“Who is that?” the visitor inquired. “That’s Ralph”, said the resident, “Everybody knows
Ralph”. And so it was for the big black and white Border collie/Collie mix wherever he went.
For 10 years he served Lancaster County giving hundreds of hours - listening to children read
in Elizabethtown Public library’s “Reading to Ralph” program and “Paws to Read”, a prescriptive
school reading program; visiting adult day care facilities; senior centers; and hospice patients
in the hospice inpatient center, in assisted living and skilled care facilities. We received the
2006 Beyond Limits Pet Partner Team Award from Delta Society in 2006; Ralph was presented
with the first therapy dog Lifetime Achievement Award from Hospice of Lancaster County in
2007, for helping to establish their pet therapy program and for providing over 500 hours of
service.
More to me than all of this, he was my companion for 13½ years, the warm furry presence with
calm, trusting eyes and ready paw, the benevolent leader of my pack of three. A neighbor
called him “the gentleman dog”, and so he was. If we are lucky in our lives, we will find that
one, very special dog. Ralph was that dog for me. He is greatly missed. I know he is waiting
patiently for me on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, head cocked as if to say “What took
you so long?”
Jacqueline Jones
Ralph”. And so it was for the big black and white Border collie/Collie mix wherever he went.
For 10 years he served Lancaster County giving hundreds of hours - listening to children read
in Elizabethtown Public library’s “Reading to Ralph” program and “Paws to Read”, a prescriptive
school reading program; visiting adult day care facilities; senior centers; and hospice patients
in the hospice inpatient center, in assisted living and skilled care facilities. We received the
2006 Beyond Limits Pet Partner Team Award from Delta Society in 2006; Ralph was presented
with the first therapy dog Lifetime Achievement Award from Hospice of Lancaster County in
2007, for helping to establish their pet therapy program and for providing over 500 hours of
service.
More to me than all of this, he was my companion for 13½ years, the warm furry presence with
calm, trusting eyes and ready paw, the benevolent leader of my pack of three. A neighbor
called him “the gentleman dog”, and so he was. If we are lucky in our lives, we will find that
one, very special dog. Ralph was that dog for me. He is greatly missed. I know he is waiting
patiently for me on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, head cocked as if to say “What took
you so long?”
Jacqueline Jones
Ralph Jones
- Jacki Jones is living proof that the therapy world is a small one. We are honored to include Jacki's
beloved Ralph on the Minnesota Therapy Animal site. Since its inception, Jacki has served the MTA site as
a consultant with suggestions, ideas and articles. Jacki's professional background, and her involvement in
the AAA/AA-T world and promotion of the program has served the folks of Pennsylvania more than they
may ever realize.
beloved Ralph on the Minnesota Therapy Animal site. Since its inception, Jacki has served the MTA site as
a consultant with suggestions, ideas and articles. Jacki's professional background, and her involvement in
the AAA/AA-T world and promotion of the program has served the folks of Pennsylvania more than they
may ever realize.
