Pathstone Welcomes Home Their Newest Team Member

Pathstone Welcomes Home Their Newest Team Member!

Thursday, June 27, 2024 [Niagara Region] – Pathstone Mental Health held a celebration today at the Branscombe Health Centre to welcome home their newest team member Zane, who is a two-year old male, Standard Poodle.

Thanks to the generous support from the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, Zane will be working under contract for Pathstone Mental Health by providing comfort and care to clients and staff as Pathstone’s Facility Support Dog. The Lions Foundation Canada Dog Guides is a charity that provides fully-funded service for dogs to a variety of programs including autism assistance dogs, canine vision, diabetes alert dogs, facility support, hearing, seizure response, and service guide.

The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides training was incredibly thorough, covering canine behaviours, learning commands, helping to develop a relationship with Zane and learning how to work with him with positive re-enforcement. Jennifer Forstinger – Zane’s Primary Handler and Pathstone Clinician.

Zane is a task-trained service animal who provides support through a calming presence, deep pressure holds (hugs), and other ice breaker skills. He will be working with Pathstone therapists who are providing animal assisted therapy, which can entail having him provide affection to clients, using him for social learning about regulation, and also teaching about behaviorism.

To keep Zane healthy and happy while working with Pathstone, the community has once again stepped up and within weeks, Zane’s Pet Care Team was established. This special team, comprised of big-hearted and dog-loving professionals and local companies include, The Canine Cartel, Chiropractic on Fourth, Martindale Vet Clinic, Pet Valu Vansickle/Lundy’s Lane/Dunnville, and Upper Canada Animal Hospital. Zane’s Pet Care Team will provide all the medical care he may require, grooming services, food and of course treats & toys!

Pathstone Mental Health recognizes that pet support therapy plays an integral treatment role with children and youth. Zane has become quite the attraction, and people naturally gravitate to his pleasant, warm and caring disposition. We are beyond grateful for the support from the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs and our amazing Pet Care Team; Zane is one lucky dog and we are one lucky organization! Shaun Baylis – CEO, Pathstone.

At Pathstone Mental Health, we proudly offer a range of dedicated services tailored to all children, youth, and families in the Niagara region. Our services are designed to address the unique needs of the youth and families in Niagara, ensuring a compassionate and accessible approach to mental health support.

You are not alone, reach out to us and let’s face these challenges together. Connect with us directly at 905-688-6850 extension 8.

For questions /interviews contact: Marla Smith – c. 905-688-6850 x 102 e. msmith@pathstone.ca

Press Release.