The boy who cried wolf and the tortoise and the hare have one thing in common – they teach a lesson. But stories don’t have to be fiction to teach you about life. 

Grace the Dog shares true stories about adventures all over our county in the senior program Living with Grace. Each chapter in the award-winning six-book series offers many sweet, inspiring lessons. 

The benefits of storytelling for seniors reach far beyond teaching a lesson, though. Here are other valuable results of storytelling that make it a highly effective method of engagement:

• Demonstrates navigating change easier because every good story has some type of conflict resolution, so you can see different ways to solve problems and successfully deal with change.

• Inspires memories and reminds you of wonderful experiences, which fosters happiness.

• Encourages creativity as you enjoy the illustrations in your book and the details of the adventures.

• Provides stimulation for your mind when you hear your narrator’s voice and concentrate on the stories being shared, which is very good for your brain health.

• Reduces stress because it takes you away from the troubles of the here and now, and offers a fun, exciting story to jump into.

• Explains ideas in meaningful ways that people can relate to and therefore feel connected through.(1)

The benefits you get from listening to or sharing a story can be very personal. If you are hearing a story for the first time that touches you, or sharing one that has deep meaning for you, the experience of storytelling can benefit you in an almost therapeutic way.

Why Living With Grace is a Perfect Fit for Your Life Enrichment or Activity Program

All of the benefits of storytelling are found in the Living with Grace program. It is a perfect fit for any activity calendar because it:

• Includes 3 sets of 6 books full of true adventures!

• Is evergreen – it can be scheduled for any time of day, during any season.

• Needs no preparation time. Once you have watched the training video, all you need are the books.

• Comes with a program facilitator guide to show how to get the most out of the program.

• Provides sensory stimulation with soft Grace the Dog plush.

Living with Grace compliments any existing activity program because it can be enjoyed by residents in any level of care. All you need to do is grab the books, Grace the Dog plush, and get ready for an adventure!

To learn more about Living with Grace or to place your order, please visit www.EverybodyLovesGrace.com today!

Reference

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6209845/

Picture yourself petting a friendly black and tan dog while gazing down into the Grand Canyon. Imagine that same brave dog alerting you to a bear on your driveway in the Colorado mountains, or exploring the Alamo with you during a trip to Texas. Adventures come alive in your mind when you read or participate in storytelling, no matter where you are.

Storytelling is the art of using words to transport you to a different place without ever having to leave the room. It transcends physical limitations and age groups. And when storytelling is done through the eyes of a kind, loving dog, it inspires listeners to lead a happier, fuller life.

This is why seniors love Living With Grace, a program that uses storytelling to share the true adventures of Grace the Dog. The stories take listeners to colorful places where she meets interesting people. 

The Importance of Storytelling

Sharing a story is one of the very best ways to engage seniors. Research shows that the act of telling stories is a central element for establishing human connections.(1)

Other reasons why sharing a story is important include:

• Recording history. When true stories, like those of Grace the Dog, are written down or shared through storytelling, the wonderful memories are preserved and not forgotten.

• Raising awareness. Stories are powerful, and when you use them to illustrate how kindness should be shown to all people, as Grace does, you use them to change your world for the better.

• Regaining Control. Many seniors feel like their autonomy is reduced as they age, but listening to and sharing stories helps them realize they have a degree of control over how they perceive their surroundings.

Sharing stories is important because it reaches across cultures and ages, and not only defines people but unifies them, too. 

How Does Storytelling Bring People Together? 

When someone asks if they can share a story with you, your curiosity probably gets the best of you and you lend them your ear for a bit. Curiosity is just one way that storytelling brings people together.

Other ways storytelling brings people together include:

• Sparking conversations about their past, their families, or their careers. Sometimes the best part of a storytelling program is the conversations that happen after the story ends!

• Illustrates commonality– did you have a dog like Grace, too? Tell me about her! Or maybe you had other pets that you’d like to share stories about. Caring for animals is something many people have in common.

• Increases empathy by connecting with characters in a story.(2) This is beneficial for your mental health and creates a bond between you and all the people participating in the storytelling.

A good story draws you in, just like a smiling dog wagging her tail draws you to her for a belly rub. And when the adventures in the story unfold, you and everyone with you in the room are transported to Utah, Pennsylvania, or Washington D.C. 

