Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives

Today Shelby did her first Pet Assisted Therapy Visit, and it went extremely well.

Shelby and I got to the retirement home at 9AM and walked through the front doors, signed in and headed towards the day room. Penny, Charlie and I have been visiting here for a little over 3 years and since this is our normal visitation day, the folks were expecting Penny and Charlie. Instead, they got to meet Shelby, you heard the normal, Oh my's, and, look, she only has 3 legs!

 My habit is to start at the one of the tables towards the back of the room and work our way to the front. We went around introducing Shelby to her new friends. There were folks on walkers, in wheel chairs, on scooters, canes and those that could walk without assistance. They loved Shelby and she loved them right back. She wasn't intimidated by the chairs, scooters or walkers. When Les came down, he always brings enough treats for Penny and Charlie, only this time, there was only one dog. So guess what, Shelby got twice the treats! Les has a "Granddog" that he doesn't get to see to often, so he spoils our kids.

Our normal visit is one hour, today Shelby and I were there for 90 minutes. I was so proud of her today and as many of you have said before, she is going to make a great therapy dog. We have one more class to take, which we'll do in 2 weeks, then we'll certified to start visiting Memorial Hospital here in Santa Rosa. 

 Five months ago Shelby was in an animal clinic in Taiwan, where she had been taken to be put down because nobody would adopt a crippled dog. Today that crippled little dog brought a whole bunch of love, kisses and smiles to about 20 Seniors and her Mom and Dad.