartache. They teach you how to love without holding back, even when you know it’s going to hurt in the end. And you keep choosing that love because you know it’s one of the best things you’ll ever feel.”
R.M. Drake 🐶 from the book ' Dog People'
Artist Credit : Iain Welch