Assemblywoman Galef Discusses the Merits of Animal Therapy with Leaders at Green Chimneys and the SPCA of Westchester

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef was joined by Dr. Samuel Ross, Founder of Green Chimneys, Eliza Love, a Social Worker at Green Chimneys, and Alice Shanahan, Volunteer and Humane Education Coordinator at the SPCA of Westchester to discuss the benefits of Animal Therapy on her “Dear Sandy” program. This episode features a special guest: Brownie the Guinea Pig, who is one of more than 200 animals at Green Chimneys.

The therapeutic value of animals has been touted recently in the media, but has been known to be beneficial for many years. Green Chimneys, which uses animals as a part of their alternative education program for children with a wide variety of special needs, has been open since 1948 with a mission to help children learn and explore in a way that is more organic for them than a traditional school setting, with programs that include animal care, interactions with animals, and education about specific species. The SPCA of Westchester has promoted the well-being and importance of animals in Westchester County since 1883, and has a program in which volunteers and staff train some of the dogs in the shelter to be brought to visits to health care facilities to combat loneliness and isolation.

The representatives discuss the value of having animals in our lives and in the lives of those who may feel isolated from those around them for any reason.

“Animals are highly valued members of many families, and have been found to be so useful for individuals with health conditions and special learning issues,” said Galef. “It is no surprise to me that the unconditional love shown by a well-cared for animal can be beneficial in a therapeutic setting.”

To learn more, tune in to cable television at the following dates and times.

“The Benefits of Animal Therapy” airs as follows:

Cablevision/Optimum

August 19th and 26th and September 2nd and 9th at 9:00 pm on

Ossining and Peekskill Channel 15

(Briarcliff, Ossining, Scarborough, Buchanan, Cortlandt, Croton, Garrison, Montrose, Peekskill, Philipstown South, Verplanck)

Wappingers Falls Channel 21

(Cold Spring, Philipstown North)

and

Yorktown Channel 74

(Lake Peekskill)

Comcast

August 19th and 26th and September 2nd at 7:30 pm on

Carmel, Kent, Mahopac & Putnam Valley Channel 8

*Please check your local listings as the air dates for this channel may change

Verizon Fios

August 19th and 26th and September 2nd at 9:00 pm

On Channels 37 and 40 depending on your location

Photo Caption: Assemblywoman Galef with Dr. Samuel Ross, Eliza Love, Alice Shanahan, and Brownie on her TV Show “Dear Sandy.”