Healing Paws: Therapy Dogs and Comfort in Children’s Literature | SOP ep. 15 - Penny Novotny Bower

Don't miss this engaging conversation with a true pet whisperer and devoted librarian, Penny Novotny Bower. Tune in to hear about: - Penny's rescue stories, including the unforgettable Molly Cat and Buddy. - The role of therapy dogs in a school setting. - The comfort and healing found in children's literature. - Practical advice for pet owners, including dealing with pet anxiety during storm Are there any books out there for kids? Are there therapy dogs? Today, we dive into these questions with our special guest, Penny Novotny Bower, a librarian and animal lover who has rescued numerous pets. Penny, a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Master's in Guidance Counseling from Montclair University and a Master of Library Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, shares her inspiring stories. In this episode, Penny recounts her experiences with therapy dogs, including the comforting presence they provided to her school community during a tragic event. She also discusses her beloved rescues, including Buddy, Molly Cat, and a host of others, highlighting her dedication to animal welfare. We'll hear touching stories about Penny's various rescues, her expertise as a librarian, and the impact of children's books like "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" by Charlie Mackesy and Cynthia Rylant's "Dog Heaven" and "Cat Heaven" in helping kids and adults cope with loss. Support our sponsor for this episode Blue Buffalo by visiting bluebuffalo.com. BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet formulas offer the natural alternative in nutritional therapy. At Blue Buffalo, we have an in-house Research & Development (R&D) team with over 300 years’ experience in well-pet and veterinary therapeutic diets, over 600 scientific publications, and over 50 U.S. patents. At Blue Buffalo, we have an in-house Research & Development (R&D) team with over 300 years’ experience in well-pet and veterinary therapeutic diets, over 600 scientific publications, and over 50 U.S. patents. All footage owned by SLA Video Productions