Dena and her tripod Therapy Dog, a Pitbull rescue she named Petey, are helping to teach acceptance.
In this 59th episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I chat with Dena and her inspiring Pitbull rescue named Petey, a tripod Therapy Dog who’s changing lives with his big heart. Together, they’ve completed over 300 therapy dog visits and earned Petey the AKC title of Therapy Dog Excellent. We discuss the importance of a dog’s temperament for therapy work, share a touching story of how Petey helped a child find strength to recover, and talk about why we should treat others with the unconditional love of our dogs.
Dena tells us about Petey’s adoption story, when he was found as a four-month-old puppy on the side of the road, and how his love for therapy work has transformed the lives of many. We also dive into the challenges faced by pit bulls due to misconceptions and legislation, and the importance of educating people about the role of dog owners in their pets’ behavior.
Throughout our conversation, we explore the value of therapy animals in both holistic and traditional medical settings, and how therapy dogs like Petey can make a huge difference in people’s lives. Dena also shares her insights as a certified temperament evaluator, discussing what makes a dog a good fit for therapy work and the common reasons people don’t pass the therapy dog test.
After listening to this episode, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of the incredible work therapy dogs like Petey do, as well as valuable insights on how to prepare your four-legged companion for this rewarding work. Remember to be open-minded, expose children to different people and animals, and always treat others with the same unconditional love that our dogs give us.
In this episode, we discuss …
- What Dena looks for in a dog as a temperament evaluator.
- How Petey helped a child to find strength to recover.
- Why it’s important to treat others with the unconditional love of our dogs.
Key moments you won’t want to miss:
- [00:20] Meet Dena and Petey, a three-legged therapy dog team making a big impact.
- [02:12] Dena tells the touching story of adopting Petey, who was found as a four-month-old puppy on the side of the road.
- [03:11] Petey’s amazing personality and commitment to therapy dog work.
- [04:45] Petey as a role model for special needs pets and Pitbull type dogs, breaking down stereotypes.
- [11:15] What makes a great therapy dog, like a good personality, being willing to work, and handling different situations well.
- [14:59] What therapy dogs need, like being a certain age and having a strong connection with their handler.
- [17:02] The many ways therapy animals help people in both holistic and traditional medical settings.
- [18:50] Understanding and supporting the role of therapy animals in our society.
- [21:40] Dena talks about the importance of taking care of both handlers and therapy dogs to avoid getting too tired.
- [27:00] Supporting rescue and special needs animals, and encouraging open-mindedness and understanding.
I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do. Give it a watch or a listen and then let me know in the community which part you found the most helpful!
Mentioned in this episode:
- AKC Therapy Dog Titles
- Alliance of Therapy Dogs
- Bubbles the Therapy Dog (Petey’s Girlfriend)
- Pete the Pup in The Little Rascals
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Do you know someone who would make a great guest? Be sure to reach out and let me know.
