This summer's big news was being interviewed for an upcoming episode of "The Jane Pauley Show" that focuses on ways to help children with Asperger's Syndrome. Joining me on the show was a North Star dog named Stitch, his boys, Colin and Brendan, who are both on the autism spectrum, and Lee and Shawn McFadden, their proud parents.

This show will be aired on Friday, October first. (If you log onto www.janepauleyshow.com you can find out where this show is broadcast in your area.)

Taping this episode with Stitch and the McFadden’s was a fun, but at times overwhelming, experience. Stitch saw his first television camera (pointing at him!), took his first limo ride, and was admired by many New Yorker, who seems to slow down just a bit at the sight of a golden puppy in a green vest during rush hour. I was very proud of Stitch coming down from the stage on cue when Colin called him from the first row….their placement has been a process of teaching Colin and his brother how to communicate with their dog and training Stitch to understand and respond to their commands.

The McFadden family with North Star's Stitch

The four puppies from Suzy’s last litter have all been bonding with their children with regular visits and beginning training classes underway. This litter, fathered by a Canine Companion for Independence stud named Kitteridge, all had calm and intelligent temperaments and a strong desire to relate to people. The early socialization program they have experienced have channeled this drive to be directed toward the children they serve. Below is a picture of North Star Sunny with his girl Ashley, who has ADHD. Ashley and her sisters have all been visiting Sunny since he was 2 weeks old, and the quality of their bond certainly reflects this history. With the help of Dr. Ann Huntington of Suffield Vet Hospital we plan to repeat this same mating this winter, so that we can create more North Star dogs of this quality and potential.

Ashley and her sisters with North Star Sunny

In July Chris, Kelsey, Ron and I drove to Canada to pick up 6 lovely and extremely well bred puppies to serve as North Star dogs. These pups were bred by Liz O’Brien from Lueo Goldens in Canada. Liz has been breeding high quality golden retrievers with an emphasis on temperament for nearly 40 years, and we feel very fortunate to have received these pups at a nonprofit price for North Star to train for children with challenges. Much to the delight of my children, we will also be keeping a puppy for North Star’s breeding program, Lily, who is pictured below.

So, can dogs smile? You tell me….

North Star’s Lily gets a lift

Warm regards,

Patty Dobbs Gross
Executive Director
North Star Foundation

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