Daily Inspiration: Meet Heather Williams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Williams.

Hi Heather, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! My name is Heather Williams, and I’m the pet mom to Callie, Waffle and Paisleigh. 

Pets are more than just little creatures that live in our homes. They are family. They bring joy and laughter, snuggles and purrs. They teach us about ourselves, how to relate to others and how to live to the fullest. In 2014, I started an Instagram account (@callieandwaffle) for my cat and dog. I began the account partially to relieve my family and friends from needing to scroll through unending photos of my pets on my personal Facebook page. But mostly, I created it to log my adventures with them and the simple but precious, everyday moments.

Callie is a calico cat. Waffle is a nine-pound maltipoo (maltese/poodle). In 2017, Paisleigh, a Havanese puppy, joined our little pack. Through our Instagram account, we have met many other local pets and have enjoyed participating in the numerous dog events that the KC area offers. We regularly visit small businesses in the area that cater to pets.

Several years ago, I started following @norbertthedog on Instagram. Norbert is a three-pound therapy dog who lives in California. It was the first time I became acquainted with the work of a therapy dog. Many people don’t know the difference between a therapy dog, a service dog and an emotional support animal. A therapy dog is trained to provide support and comfort to people in a variety of settings. These can include hospitals, schools, senior living facilities, courts, juvenile detention centers, shelters and hospices, among others. After learning more about therapy dogs and seeing the value they provide to others, I knew I wanted to be part of this community. When I added Paisleigh to our family, I hoped she would one day become a therapy dog. She began individual training at four months old, followed by group therapy dog training classes. We learned about Pets For Life, a local 501c3 organization that certifies therapy animals in Kansas City and connects them with organizations and facilities to visit. Paisleigh became a certified therapy dog on her first birthday in 2018. Since that time, we have regularly visited a senior living facility with assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care and rehab areas. Paisleigh loves the residents, and they look forward to interacting with her. They often comment on how soft her hair is as she sits on their lap. Paisleigh later became R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) certified. This allows her to visit libraries and schools so children can practice their reading skills. She has comforted stressed college students during exam week and supported high school students participating in a debate tournament. But the elderly is her population of choice!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The greatest obstacle for Paisleigh was during the initial months of COVID-19 when she was unable to do therapy visits. She loves seeing her “friends” and thrives on the attention she receives from them. She gives from her heart, and it was obvious that she missed the times of interaction with those that gained so much from her visits.

For me, the biggest challenge is knowing how short Callie, Waffle and Paisleigh’s time with me will be. Because of this, I strive to make the most of each day with them. They remind me that we never know how much time we have with anyone we love and therefore, we must treasure each moment.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Through my volunteer work with Pets For Life, I have witnessed Paisleigh brightening the days of many people. There is something magical when seeing an elderly person’s eyes light up as she enters the room. The pet her and ask questions about her. They comment on her soft fur or compliment her hair bows. One day we were visiting with an elderly man. It was his first time seeing Paisleigh. He held her on his lap and stroked her fur. He noticed that her vest said “therapy dog.” Then he said to me, “There is more therapy in that little dog than anywhere else.” The next time we visited, he had passed away. I find such beauty in knowing that Paisleigh is bringing support, affection and connection in a way that we, as humans, often can’t or don’t. She brings people together through smiles and laughter. She ignites memories of treasured pets that they had in their past. Just by her presence, Paisleigh makes their day brighter.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If you have a dog, cat or other animal that has an affectionate personality and knows or can learn basic obedience skills, please consider the certification process to become a therapy animal. It will be equally rewarding for you as it is for the people whose lives your animal is influencing.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @callieandwaffle

Image Credits
Kim Joyce Photography (feature photo)