top stories : : : :

Sonoma Valley's beloved and infamous therapy camel, Kazzy, will be featured on the Hallmark Television Channel's "New Morning" program on Monday, Dec. 3, at 7 a.m. on cable Channel 30.

"Before you turn to the news, before you turn to the weather, before you check the traffic report, focus on the things that will really make a difference in your day," is, according to Robin Lyon, one of Kazzy's guardians, how the "New Morning" show begins each episode. "The production focuses on cheerful, positive news that hopefully will make the viewer feel optimistic when starting the day," said Lyon.

Kazzy's home, on the Lyon Ranch off Grove Street, is also home to dozens of rescued animals and birds, many of whom have enriched the lives of shut-ins, elderly and sick people all over the Bay Area. Therapy animals such as Kazzy go into hospitals, convalescent homes and senior complexes regularly in Sonoma and Marin counties, San Francisco, the East Bay and wherever they are welcome. They visit hundreds of people every year bringing joy and amazement to those fortunate to have a visit. "Kazzy's episode is definitely uplifting," said Lyon. "It's a sort of 'day in the life of Kazzy story,'" Lyon added.

The TV show follows the camel across the Golden Gate Bridge, into San Francisco, past the hubbub of cable cars and daily traffic.

Kazzy, an Asian Bactrian camel (two humps) is now 7 years old, with a height of seven feet, six inches and a weight of 1,750 pounds. She is shown in the program walking up Geary Boulevard and heading into the Institute on Aging where "her back hump doesn't exactly clear the door," said Lyon. "So without hesitation, she undulates the hump in a wave-like motion and enters the building."

The Institute on Aging is a community-based organization that enhances the lives of thousands of San Francisco seniors by enabling them to maintain their health, well-being, independence and participation in the community by providing innovative programs of social service, education, research, creative arts and spiritual support.

On the day of Kazzy's visit, there is a very diverse group of elderly participants, many in wheelchairs. The filming was done, according to Lyon, without a script or rehearsals - just the usual way that Kazzy visits. "Much of the program is heartwarming and oftentimes amusing," Lyon said. Kazzy interacts with the men and women at the institute, sometimes resting her head on their laps, bending down so she can be petted and even giving gentle kisses by placing her soft lips on the cheek of a willing recipient. She also accepts kisses from anyone, and she never spits.

Kazzy is not the only camel at Lyon Ranch. Four-year old Humphrey is a one-hump Arabian who is also being trained as a therapy animal by Robin and her husband, Rob Lyon. Most, if not all, of the animals on the ranch are rescues and have come from a variety of places, each with its own unique background. Dogs, donkeys, chickens, exotic birds, and even a "zedonk" - a combination of a zebra and a donkey and named ZZ Top - inhabit the Lyon Ranch.

Robin Lyon, a retired airline flight attendant, and Rob Lyon, a retired airline pilot, both said they can't imagine doing anything else but attending to and training therapy animals to bring joy to the lives of many who otherwise would never have the experience of a camel's kiss.

Please log in to comment:

*Member ID:
*Password:
	Forgot Your Password?

Not registered yet? Sign up here! (registration is free)

Note: All fields are required

Personal Information

First Name:

Last Name:

Address:

City:

State:

ZIP code:

Phone:

Email: (this will serve as your username)

Desired password:

Re-type password: