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Westmount resident honoured for volunteer work with pet therapy program
Kathie Williams and her dog, Shylo, received recognition from St. John Ambulance
1/24/2025
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Deron Hamel
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Westmount Gardens resident Kathie Williams was honoured Jan. 6 at the London, Ont. long-term care community for the volunteering she and her dog, Shylo, have done with the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog program – and the event was a big surprise.
Kathie and Shylo had been regular volunteers in the program until Kathie moved into Westmount Gardens. She received a certificate recognizing the more than 100 volunteer hours she put into the program, while Shylo received a 75-hour medal at the ceremony.
St. John Ambulance has tiers for dog volunteer medals that go by hours: 75, 150, 300 and 500.
But no one at Westmount Gardens told Kathie she was going to be honoured that day, says life enrichment manager Adnan Resh.
“This was all a surprise to Kathie, and Kathie was not aware of this recognition being held until the morning of the event,” he tells S&R Today.
“Kathie was very excited when I went up to get her, with a big smile on her face. ... When bringing her down to the cafe, she asked a few times if the dogs were coming. She loves the dogs, and I assured her they were.”
Attending Kathie's certificate presentation on behalf of St. John Ambulance were therapy dog co-ordinator Lynn, and Janet, the assistant co-ordinator for southwest London, as well as volunteers Cathy and Joan and their dogs, Koko and Meadow.
Kathie was happy to receive the honour, Adnan says, adding she was also glad Joan, Cathy and their dogs were on hand.
“Kathie's love for dogs is just great to see, as this makes her day,” Adnan says. “Both Joan and Cathy are amazing, and their dogs are loved by every resident, especially Kathie, who will often be ready at her door way before they even make their way up, just to wait for the dogs to arrive, sometimes with treats.”
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