I don't know if any of you are aware but one of our dogs is a St John's Ambulance therapy dog. He is very good, it seems to come naturally to him. When I had him in a local nursing home recently, we visited a lady who was bedridden and with no prompting from me, he gently walked up onto her bed and lay down beside her. She was smiling and happy. He has exhibited this behaviour many times, either sitting with people on a couch or chair or getting up on the bed. He offers his paw to be taken also with no training. He's a Bouvier and I understand they all have this nature. We got him from a rescue, like all our dogs, about four years ago and he came complete with personality!!! Very gentle indeed except when he sees a rabbit or fox then he's a lunatic. When we let him out we put bears bells on his collar to give any little creatures a head start and so far it's working!
The above and below pics are of him at Bell Park, Sudbury going through his paces. This is not necessary to be a therapy dog, it's just something most dogs enjoy.
The above pic is Luke with a gentleman from the local nursing home. He doesn't look to impressed but was actually very happy to have his picture taken and he enjoyed Luke's visit a lot!!!
Luke meeting another therapy dog.
10 comments:
Oh how neat, Amelia.... You need to take him to visit a nursing home OFTEN... They are a HUGE help to the patients there... WOW--what a fabulous dog you have.
Hugs,
Betsy
Luke is a beautiful dog and lucky to have been adopted by you. That's so sweet about him getting on the bed and also offering his paw. That must give so much comfort to those whose day's are lonely and long. Thanks for sharing the great photos.
Luke is adorable and what a blessing to have such a special dog. I know he brings lots of smiles and love from all he visits. I don't think Rusty as much as he loves attention and loving would be so well behaved in places as your dear Luke.
What a sweet dog Luke is! How beautiful Luke brings happiness to so many people. Thanks for sharing so much about such a sweet dog.
BTW, because of my husband's job, I am going to be in NS at least one more year. I hope we get to move next year but it is out of my hands. I am hoping the Pacific will help make it happen.
Those are probably the same mountains you saw on your trip to Alaska, he was travelling the same waters!
Jenny: I think this is so wonderful. Your dog must be a blessing to those he visits.
My niece has a very scary doberman which is a qualified therapy dog. She is a therapist herself.
My Heidi would be a lovely dog to cheer people up, if he could get over the habit of being to friendly initially. He is a wonderfully gentle and affectionate dog.
He's just gorgeous! At this past weekend's Fall Fair, I stayed a little while talking to some of the St. John Ambulance Dog Therapy volunteers and was able to watch one of the dogs go up to a handicapped girl in a wheelchair. He went up to her, put his head on her knee and just quietly stayed there. The girl couldn't talk but you could tell she was all excited:-) Have you brought Luke to the Elizabeth Center in Val Caron yet? That's almost next door to me and where June volunteers, helping a few of the elderly people there. No doubt all the people that have been in contact with Luke have fallen in love with him:-) xoxo
what a darling dog luke is! and how wonderful that he is a therapy dog!
Amelia this is lovely - such a lovely thing to do.. Good on you and your gorgeous dog !
Oh how wonderful, are therapy dogs!
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