03/30/2026
PAWSitive Therapy Troupe April 2026 Members of the Month
Diane Carter and Chang
Diane and her Labrador Retriever, Chang have been a Pet Partner team since 2014. They began their therapy journey as members of the Community Partner group “PAWS 4 Patients”. When that group dissolved in 2022, Diane and Chang joined the PAWSitive Therapy Troupe. They have volunteered at many different locations over the past 11 years. They have brought smiles and comfort to patients and staff at MacNeal hospital in Berwyn. They have enjoyed working with young readers in the “Read With Me” programs at Oak Park, Forest Park, and River Forest Public libraries. And finally, Diane and Chang bring some much-needed stress relief to high school and college students during final exam weeks. They love seeing the students at Proviso Math and Science Academy in Forest Park, Dominican University and Concordia University of Chicago. Chang is a big favorite wherever she goes!
Here is what Diane has to say about Chang and her special gits as a therapy dog”
Chang has been special since she was born with a heart defect in 2013. I had been searching for a female black lab puppy, and she was the only one available in the area that summer. It seemed that it was meant to be that she would come home with us, in spite of her heart issues. We took her to a cardiologist immediately and understood that her life span might not be normal, but she was active, inquisitive, happy, and truly special from the beginning. We have had at least one black lab since we were married in 1972. A couple were puppies, but the rest were from Lab Rescue organizations, and a few became therapy dogs. I wanted to train one last puppy from the “beginning” and we adopted Chang when she was 8 weeks old. Although she slept soundly through her first puppy class, after that she was perky and attentive and picked up lessons quickly. She was a normal frisky puppy and was quick to learn the routine and accommodated to our household easily. She loved her big lab sisters, Sarah (a therapy dog) and Sadie. I should mention that her name, Chang, means elephant in the Thai language. My daughter is an archaeologist in Southeast Asia, and I became enamored of elephants when we visited there.
We started therapy visits shortly after she passed the Pet Partners test when she was just over a year old, and we joined our local pet therapy group, Paws 4 Patients. When that group disbanded in 2022, we joined Pawsitive Therapy Troupe. Our initial visits were to the school library where I was working at the time, and Chang came to love visits to all libraries. She seemed to know that she could rest on her blanket, and the children would pet her and read her favorite books (Elephant and Piggie), without judgement. We visited all kinds of classrooms, and students who were not used to being around dogs were able to become comfortable with her. It has also been meaningful to have parents and teachers remark that it helped their child gain confidence in oral reading by reading to Chang. For several years we visited a Breast Care Center weekly to provide comfort to ladies waiting for mammograms. Hospital visits, particularly to the staff, are another of our favorites. It makes me happy to know that just Chang’s presence can relieve stress and make someone’s day better. The more people she can greet the better! We also love to hear people say that she “made their day” particularly in the ICU and other high stress areas. Chang is always happy to greet any incidental visitors that she might encounter in the hallways. It lightens the mood for everyone.
Visits to college students during finals time is also a highlight. We love to hear about the pets that they are missing at home, and it brings comfort to have even a brief encounter with Chang. When she was younger, we loved to walk in our local July 4 parade. She was sure all those people along the parade route waving flags and cheering were there to admire and wave at her. As a senior dog, she still loves her hospital, school and library visits. She wags her happy tail and wiggles for everyone. I have been very fortunate to have her in my life and be able to share her with so many people.
On behalf of all of us in the PAWSitive Therapy Troupe, thank YOU, Diane and Chang, for your many years of devoted service!
