Jane and Gabby chat with one of the residents
I first met Jane and her dog Gabby when they attended a beginners therapy dog workshop I was conducting – and then they returned to attend my advanced therapy dog workshop a month later. Thing is… I’m in Western Massachusetts and Jane and Gabby live in Peru, Maine! I felt honored that they had read about my experience working with therapy dogs and decided to make the trek down south – in the middle of winter – to learn the skills and techniques used in therapy dog visiting.
Jane is a certified dog trainer and knows full well the importance of training your dog to become a happy, well-adjusted member of the family. Jane’s Gabby is 8 years old; a wire-haired fox terrier/mix; and needless to say, beautifully trained. Jane has wanted to do therapy dog work with Gabby – and knew that pursuing instruction was the route to go in order to be well-prepared.
One year after attending my workshops – having practiced the skills and techniques they had been taught – Jane applied to become a member of Bright Spot Therapy Dogs, Inc. Friday was the day set for Gabby’s evaluation – and in order to arrive at the test facility for their 10:00 AM appointment, they left their home in Peru, Maine at 4:00 AM! I arrived at the nursing home where we hold evaluations 10 minutes early – and there they were waiting for me (and I just had a 7 minutes drive!).
Jane and Gabby employed all the skills they had learned in both workshops – Gabby, wagging her tail as she strode down the corridors right by Jane’s side, on a loose lead. They’d stop when they came to a resident – Jane asking each one if they’d like to pet her dog Gabby; then, picking Gabby up in her arms, Jane held her at just the right level for the resident to pet her and talk to her. Jane chatted with the folks, as well. Both dog and owner were relaxed and enjoying their work. Gabby rode the elevator without blinking an eye; then we went into a resident’s room where Jane gently placed Gabby on the person’s bed so Gabby could snuggle up close. The evaluation ran a little extra long… everyone wanted to have a chance to visit with Gabby – and, one thing I tell folks in training is that you never want to leave anyone out – so Gabby happily accommodated the crowd!
Gabby giving a kiss...
The well-trained, well-prepared team of Jane and Gabby passed the evaluation with high honors. Bright Spot Therapy Dogs now has a superb new therapy dog team on-board – and Jane and Gabby will have many wonderful years ahead bringing comfort and caring to the folks they visit back in their hometown of Peru, Maine.
Jane has become a wonderful friend. Someone I can talk “dog talk” to with the click of the send button on my email.
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