Living with Grace provides the perfect setting for inspiring seniors to share their stories. It starts with Grace’s adventures, and by following the program guide, you can prompt participants to engage and finish the activity with lively conversations.

If you would like to enhance your activity program with a proven method of engagement your seniors will love, order Living with Grace today!

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8179166/
2. https://www.verywellmind.com/how-storytelling-is-good-for-your-mental-health-5199744

Storytelling provides one of the most powerful tools to keep seniors engaged and alert, multiple studies have shown. 

And everyone loves a good adventure story, right?

Grace the Dog shares her adventures from all over our country in the award-winning book series Everybody Loves Grace. Now, it is available as a comprehensive senior activity program Living With Grace.

If you’d like the chance to see what an adventure with Grace is all about, you’re in luck!

On June 8th, I’ll be giving away 5 copies of book 1 of Everybody Loves Grace with the facilitator guide for Living with Grace for FREE!

All you have to do is fill out this form to qualify for the drawing. I hope you’ll join me as I announce the winner LIVE!

Living With Grace includes 3 copies of all 6 books, Grace the Dog Plush, audio books, a training video, and facilitator guides. 

“The guidebook’s thoughtful prompts allow readers to stay fully present and, in the moment, eliminating the need to worry about what to discuss or how to spark conversation. It provides a structured framework for discussions, ensuring that every interaction is purposeful and enriching.” -CarePartners Dementia Day Center in Houston

To learn more about Living With Grace, please visit my website at www.EverybodyLovesGrace.com today!

Your pets are special members of your family, don’t you think?

They help you to stay active and live a fuller, happier life.

One very special animal who helps seniors stay active and engaged is Grace the Dog, a Finnish Lapphund.

Through the activity program Living With Grace, seniors experience many exciting adventures with Grace, like going to the Alamo, the Grand Canyon, and Washington D.C!

Living With Grace is a comprehensive activity program that includes everything you need for an engaging, inspiring event for your seniors. It comes with 3 sets of the award-winning 6 book series Everybody Loves Grace, Grace the Dog Plush, facilitator guides, training video, and audio recordings.

“(Living With Grace) Provided for lots of reflection from the participants that facilitated discussion and sharing. Memory recall was great – this was a big plus and stimulated participation – it was like you could see their brains working. We were amazed at the level of engagement.” Jenny Duval, VP of Care Coordination at Family Service Association

If you would like a chance to join Grace on her first adventure for FREE, you are in luck! 

In 10 days, I’ll be giving away 5 copies of book 1!

All you have to do is fill out this entry form to qualify for the drawing that I’ll be doing LIVE on June 13th. 

If you want to find out more about Grace and how her adventures can bring fun and excitement to your senior’s life, check out www.EverybodyLovesGrace.com today!

To help the seniors in your life smile and enjoy a happier, fuller, life, let me introduce you to Grace!

She is a very special dog who takes you on adventures in the award-winning book series Everybody Loves Grace. They are part of the activity program Living with Grace which includes 6 books, Grace the Dog Plush, facilitator guides, training video, and audio recordings.

Your seniors share in her trips across the country and are encouraged to reminisce about their own adventures, special moments, and favorite pets. 

“I thought at first I was reading children’s books, but lo and behold they’re books for everyone. As I followed Grace on her trips I felt like I was going right along with her. What fun for a wheel-bound senior! Grace’s books are comforting and adventurous. Fortunately, I got to meet Grace and what a joy and sweet memory that is.”

—SHERRIE J.

Program Participant

Living with Grace encourages storytelling and promotes meaningful connections to help your seniors thrive every day. 

To learn more about how Living With Grace is making a difference, please visit www.EverybodyLovesGrace.com today!

If you want to take your favorite seniors on an adventure, I have great news!

The award-winning book series Everybody Loves Grace is now a comprehensive activity program for seniors called Living With Grace. 

Grace the Dog is out to enhance the lives of seniors with her adventures from the Grand Canyon in Arizona to barbeque festivals in Colorado!

