“Last summer I spent countless hours searching for a therapy dog for our Children’s Room at Barrington Public Library. Words alone cannot adequately express my good fortune in finding Windwalker Professional Pet Assisted Therapy Program. Upon hearing our needs, they matched us with Lisa Weinberg and her 120-lbs of love, Quincy, a 4-year old Bernese mountain dog. Right out of the gate, Lisa was extremely warm, professional, organized and possessed contagious enthusiasm for our joint venture. Newly licensed, she was just as enthusiastic as I was to launch this brand new program for our youngest library patrons.

To kick things off last fall, Lisa and Quincy held two meet and greets in the Children’s Room and were immediately welcomed with huge smiles and lots of hugs from everyone they encountered: newborns, kids, parents and grandparents. Both Quincy and Lisa were extremely sweet, loving and exceptionally patient with the plentitude of eager hands dying to pet him. They posed for pictures, spent extra one-on-one time with patrons and brought with them serenity and peace.

Since that initial visit, they’ve returned to the library for Exam Cram week—a multi-night engagement meant to ease test-taking anxiety for local high school students, of which Quincy was the highlight. At a subsequent program, Lisa read simple “how-to-care for your pet” stories to toddlers, with Quincy as the proud model. I’m thrilled that we have many exciting programs in the works and look forward to our continued partnership. Quite frankly, there’s nothing better than seeing first-hand the pure joy that they bring to the Children’s Room at Barrington Public Library.”

“We have just loved having Lisa and Quincy on campus for midterm and final exams!  Students~and the staff, for sure!~ benefit from the immediate smile and urge to slow down that seeing them on the deck outside gives us, as we pass hurriedly between buildings.  It is a real treat just to slow down for a warm exchange with Lisa and a couple of quick pats and nuzzle on our legs from Quincy.  I hope they will be a regular part of “stress less” efforts on campus for years to come!”