Paws To Heal

Ann-Marie and Amelia

Amelia was born at Guide Dogs of America in Sylmar and puppyraised by Ann-Marie and Ed. From the time she was 8 weeks old, Amelia has been "working" at the Upland Library where Ann-Marie is the children's librarian. She was named after the children's book character Amelia Bedelia, but isn't quite as silly. While in training, she visited 7 states, had a blast at Disneyland and went on a whale watch cruise. When Amelia was 18 months old, she was chosen to be a breeding dog by Guide Dogs of America. Her first litter of 6 puppies was born in July of 2004. Amelia gave birth to two more litters for GDA and was released from the program and formally adopted by Ann-Marie and Ed in October of 2007.

The library and the local community held a puppy shower for her where they collected donated cans and bags of pet food which were donated to H.O.P.E., an animal rescue group in Upland.

Amelia continues to work at the library, attending storytimes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. She loves meeting all the kids and their parents who visit the library and also loves to visit schools, and go to meetings. She is a certified Delta Society therapy dog as well as a Reading Education Assistance Dog with Intermountain Therapy Animals. She is one of 10 teams who take part in PAWPALS at the Upland Library on Saturday mornings from 10 to noon where kids read stories to dogs and earn free books. Amelia and Ann-Marie visit the West Valley Detention Center twice a week and will soon begin visiting San Antonio Community Hospital as part of their visiting dogs program. Every Friday, Amelia rides the Metro Link to work with her Dad. She loves trains! Her hobbies include stealing cookies, playing High Noon with her "sister" Mickey, and napping in the sun. You can e-mail her at pawpals@ci.upland.ca.us.

Amelia getting in some light reading	Amelia as a mermaid Summer Reading program Make a Splash, Read! Upland Library