Living With Grace engages seniors to live fuller, happier lives through positive, timely, and relevant messages. It includes:

• 6 book series full of adventures!
• 6 Audio books
• Facilitator guides
• Grace the Dog Plush
• Training Video

“Relatable stories, valuable lessons, inspiring messages, and a wonderful resource for my team to be able to care for our residents more and be at their desks less. Thank you Katy and Grace!”

—BRENDA HUNT

Senior Living Engagement Consultant

To learn more about how Living With Grace can support seniors to see themselves as valuable contributors to their community, please visit my website at www.EverybodyLovesGrace.com today!

I recently held a book launch for my new book, Humble Yet Fierce: My Life Behind the Curtain of the CIA. It was a wonderful party filled with friends, family, neighbors and many former colleagues. It was a night of reconnecting with important people in my life. I didn’t want to end.

The celebration was held in the Glory Days Grill in Falls Church, Virginia. It was a sweet reminder of the book signing we did a few years ago to celebrate the Everybody Loves Grace series. The only difference this time was Grace wasn’t there to greet everyone, work the room, and find yummy bits of food on the floor.

It’s hard to believe the dog days of the summer of 2023 are almost over. I wanted to remind readers to take advantage of the 20% off every Everybody Loves Grace book through the end of August.

I hope everyone enjoys the end of summer and that our kids and teachers have a wonderful school year.

With Love, Katy

My newest book, Humble Yet Fierce: My Life Behind the Curtain of the CIA, is dedicated to Grace for helping me find my voice. When I started telling Grace’s stories, I had no idea they would lead me to writing my story.

Often, we want to speak up, but we don’t, gripped by fear and the need to get along. The reality is, it’s hard to find our voice: and then one day we do.

Like the Everybody Loves Grace stories, I bring my true-life stories of courage, faith, and adventure related to that journey. From the life-changing events in my first year of college to my career in the CIA, I share that you don’t have to be loud to be strong.

It’s only fitting that Grace is on the cover of the book with me as I am often reminded how Grace epitomized being Humble Yet Fierce. You can read about Grace in Part 8: Find Your Voice.

If you are interested in ordering the book, you can  buy it on Amazon.

Dear Friends and Grace Followers,

I have struggled with how to share the news of Grace’s passing. This is a post I never wanted to write but knew that it was inevitable. Death is a part of the cycle of life.

Grace lived with such a strong spirit until the bitter end, and then she let me know it was time. She was as dignified in death as she was in life.

I am grateful she shared her life with me and with all of you through her stories. She brought joy, adventure and love to everyone she met for 16 years.

I plan to write book seven of the Everybody Loves Grace series. In her parting message, Grace asked me to share her story that we are never too old for a new adventure. She also wanted to remind us to love and live every day to the fullest.

Much Love, Katy

I had another fun interview with Murphy Huston on the radio. Murphy does such a great job asking questions that help me share the impact of the Everybody Loves Grace series on people of all ages.

During the interview we talked about the launch of the Living with Grace-A Seniors Program designed to support caretakers in their mission to provide seniors with a fuller and happier life. The messages the program delivers are timely and positive, and relative to their special needs. A focus of the program is to support seniors with ways to navigate change, be active and stay connected. 

Stay tuned for more fun happenings related to the Living with Grace program. In the meantime, you can have a listen to my latest interview that aired on Bonneville Radio’s KOSI 101.1 and KYGO 98.5.

Lovingly, Katy

I’m excited to share that we are officially launching the Living with Grace Seniors Program. This special program was developed to provide seniors with a fuller and happier life. The messages the program delivers are positive, timely, and relevant to their special needs. We’ve tried it out at a number of centers and have seen first-hand how the program brings the participants joy within themselves and connection with others.

Studies have shown that when seniors are engaged with others, emotional well-being and physical health improves. Because growing older comes with many changes, it is essentially important to support seniors with ways to navigate change, be active, feel inspired, stay connected with others and see themselves as valuable contributors within their community. To live in this way is to thrive.

The Living with Grace Seniors Program is filled with stories to share, meaningful connections, contributes to an organization and provides participants with ways to thrive each day.

I look forward to sharing with you how this adventure unfolds. The program launch is at the National Adult Day Services Association conference in Pittsburgh, PA on 12-14 October 2022. Lovingly, Katy

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for the summer heat wave to be over. It’s been one hot summer and I spend a lot of time inside by an air conditioning vent.

