Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey would like to congratulate Diego “Munchkin” Diaz on being chosen the winner of NJ Monthly’s first Top Dog Contest!
The amazing Diego, one of the therapy dogs with CVCJ’s Caregiver Canines® program, was chosen from an entrant pool of more than 240 dogs. He received over 1000 votes in the first round of the online contest, to become one of ten finalists. A panel of expert judges chose Diego at the end of the six-week competition. As part of Caregiver Canines®, Diego provides free visits and kisses to homebound seniors who are no longer able to have a dog of their own.
Diego, a cocker spaniel mix, was adopted from a shelter in Alabama, and now lives with his family in Point Pleasant, NJ. His owners, Charlotte Aylor-Diaz and Dan Diaz, soon found that Diego needed surgery to correct a defective diaphragm. Now, Aylor-Diaz feels that experience makes Diego a better therapy dog. “He makes such a wonderful therapy dog because he’s been through health issues of his own,” says Aylor-Diaz. “He’s a dog I can take anywhere.”
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Danielle Maley, Caregiver Canines® Manager agrees, “Diego has been with our program since we began in 2009. Whenever I match him and his mom Charlotte to visit a homebound senior, I know they are going to bring huge smiles.”
As NJ Monthly’s Top Dog, Diego will have a professional photoshoot and a full-page story spread in the April 2018 issue of NJ Monthly Magazine. He’ll also get bragging rights among his therapy dog friends, but knowing Diego, he’ll remain humble through his reign as Top Dog.
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If you or someone you know would like to learn more about Caregiver Canines®, arrange for a home visit, or are interested in volunteering with your dog, please call Danielle at 732.505.2273, ext 206 or email info@caregivervolunteers.org.
ABOUT CAREGIVER VOLUNTEERS OF CENTRAL JERSEY (CVCJ)
CVCJ provides vital assistance to seniors, the elderly disabled, veterans, individuals with dementia, and caregivers of loved ones with chronic illness to allow them to remain independent in their own homes. All services are free of charge and delivered by 1,200 volunteers to over 2,500 Ocean and Monmouth County residents over the age of 60, who no longer drive. Volunteers provide transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, reassuring phone calls, friendly visits, and relief for family caregivers.
Caregiver Canines® began in 2009 as a service offered through the nonprofit organization, Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey. This unique Therapy Dog Program visits homebound seniors, veterans, the elderly disabled, individuals with dementia, and family caregivers to loved ones with chronic illness, right in their own homes. The Therapy Dog and handler teams are all volunteers whose weekly visits bring great joy to those who are lonely and love dogs, but are no longer able to care for a pet. All Caregiver Canines® therapy dog visits are provided free of charge to recipients. For more information about the program call 732-505-2273, visit CaregiverCanines.org or find us on Facebook @caregivercanines.
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