By Gerri Miller
Elmore/Autauga News Staff Writer
Children were petting and snuggling doggies of many sizes and breeds Tuesday when “Dogs on Call” brought seven therapy dogs to the second day of the Tri-County Camp for the Visually Impaired.
Nineteen children are attending the week-long camp being held at Camellia Baptist Church in Prattville. Tuesday was doggie day as the children interacted with breeds ranging from Golden Retrievers to Spaniels and Chihuahuas.
Dogs on Call is a program of Easter Seals Alabama and provides pet therapy services to people in nursing /assisted living facilities, hospitals, children’s rehabilitation centers and other locations.
The children also get to play sports at camp, do arts and crafts, music and other special programs. This is the fourteenth year that Melinda Allen or “Moe” as she likes to be called, has directed the camp. The only year with no camp was last year due to COVID restrictions.
Allen started the camp right after her daughter Maddie finished first grade. Maddie, who is blind, outgrew the camp years ago but still comes back every year to volunteer. Allen said she has been every bit as much blessed as the children she and her volunteers serve.
There are many siblings who help with the program. Brookelynn Blackman, 16, is the older sister of 12-year-old Braylynn Blackman. She said she has been helping with the program ever since Braylynn started the camp as a toddler.
Their mother, Volante Blackman, said Braylynn loves the socialization she gets with older kids when she participates in the camp.
This was the first year of camp for five-year-old Conrad Holley and his grandmother Kellie Holley said he seems to like it so far. Holley found out about the camp because Allen is a member of her church.
Today the campers will get a special visit from the Prattville Fire Department and on Friday beekeeper Alyson Andrews will share her craft with the campers. This year’s theme revolves around bees- “Bee Happy-Just be You.”
Allen said she wanted to thank the sponsors who helped make the program possible. She thanked Camellia Baptist Church for letting the camp use its facility. She also thanked the Prattville and Wetumpka Lions Clubs and Ivy Creek Health Care for sponsoring the program.
