Therapy Dog is Hero’s third career

by Jola

This is Hero’s story as it was written for his OTD member profile in 2005. Hero passed away in 2006.

Hero started life as a show dog. At age 5 ½, his show days were over and he was to be destroyed. A Siberian Husky rescue organization grabbed him and he lived in a shelter for 2 ½ years until I found him.

Hero came to live with me in December, 2001. A calm, gentle, beautiful soul, he tore my house apart for six months before he settled in. Freedom was not something he had ever experienced before and he didn't know how to react.

Hero and I failed the therapy dog test the first time, but thanks to encouragement from Catherine Mirsky, our TDI Evaluator, we tried again and passed with flying colours in February 2003.

Hero and I visit at the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre. Once his collar and leash go on, Hero jumps into the car and runs from the parking lot to our ward. He can't do any tricks and he doesn't know how to play. What Hero does is just simply step up to people and let them conduct their own therapy. Hero accepts everything: hugs, pats, conversation, the occasional pull on his tail or ears, and the occasional cookie.

The therapy visits probably do as much good for Hero as they do for the folks we visit. Hero is great at his job, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share this wonderful guy with others. He really is my Hero.