Jana Thomas knows quite a lot about what unconditional love can do for a shut-in from her own personal experience.  Jana was born with Spina Bifida, a condition that has left her wearing braces on both legs and using a wheelchair when walking gets too difficult, which is getting more and more often.  She says without the love of her dogs, she would not have been as mobile as she is today and would not be able to tolerate the constant pain she is in. 

Jana started visiting a nursing home with her Shetland Sheepdogs in 1983.  What started out as a simple obedience demonstration for the residents, became a lifelong passion of bringing joy to anyone that needed a little unconditional love or a smile.

Jana has been a tester/observer for Therapy Dogs, Inc. since the National organization began their testing program.  She teaches Puppy Kindergarten and Beginner Obedience Classes for her veterinarian and is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator.

Jana has started therapy dog programs for Memorial Healthcare Systems (MHS), the Broward County School system and Vitas Hospice of Broward County (she was named Volunteer of the Year in 2004).  She regularly visits Memorial Manor nursing home, Memorial West, Memorial Pembroke and a hospice unit at least 3 days a week.  She is on call at the hospice unit and will visit day or night when a patient has a last request of a doggie visit.  Jana started doing Employee orientations twice a month for Memorial Healthcare Systems, to educate all new hospital employees to the 'job' therapy dogs do within the healthcare facilities.  In 2005 she was made a part of the 'Peace Corps' which is a part of the MHS that helps employees relieve stress.  Jana, Pogo and Joy (the only two official Peace Corp dogs) are on call to relieve employee stress through therapy dogs.

Jana also enjoys competing with her Australian Shepherds and Shetland Sheepdogs at Obedience, Rally and Agility Trials and at Conformation Shows.  Click here to see a picture of Jana's newest Therapy Dog hopeful.  Click here to see Joy trying out for American Idol.

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 Club Affiliations:

Dog Obedience Club Of Hollywood, Inc. - member since 1977, Obedience Instructor

Shetland Sheepdog Club of Southeast Florida - member since 1982

Therapy Dogs, Inc. - member since 1984, current Tester/Observer

Ft. Lauderdale Dog Club - member since 1987

Australian Shepherd Club of America - member since 1992

Gold Coast Dog Club - member since 1996

American Kennel Club - Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

Titles Obtained on her dogs:

Sir Lancelot of the Lake II, AKC CD (English Springer Spaniel) at Rainbow Bridge

Linden Toasted Topaz, AKC CDX, WWKC CDX, CGC (Shetland Sheepdog) at Rainbow Bridge

Starfall’s Burnin’ Ember O’Topaz, AKC CD, HIC, WWKC CD, CGC (Shetland Sheepdog) at Rainbow Bridge

Pretty Boy Floyd O’Topaz, AKC CD, (Shetland Sheepdog) at Rainbow Bridge

Winter Smooth Sailing O’Topaz, AKC CD, WWKC CD, CGC (Shetland Sheepdog) at Rainbow Bridge

Goldengait Service With a Smile, AKC CD, WWKC CD, TT, CGC (Australian Shepherd) at Rainbow Bridge

U-AGI Topaz Talk of the Town, AKC CD, TT, CGC (Australian Shepherd) at Rainbow Bridge

Topaz World’s Greatest Lover, AKC CD, TT, CGC  (Australian Shepherd) at Rainbow Bridge

U-AGI, U-CD Topaz a Star is Born, AKC CD, AKC RN (achieved at 11 yrs. old!), TT, CGC (Australian Shepherd) at Rainbow Bridge

AKC Ptd., U-CH Suncatcher’s Ring for Service, AKC RN (Australian Shepherd)

U-AGI Simcos Meyer the Cryer, AKC RN, CGC, Reg. Therapy Dog (Shetland Sheepdog)

U-CH Topaz Watching Over Me, AKC RN, Reg. Therapy Dog (Australian Shepherd)

Topaz To Where You Are, AKC RN, CGC (Australian Shepherd)

Kealoha Joy to the World, AKC RN, CGC, Reg. Therapy Dog (Shetland Sheepdog)

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