Who We Are
Kate Titus, Instructor
Kate is the owner of A Loyal Companion (www.aloyalcompanion.com), a canine mobility company that keeps dogs moving comfortably through massage, braces, prosthetics and wheelchairs. Kate believes activities such as massage and training create great opportunities for owners and their dogs to build deeper relationships, and enjoys teaching the Therapy Dog Training course.
Kate and her handsome, stubborn hound mix, Harley, are a registered Delta Pet Therapy Team. They visit the Pima County Juvenile Detention Center on behalf of Gabriel’s Angels (www.gabrielsangels.org). Their work with this great non-profit provides healing pet therapy to abused, neglected and at-risk kids. Their goal is to break the cycle of violence by helping kids experience trust, feel empathy and show compassion. Harley is also a Garvin’s Pet Training success story!
Thank you, Moria Aicher!
In a previous life, Kate was a 16-year veteran of magazine publishing, working for such titles as “Inc.” magazine in Boston and “The Industry Standard” in San Francisco.
You can contact Kate at kate@garvinsdivinecanines.com.
Freda Blake, Volunteer Coordinator
Dr. Freda Harper Blake is a retired psychologist with extensive experience working with people with disabilities and emotional concerns. Prior to becoming a psychologist she worked for several years as a hospital administrator in Arkansas and Illinois. Her experience as a psychologist has given her an in-depth understanding of how therapy animals can be of help for those in emotional and/or physical need. She and her own dog, Snuffles, worked together when she was a practicing psychologist. She saw firsthand how distressed individuals relax and warm in the presence of a canine helper.
In her retirement, Dr. Blake has decided to lend her knowledge and expertise to Garvin’s Divine Canines in order to assist the pet therapy teams in becoming registered and finding an appropriate placement. She also coordinates continuing education/support opportunities to the therapy teams in order to aid their development.
She and her dog, Snuffles, are successful graduates of Garvin’s Obedience Training and the Therapy Dog Training Class. After the class they passed the Delta registering exam with flying colors and now visit a nearby assisted living center bringing smiles, joy, love and kindness to the residents there.
You can contact Freda at Freda@garvinsdivinecanines.com