Sports Saturday: An Agility Hero!
This story just melts my heart! It is one that touched me in so many ways, with its strong ties to occupational therapy and animal-based therapy. 85-year-old Ms. VanDeCarr is truly an inspiration — “As long as I’m doing agility, I don’t have any aches or pains or any problems.” Enjoy! 
Posted on November 5, 2011, in Agility, Sports Saturday and tagged Agility, Dog Sports, Dog Training, Inspirational, Occupational Therapy. Bookmark the permalink. 16 Comments.
Kas, this is truly inspiration! I love the way Mrs. VandeCarr was running at certain points, like along the dog plank. And the dog was awesome on that teeter-totter (is that what you call it?). They were both real stars. I am getting more and more interested in the animal-therapy work and this is a great example of how animals can motivate and inspire humans mentally and physically.
I am glad you enjoyed this story as well — it almost brought me to tears! Animal-based therapy practices can be more effective than more traditional methods, and like you said, there is just something amazing about how animals can affect us in so many wonderful ways!
Wow, this is amazing. I guess I can’t complain about MY 54 year old aches and pains running in agility, AND I guess I will be able to do it for another 30 plus years if I maintain the attitude that Mrs. VandeCarr has!
Ms. VandeCarr is certainly amazing — what an inspiration to us all to remain positive and active throughout life!
That was a wonderful tape and what a wonderful and inspirational lady. Love the way the dog waited for her. They were a joy to watch. Thanks, for sharing the tape. Hugs and nose kisses
Glad you enjoyed it — they are certainly a special, inspiring team!
Dogs keep you young I guess!
They definitely do!!
Pups add so much to our lives! : )
They do — what would we do without them??
How inspirational! Just goes to show how much more pets are to us than just “another warm body in the house” (I hate it when people say that!). They keep us young, fit, and happy! Thanks for posting this!
Couldn’t agree with you more!
That is wonderful. What a perfect example of a handler and dog working together.
Isn’t it?
That is amazing. She has one very well-trained dog. I love the animal/people connection.
Truly inspiring.
She is quite the inspiration, I agree!