Chuck The World's Greatest Therapy Dog is a Journal of stories about a sweet, very large yellow Labrador Retriever that became a Therapy Dog that visited hospitals, colleges, a children's home, assisted living homes and was even helpful with other dogs, children and neighbors.
His Tails of Love include touching, humorous and insight on how helpful therapy dogs are to people.
Chuck was a family dog that was a little over a year old when a neighbor recognized that Chuck had just the right temperament to be a trained Certified Therapy Dog. These are dogs that are simply used to provide comfort and companionship. Any breed and any size can change a person's day. We have also included a few facts about the first therapy dogs, tales about our previous dogs, and stories from other therapy dog owners. We even share a few anecdotes about how ancient cultures viewed dogs.
Nursing Home Visit: We entered our first assisted living home. Everyone is smiling and so happy to see a big yellow lab prancing in with his wagging tail that could knock over an entire table of bricks. The volunteer coordinators and techs escorted us, and their first idea was "Mr. Jones!". "Oh Mr. Jones will LOVE to meet Chuck…he needs a friend". He was in a wheelchair sitting by himself in a hall. His head was slumped over. Totally still but his eyes were open. I am holding Chuck on his long leash but talking to our hosts. Suddenly they are all smiling and letting out 'ewwwes' and 'awwwes' exclaiming that Chuck Loves Mr. Jones. The love was assumed because Chuck was licking Mr. Jones' hands, legs, arms…chewing on his sweater. Everyone is ecstatic! Somehow, I just knew there was a catch. I walked over to look, and Chuck was gleefully licking a ton of breadcrumbs off his body. Maybe Chuck really did love him – the food being a bonus.
Our First Miracle: There were three of us and our first stop was the mental hospital's children's wing. As soon as we went through the doors a little girl, maybe nine years old was walking the hall with a tech. She was catatonic. No life in her eyes or movement. We stopped for a moment and our tech was explaining the layout. During that time, Chuck was standing still, and the little girl came up to him, started petting him on the head and looking at his volunteer badge. I was paying attention to the staff. The tech and little girl whispered to each other and then we walked on. When we left the wing and the door closed. The Director looked at me and said,
"That was the FIRST time that the little girl had spoken since being here".
Follow Chuck's visits as he makes people smile that never want to come out of their room, plays with the kids, steals a sock out of a patient's room and brings a calming presence to sad teenagers. You may be inspired to investigate having your own family dog become a certified therapy dog. They are in such demand and the excursions are very fulfilling.