Bro

by Kate

Bro is a very handsome and laid back Golden Retriever, actually more red than golden. He has been a therapy dog for four of his six years and hopefully for many more to come.

I knew from the first day I met Bro that he was going to be a very special dog, but I really didn’t know how special. We had the difficult task of picking a puppy from two litters of six, but Bro made it easy for us. There he was in a pen surrounded by tumbling, biting brothers, sisters and cousins-sitting quietly off in a corner just watching the antics of the others, so dignified and very cool. Needless to say, it was love at first sight.

Bro leads a very busy dog life. He loves exercise and the outdoors so he has a long morning and evening run which keeps him in good shape as food is a major love of his life. In between runs, he plays non-stop with his “odd couple” dog pal, Clark the Boston terrier. They are inseparable.

Two days a week Bro goes to work as an OTD and he takes his jobs very seriously. When I bring out the grooming kit and put on his special collar and scarf, Bro becomes very excited and focused and can’t wait to get in the car.

For three years we have been visiting Centre de transition communautaire which is a day program run by OCAPDD for thirty or so adults with developmental disabilities. At first Bro was a little intimidated by the noise and activity at the Centre, likewise the clients by Bro’s sheer size and gigantic paws. Over time the most timid and non-verbal people have been won over by Bro’s gentle approach and soft chocolate eyes, and his tail never stops thumping on the floor. Just recently we had a breakthrough with an autistic man who was terrified by Bro for the first year and ran away when we arrived. This year he tentatively touched Bro, never looking at either of us, then one day asked to hold Bro’s second leash and took us for a (fast!) walk around the centre. We were all amazed.

Bro works hard at his job and is very tired on the way home. Some people at the Centre just want to hug Bro, others take him for a walk and are learning simple commands. Occasionally, I take his brush and he is groomed over and over again. Such a patient guy. One particular challenge for both Bro and me is that the staff and clients at the centre are francophone and we are not. I am challenged to practice my very bad French and Bro is now a bilingual pup.

Bro is also a R.E.A.D.® dog, which doesn’t mean he can read-although I do my best perpetuate the myth! He listens as Grade 2 students (who have reading challenges) read to him and I am there to encouragement and support. However, Bro provides much more than a listening ear: he is a non-judgemental friend who always welcomes tight hugs and is a soft, warm, hairy pillow to lie on. The biggest challenge I have is keeping Bro awake as he slowly slides into a snore. I tell the kids that it is so relaxing to be read to, just like their parents reading a night time story!

For both Bro and me, volunteering with OTD has been a perfect fit. I began my teaching career as a special education teacher then moved to early and adult basic literacy in later years. Bro’s gentle, patient and people loving personality make him a natural for the work that he does in the community. If dogs could speak, I think both Bro and I would agree that we feel very lucky, useful and valued in our OTD work.