Category Archives: therapy dogs

Not pictured – the kid at the rear sorting Micron’s Tail of Wondrous Beauty by shade of coat color.

Nothing too scary, ok? says Micron. I’m of a delicate nature. And not one about cats either. Those give me really weird nightmares. He shudders slightly.  Maybe a story about food?

I’ve got Star Wars: Bounty Hunters for Hire, says the young reader.

That’ll do, Micron agrees.

The big dog prepares himself for another evening of listening to stories at our local Brookville branch of the Dayton Metro Library.  The monthly Paws to Read event where Micron can [cough] work as a Therapy Dog. A reading tutor, of sorts.

As Micron rests with eyes closed, our young friend reads to Micron about Jango Fett and his cloned offspring. As each page is finished, the book is turned so Micron can see the pictures. Look, Micron, says our reader. And Micron does. He opens his eyes and lifts his head to get a clear look. He blinks, but doesn’t put his head down until the book is turned away. He does this every time.

The dog has a gift for this work.

A good group of kids this evening, we have six readers to share the dog with. All are at different reading levels, but Micron doesn’t notice this. He pays no mind when a word is sounded out by syllable or during the occasional pauses as the reader takes a moment for comprehension of the story. Micron doesn’t care a cat’s whisker about reading skills. His reasons for being here are as pure as only a dog’s can be.

He just wants to be near the kids. To be quietly among their presence and enjoy them.



Hey, I just met you and this is crazy, but . . .

Always a good idea to let everyone settle for a couple of minutes to get to know each other a little before getting things started. Micron is introduced to the readers with a short bio and his job description. Once again I find myself in that warm glow of being so proud of this fellow and his chosen vocation. This is absolutely where this dog should be, I know it and . . . Ack! Micron! Leave it!

Oh my. Love at first sight for my obviously myopic dog. Micron is entranced by a pair of furry boots. Well, only the left one, really. It must have more personality or something.

This calls for a dog cookie distraction . . . and he’s back. Alrighty, time to get things started here.

And so our young readers select an interesting looking book from the selection the children’s librarian has set out on display for them. They sit and crack open their chosen tome as Micron relaxes into his favorite story listening position. Which is pretty much just being prone. He says this is intended as a non-intimidating posture to relax the kids.  I say I wonder if I should hold a mirror up to his nose to see if he’s still breathing.

Just relax, my young reader friend.

Over the next hour we learn about interstellar bounty hunters, follow along with adventures of brave woodland critters, and laugh out loud at a funny story of a very silly squirrel. And Micron listens to every word.  His eyes are closed, but he’s not asleep.  He very much looks like he’s enjoying the experience.

You can tell here that he’s fully engaged. Because for one thing, he’s not snoring. A tell tale sign that he’s outa here, mentally speaking. And also because he has one paw firmly on the reader to keep going.  Tell me more.

That belly rub going on there is just a job perk.

Micron insists that this is indeed work. It must be, because he leaves totally exhausted and that’s what work does, right? Well, if you’re doing it right anyway.

It takes a lot to be this engaging, Food Lady. he tells me. I mean, I have to stay awake the whole time and stuff.  

Do what you love, they say, and you’ll never work a day in your life.

And you know what? If I ever doubted that before, I now know it to be true.

Our mighty Micron is proof. I can honestly say this dog has never worked a day in his life.

[gasp] Our children would be . . . Gorgeous!

So, asks Micron, when’s this new puppy thing getting here anyway?

Really, Micron? I’m so glad you’re showing interest now, I said. I thought you were rather lukewarm on this puppy situation. What changed your mind?

Seriously, says Micron   When *is* that puppy gonna show up?

Because you’re obviously getting low on blog fodder. As I raise the camera again to focus, Micron knocks the Christmas head boppers off with a left paw and begins chewing on them. I’m tired of you telling me to [chomp chew] do something “interesting” so you can write about it. I’m not a trained seal, you know. To add emphasis to this point, he drops heavily to the ground making a flump sound.

Of course you’re not, I say. You’re a highly trained, um, family pet. Ok big guy, I admit I’ve been putting  a lot pressure on you over these past few weeks while we await Euka II in all her adorableness. . . .

I’m adorable, says Micron.

Right, I say. You are indeed my snickerdoodle.  All 85 pounds of you are nuthin but sugary sweetness. Ah, except when you get wet, then we’re dealing with more of a mushroom soup sensory experience.

Yep, I’m like a cinnamon and sugar-coated, wait . . . what? Mushroom soup? I do not smell like mushroom soup, says Micron. Well, maybe.  But that’s food so that’s good too, right?

Sure it is, my love. I say.  Look, let me give you a break this week. I’ve been talking with the family of one of your littermates, Madden. They tell me he’s now certified in Pet Therapy just like you are.  But with a different organization than Miami Valley Pet Therapy, since Madden lives on the East Coast.

I remember my brother Madden, says Micron. A squint as he tries to picture him.  He’s a great guy and all but he’s kinda, well, different.

I think the word you really mean is “unique”, I correct him. Until your M litter came around I never saw a brindled Lab/golden coat before. He is the most striking dog I think I’ve ever seen.

[cough] says Micron. A tiny jingle bell rolls from his mouth.

Oh! Ok, let me be specific here. I attempt to clarify. Madden is the most striking brindle-coated Lab/golden cross that I have ever seen. Obviously the good looks run with wild abandon throughout the M litter.

Well, says Micron, tossing his head, it’s not like we have a switch so we can just turn off The Handsome or something, you know. It’s on all the time. 

Oh, I know. I say, rolling my eyes at him. Anyway, here’s Madden’s story as shared by his family, David and Regina. It seems you two handsome boys have more in common that just being a couple of irresistible chick magnets. The waters run deep here.

I’m thirsty, says Micron.

[sigh] I say.

Madden, in all his gorgeous glory.  I see the family resemblance, says Micron.

Madden – from the most beautiful litter in CCI history. Some of us were lucky enough to raise one of these sweet M’s. We had high hopes for Madden before turning him back to CCI for advanced training. But Madden decided it was not the life for him, so he came back to join us as a pet.

But we sensed he really did want a job to do . . . just not be a service dog. So we joined Creature Comfort Pet Therapy which a fellow CCI puppy raiser Joan Baer created with Annie Murphy. Madden and I have been doing pet therapy and he just gets better and better each visit. Though not effusive, he just nestles into people and lets them know he is there for them.

He brings such joy. He has truly found his niche in life. Good boy Maddaroo.

-David & Regina