naturalpet
Dogs at Work Finding the Right Dog for the Job by Sandra Murphy E
very dog needs a meaningful job. Like us, some need help figuring out what they want to be when
they grow up; others choose their own specialty. With imagination and exper- imentation, even a problem pooch can became an unexpected blessing.
Comforting Companions A 7-year-old hound and canine-style Houdini named Gumby was adopted seven times, surrendered to the shelter eight times and thrice became a stray. An unprecedented 11 return trips to the Charleston Animal Society, in South Carolina, convinced the staff he prefers shelter life. Now his self-appointed job is comforting and helping new arrivals adjust to their temporary home.
54 NA Triangle
www.natriangle.com Dentist April Patterson owns Dr.
Patty’s Dental Boutique and Spa, in Fort Lauderdale. After attending a local Humane Society fashion show, she returned to her office with Oliver, a four-pound Pomeranian mix of undetermined age. This cutie’s job is to steady nervous patients. “It wasn’t planned,” says Patterson. “Oliver will bark nonstop when left alone, but being one of the staff makes him happy. Meeting Oliver is part of our hiring process.” Dory, a yellow Labrador certified
therapy dog, is approved by the San Diego district attorney’s office to offer aid in court when a victim or witness testifies in front of the defendant. “Dory was the first court support dog
in California and the city’s first of five dog and handler teams,” says Kath- leen Lam, a retired attorney and dog handler. “The dogs undergo rigorous testing to demonstrate good behavior in court. Handlers work on long downs and stays, including hand signals.” Dory recently accompanied an 8-year- old girl testifying against her father; he had killed his wife in front of her two years before.
Public Ambassadors Deemed “too large to sell,” Bert, a chocolate Pomeranian, wound up in an Oklahoma shelter. Kathy Grayson, owner of The Hole, a New York City art gallery, saw his photo on
Petfinder.com and fell in love. She immediately traveled to
Minerva Studio/
Shutterstock.com
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