Dear Ann Landers,
fter reading the letter from "Dog Lover in N.Y.," I had to write. "Dog Lover" was amazed that her friends had shelled out $750 to put their dogs in doggie camps. You responded with a quote from your grandmother, "Dogs should be with dogs, and people should be with people." Thankfully, the thousands who work with and benefit from pet-assisted therapy don't share your grandmother's views. When my mother suffered a severe stroke, I put my dog, Kadie, in an airline carry-on bag and flew to my parents' home. Mom's crooked smile told me she was glad to see me, but her eyes reflected anxiety. When Kadie started to lick Mom's face, I saw hope and happiness come back into her eyes. I then joined a local volunteer organization called Paws Across Texas. Kadie and I work as a registered therapy team, visiting nursing homes and hospitals. I witnessed a hardened street kid turn into a caring child when he gave my tired dog a drink of water out of a paper cup. I saw a handicapped person bury her face in the dog's fur and laugh with delight. And I've seen how it brightens the day of lonely seniors in a nursing home when Kadie cuddles next to them in bed.

Dear L.A.,
Get out the wet noodle. My grandmother was wrong. The beautiful, warmhearted letters from dog lovers have convinced me that a dog can indeed be man's best friend.