Deb & Wilson's Big Adventure 

It all began when I saw an article in the newspaper about Pet Therapy.

 I had recently acquired a Golden Retriever puppy (Phoebe) as a

Christmas present.  My original intent was to work with Phoebe in this

program.  The Pet Therapy group was having an informational meeting

and so I went.   As I soon discovered, Phoebe was too young to enter

the program.  I learned a great deal that day and as I began to think

about what kind of dog would make a good Pet Therapy animal, my

thoughts turned to a rescued Shih-Tzu we had at home named Wilson. 

This dog had bonded to my husband, but as I observed him and his

gentle nature, I began to evaluate his qualities to determine if he

would make a good Pet Therapy animal.  On a whim, I took him to a mock

evaluation, not knowing how he would react.  He was a trooper.  He

surprised me that day and to be truthful, continues to surprise me all

the time.  I hate to say it, but I worked with him only four or five

times before we went for our final evaluation.  Again, this little dog

surprised me as we both passed the Delta Evaluation.  As it turns out,

he loves to go to work.  He literally bounces off the front door at

home when he knows he is going out.  At 13 pounds, he is small enough

to cuddle and that's where he shines.  If he can get up and sit on a

person's lap, he is in seventh heaven.  I tell people he was born to

do this job.  He's taught me a lot in these few months.  He's more

patient than I ever will be.  The older residents call him my

"Presidential Puppy" and "Woodrow" after President Woodrow Wilson. 

This little dog doesn't mind as long as he has someone to cuddle, he's

happy.  His attitude and his manners have changed a great deal at

home.  He is a different dog than he was just a few short months ago.

 He has his job to do now, and as long as he is willing, Wilson and I

will continue on in "Our Big Adventure."   

What first began as idle curiosity over an article in the newspaper has led me to one of the most rewarding experiences in my life I’ve ever had.  I guess I should start at the beginning in order to tell this story.  Several years ago, a 3-month old Golden Retriever puppy came into my life.  I named her Brandee-Pup .  She was my companion during a dark and stormy part of my life.  Brandee and I were inseparable during the nine years of her life.  I always tell people Brandee would walk on water if I asked her to.  She had a sweet disposition and loved to have her flowing golden coat brushed every night.   Years after her passing, I still thought of her every day.  Then along came Phoebe, another Golden Retriever puppy with a very tender heart and sad brown eyes that melt your heart with one glance.   As I read the newspaper article about dogs being used as therapy in our area, my thoughts reflected back to my Brandee-Pup.   She would have been the perfect dog for this program.  Golden Retrievers are known for their gentle disposition, and Phoebe was no exception.   So with that in mind, I attended an informational meeting.   Knowing literally nothing about the program except what I read in the newspaper, I listened to the dog handlers tell their stories and I was hooked.   There was one small problem.  Phoebe wasn’t old enough to participate.  

 Patience not being one of my strong suits, I began to think about the other dogs I had in my household.  There was Scampetta, a Shih-Tzu with a very strong personality who ruled our household and only liked to be petted on her terms.   I quickly ruled her out.   That left one other dog, another Shih-Tzu that had appeared on our doorstep over a year ago we named Wilson.    We were never sure of Wilson’s background, but in the year he was in our house, we finally convinced him that treats and toys were good things and that nothing bad would ever happen to him as long as he lived in our household.  Wilson had bonded to my husband, but occasionally he would cuddle on my lap.  I began to watch him carefully and mentally evaluate his disposition.  After learning about the program, our group decided to have a trial test walk through.   As a group, we had agreed to let Phoebe participate even though she wasn’t old enough to qualify.  We decided the experience would be good for her.  The testing date came closer and I kept thinking about Wilson.   He had the desired qualities in a therapy dog, but how would he interact with me and the other dogs. 

Nothing ventured.  Nothing gained. 

I snapped a leash on his collar and off we went.  The group was surprised when instead of a 6-month old Golden Retriever puppy, I showed up with a 13-pound Shih-Tzu they never knew existed.    That wasn’t the only surprise of the day.  Wilson shined when we took him through the mock testing.  Nothing bothered him and he seemed totally happy with the whole process.   The only test he didn’t pass was the command “Stay.”  Well no wonder.  I had never taught him to stay.  It wasn’t his fault.  So for the next month, I worked with him and taught him to “stay.”  The rest, as they say, is history.  Wilson and I passed our final exam and now, at least once a week, a rescued Shih-Tzu literally bounces off the front door in anticipation of going to work in the hospitals and long-term care facilities.   Wilson brings a smile to everyone he meets.  He gives kisses on command, tolerates costumes, loves stuffed animals, and responds appropriately to every situation.  Many residents call him “Woodrow” after President Woodrow Wilson.  I describe Wilson to people as my Presidential Pooch who just happens to live not in a white house on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but right here in Rupert, Idaho.