We are in the “Dog Days” of summer which are usually the hottest and most unbearable days of the year. Most people think “Dog Days” is a reference to the hot and humid days that are “not fit for a dog.” You might be surprised to know the phrase is a reference to the rising of Sirius, the Dog Star that is a part of the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog.

Sirius is the brightest star in the sky and it’s not hard to find.

“Dog days are approaching; you must, therefore, make both hay and haste while the Sun shines, for when old Sirius takes command of the weather, he is such an unsteady, crazy dog, there is no dependence upon him.” – The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 1817

We have a special sale going on for Everybody Loves Grace: A True Story of Grace’s Adventure to Washington, DC. A perfect book for reading indoors on a hot summer day. Visit www.everybodylovesgrace.com.

Lovingly, Grace

Some readers think I’m kidding when I say Grace doesn’t sleep when she’s in
the car on a road trip, but it’s true. Grace made another cross-country trip
with me this month and she slept a total of 30 minutes, max.  It only took us three days to drive from Colorado
to Virginia thanks to the help from my dear friend, Beth Nicoson.

Grace did an amazing job of going with the flow on the trip even when the
car’s air conditioning decided not to work while driving through Nebraska.
The kind staff at Dirk’s Auto in Lincoln, NE, fit us in for a repair because we
were traveling with “a senior dog.” Thanks to Dirk’s, our car was in
the shop at 0800am on day two of our drive, and we were cool and ready to go by
0900am.

The July road trip combined with the last few months have all the key elements for a new Everybody Loves Grace story. I’m excited to get writing book 7 in the series.

Until Then, Katy

I’ve made some special friends this year at the Joan Farley Academy in Denver, Colorado. Mommy and I met regularly with their students on Monday mornings. The kids are so easy to be with and I love when they read my first book out loud.

Some of the kids are really shy so it’s fun to see them willingly participate in the book readings. I like it because they make Mommy laugh as she listens to my stories. It seems no matter how many times Mommy hears them (and don’t forget she wrote them) she still laughs out loud.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend which is the official start of summer.

Lovingly, Grace

The word is out about the impact Grace and the Everybody Loves Grace series is having to help children learn to read. The testimonials from parents about their child overcoming reading difficulties or wanting to read before bed for the first time, is what keeps us going. And it’s all because of Grace and grace.

We’ve been blessed with some amazing media coverage recently. Please see what we’ve been up to on our “in the news” tab https://www.everybodylovesgrace.com/in-the-news/

Word is getting around Denver about Grace and how she simply looks people in the eyes and it makes them feel loved. I want to thank Amanda Hancock with The Denver Gazette for writing a story about Grace that truly captures her essence.

Thank you, Amanda, for sharing about Grace and how her love is felt by all who meet her. Just click on this link to read the article.

https://denvergazette.com/life/after-leaving-cia-colorado-woman-pens-books-inspired-by-her-lovable-dog-grace/article_b1d39902-979d-5633-91c5-87709acd197c.html?utm_source=dg-news-alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert

That’s something I love to do, and it’s proven that dogs help kids learn to read.

My mommy says, “children need to practice a lot when first learning to read.” And for kids, it can be embarrassing to mess up, but when they are practicing with a dog like me, they don’t mind making mistakes.

A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Davis confirmed that children who read to, or with dogs really do perform better. Young students who read out loud to dogs improved their reading skills by 12 percent over the course of a 10-week program, while children in the same program who didn’t read to dogs showed no improvement.

In case you want to hear more, here’s an interview on Channel 11 with my mommy. She talked about our adventures, book readings and helping kids learn to read.

https://www.kktv.com/2022/02/11/colorado-author-inspires-young-people-read-through-her-book-series-canine-companion/

Lovingly, Grace

Hello My Friends,

It’s that time of year when I share important things I learned throughout the year. This was another year filled with new life lessons for me:

1. Follow Your Heart – Go where your heart leads you, it never fails and will take you where you’re meant to be
2. Use Your Voice – Bark as loud as necessary in order to be heard
3. Embrace Your Friends – Good friends are priceless and it’s important to help each other

Mommy and I wish you a Happy New Year and I’m so grateful you are in my life.

Lovingly, Grace