Mika and Me

Mika and Me Time will tell what are the blessings and challenges of our new family member. In 2020, he and I were certified as a therapy dog team.

Two months after the sudden passing of Mickey in May-2024, we adopted Mika (mee-ka), a 4 year-old female Great Pyrenees rehomed from a family going through some difficulty. Mickey is a 4 year-old Great Pyrenees that was rescued from a bad situation in North Dakota and brought to Hudson, Wisconsin by Coco's Heart Dog Rescued in 2019. In March of 2023, we completed our 400th visit. We visit many sen

ior living places along with 2 day centers for adults with developmental disabilities, an alternative high school program, and a public Montessori elementary school all in the Hudson and River Falls Wisconsin area. Mickey is a super calm gentle dog with a love for being petted so he is a natural at this. We are certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, a national organization with over 14,000 certified therapy teams.

My wife and I went to the Mattress Galaxy in Hudson on Friday and there were 5-6 elementary/middle school aged kids ther...
08/23/2025

My wife and I went to the Mattress Galaxy in Hudson on Friday and there were 5-6 elementary/middle school aged kids there along with two moms, one who was helping us with our mattress shopping. I thought the kids looked familiar, but they were the ones who recognized me as the guy who brings Mika to the River Falls Public Montessori Elementary School. It was great to feel appreciated for the time Mika and I spend at the school. We certainly love it there. Only one more week before we return.

While visiting Wintergreen Senior Residences, Mika met Mary's great granddaughter, who was spending the week with her. ...
08/23/2025

While visiting Wintergreen Senior Residences, Mika met Mary's great granddaughter, who was spending the week with her. They were both thrilled to find each other.

I will have to delay submitting Mika's application for joining MENSA after she jumped/fell out of the side window of the...
08/12/2025

I will have to delay submitting Mika's application for joining MENSA after she jumped/fell out of the side window of the car on our way home from the park today. As we were leaving the park, I slowed down and rolled down the back window so she and a 5 year-old girl could greet each other. I left the window down for the short ride home. We pass a man walking a couple of large dogs that Mika had to woof at dramatically. A few seconds after passing the other dogs, while still barking loudly, I heard what I know now was Mike jumping, or more likely falling out of the window on to the street. She came up not putting weight on her front left paw. A quick check in at the vet and an X-Ray, nothing is broken, but she has sprained her foot pretty good. The "cone of shame" is to keep her from licking a bit of road rash on her foot. Our next scheduled therapy visits are on Thursday, so we will have to see if she will be up for that. Just another day in paradise.

Mika has a new part-time job collecting samples of various burrs from local parks for the Wisconsin Department of Natura...
08/04/2025

Mika has a new part-time job collecting samples of various burrs from local parks for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Each evening, I tear them out along with a significant hair sample and send them off to be analyzed. Just doing our part for our environment.

Today, Mika visited the Saturday coffee hour at Wintergreen Senior Residences. We missed our regular Thursday visit and...
07/05/2025

Today, Mika visited the Saturday coffee hour at Wintergreen Senior Residences. We missed our regular Thursday visit and with the heat, she needed an outside adventure. We are to the point where I just drop the leash and she works the crowd.

One of the people we visited today at Cambridge Senior Living gave us a handmade knitted washcloth. It was a sweet mome...
06/12/2025

One of the people we visited today at Cambridge Senior Living gave us a handmade knitted washcloth. It was a sweet moment.

Matthew Stepaniak and Mika being silly on Thursday. Go Limitless Cycling!
06/07/2025

Matthew Stepaniak and Mika being silly on Thursday. Go Limitless Cycling!

Mika gets a rickshaw ride from her friend Matt at Limitless Cycling. Priceless.
06/07/2025

Mika gets a rickshaw ride from her friend Matt at Limitless Cycling. Priceless.

While visiting a senior residence this morning, we were asked by a staff member to visit a gentleman whose wife had pass...
04/29/2025

While visiting a senior residence this morning, we were asked by a staff member to visit a gentleman whose wife had passed away that morning. The room was occupied by the gentleman, whom we had visited several times before, and 5-6 other family members. Mika provided a sense of comfort, mitigating some of the sadness and loss, if only for a short time. I appreciate Mika's ability to offer support in situations where words are insufficient. I am grateful.

Mika must endure wearing leftover Easter bunny ears while saying hi to CCH administrator Shelly D. before heading out to...
04/25/2025

Mika must endure wearing leftover Easter bunny ears while saying hi to CCH administrator Shelly D. before heading out to greet the far more normal residents and staff.

Mika made her first full visit to the River Falls Public Montessori Elementary School today. 8 classes, 160+ students. ...
04/10/2025

Mika made her first full visit to the River Falls Public Montessori Elementary School today. 8 classes, 160+ students. I paid close attention to make sure she wasn't getting overwhelmed. She did great. The picture was with one of the office staff. Unfortunately, no pictures with students for privacy reasons, but I am hoping that some teacher who took pictures might share some. It warmed my heart to be back visiting here.

04/01/2025

Another visit with high school students where Mika receives serious car-wash-like petting. She loves it. The students seem to like it too.

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Hudson, WI
54016

Telephone

+16082016869

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