[caption id="attachment_21053" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Pets-Therapy-Dogs.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-21053" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Pets-Therapy-Dogs-300x300.jpg" alt="Dick Hoagland, left, director of Therapy Dogs International’s Beaufort Chapter No. 229, passed the gavel to new Director Russ Dimke on Saturday." width="300" height="300" /></a> Dick Hoagland, left, director of Therapy Dogs International’s Beaufort Chapter No. 229, passed the gavel to new Director Russ Dimke on Saturday.[/caption]

Therapy Dogs International’s local Beaufort Chapter #229 announces new officers for 2015-16. Outgoing Director Dick Hoagland has passed the gavel to new Director Russ Dimke.  Also joining the board is Cora Fay as secretary.  Lynn Stratton will continue as Vice Director and Treasurer. The local chapter of Therapy Dogs International has more than 30 members and visits assisted living centers, hospitals and rehab facilities as well as operating their Tail Waggin’ Tutor reading program in elementary schools and after-school programs at the Wardle Family YMCA in Port Royal. For more information on joining Therapy Dogs or having a therapy dog visit your facility, please contact Russ Dimke at 846-9580 or dimke@hargray.com.