Eva and I took our first trip to the nursing home with Caring Canines. She passed the test last week and now has three observations before she will be earn her TDI (Therapy Dog International) certification.
Last night, for her first observation, she was wonderful. Eva seem to know that she was working and made sure that she was calm and gentle with everyone she met.
It was beautiful to see the power of animals to bring happiness to people.
One lady was waiting for the dogs at the door. She said she finished her dinner early so she could be the first to see them. She talked about her life and how she was married on Feb. 14 and her husband died in 1955. She never remarried. She carried all her valuables with her dangling from a bag on her walker.
One cool thing when Eva is finished with her observations, and can join Caring Canines, she will get a trading card to give the people we visit. It helps them know who they meet as well as they can collect the cards from all the dogs…. that is so cute! I can’t wait for Eva to get her trading card!
This is so special to me to have such a thoughtful dog. When I got my first dog, Oliver, I wanted to do therapy work with him. He was never going to pass the test… he could hardly go for a walk without causing a disruption. Oliver’s journey with me became more of a test of perseverance than of a working partnership. It is amazing to have a working relationship with a dog like I have with Eva. She just loves to work and please… it is just her nature.
Eva passed the test two years ago but life got too busy and we never did our observations. So this has been a 5 year journey for me to have a dog that can go help people and help bring a smile.
So here is to Eva and all her hard work!
 |
| From Nut and Whiz |
Leave a Reply