Pet Therapy Dog
Bodhi of the Rockies
I’ve always wanted to have a pet therapy visitation dog but never had a dog with just the right personality. Until Bodhi.
His Puppy Mill Beginning
I adopted Bodhi from Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies (GRRR), where I also volunteer, in November of 2020. He was used as a breeder dog at a puppy mill in Missouri.
I don’t know why the puppy mill sold him at an auction…I only care that that he’s no longer in that horrible place.
When the adoption coordinator called me about Bodhi, I said “no way, I don’t want another mill dog.”
Mill dogs are typically pretty traumatized and have a lot of behavioral problems, sometimes their whole life. My other Golden, Darby, is from a “commercial breeder” (aka puppy mill) and while she’s awesome, is pretty introverted and can be afraid of things, like kids.
I was assured that Bodhi was different. And he is. I think maybe his super friendly personality gave him special privileges at the puppy mill, maybe he wasn’t treated so horribly.
I went to see him at GRRR. He put that big nose in my face and that was it. I was smitten. He had a new home. I brought Darby to meet him and she agreed…he was her new brother and was coming home with us.
Part of the Pack
Mill dogs are rarely adopted to families without another dog. It’s much easier when the current dog can teach them how to be a dog. Darby taught Bodhi things like how to go up and down stairs and how to get into the car to go to the park.
The first night when we went to bed, Bodhi was laying out in the hall. Darby barked a few times and then went out to get him. She said “we sleep in here buddy.” He followed her to the bedroom and we all settled down. Easy.
Bodhi loves everyone he meets. And they love him. It’s an instant connection when Bodhi looks up at people with his beautiful amber eyes. They always remark how awesome he is, and they are right.
I thought he’d love a job where he could love and be loved.
Pet Therapy Program
I got some information about volunteering with the pet therapy program at Littleton Adventist Hospital in Littleton, Colorado. A friend runs the program and another friend volunteers with her dog, Ellie.
I took Bodhi in for an evaluation. They messed with his feet and pulled his fur, and threw loud metal bowls and brought in a wheelchair, but he was pretty nonchalant about all of that; he just loved all the attention. With his handsome looks and wagging tail (it never stops), he passed with flying colors. It didn’t surprise me when they said he was one of the best they’ve ever tested.
We have two on-the-job training sessions soon and then start working solo. I know Bodhi will be a big hit and give a lot of love and joy to patients and staff.
Stay tuned for stories about how Bodhi brings joy to the world.