Agency announces new pet therapy program, appoints Branchport resident

Branchport resident
Gail Furst

Ontario ARC has launched its newest offering, Pet Connections – an innovative, multi-faceted program connecting animals and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ontario County. And, Branchport resident Gail Furst has been appointed as Pet Connections Program Manager to oversee the agency’s new program.

“Pet Connections offers a wide range of options for the people we serve at Ontario ARC,” says Lora Winghart, associate executive director of program services for the agency. “Gail’s extensive background in the human services and animal field makes her a great fit for this new program.”

Certified through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), Furst has nearly two decades of experience providing animal assisted therapy – better known as pet therapy – to people of all ages. She is an evaluator for Therapy Dog International, American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen and Puppy S.T.A.R. programs as well as a trainer and evaluator for Association of Pet Dog Trainers’ Canine Life and Social Skills (C.LA.S.S.). She will offer obedience classes and other dog-related services through Pet Connections on a regular basis.

“Pet Connections is far reaching and will benefit those we support by connecting them to animal assisted activities and therapy while expanding volunteer and employment opportunities,” adds Winghart.

Some highlights of Pet Connections include:

• Adding animal assisted activities and therapy to Ontario ARC’s roster of services
• Offering training to individuals Ontario ARC serves so they can bring this service to day care center, hospitals, senior citizen centers and other places in the community
• Holding obedience classes for dog owners and evaluation for their pets to become certified therapy animals
• Expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities in animal-related fields
• Partnerships with other local organizations, such as Happy Tails, Yates ARC and Lochland School.

“Thjs program will continue to grow as we identify more needs in Ontario County,” says Winghart.

For more information about Pet Connections or to register for dog obedience classes, please contact Furst directly at (585) 919-2146 or gfurst@ontarioarc.org.