The exciting news is that on Wednesday, Stanley passed his Pet Partners therapy dog certification at UCLA. Last week, I hinted that he might be testing sometime soon but I didn’t want to jinx it.
ELBEE Hinted? She wasn’t that subtle.
I had an alternative title “Oh No! He Didn’t!” ready just in case but I’m so happy that I didn’t have to use it. Having to retake the test wouldn’t have been the worst thing in the world but this is so much better!
Although I’ve done the test at least ten times (it’s required for each team every two years), I was still nervous. I didn’t know whether the goofy puppy or the good puppy would show up. I needn’t have worried. Stanley was in his element. When you raise diva dogs (yes, I confess) they thrive on undivided attention.
He breezed through the obedience commands, loved it when three people petted him all at once and relaxed for a hug. He barely reacted when someone approached him in a walker yelling, “Can I pet your dog?
ELBEE Hello? I’ve been coaching him for weeks. You know the saying, “Behind every great dog is an even greater dog.”
I almost had to ask myself, “Who is this dog?” Apparently he was oblivious to any of my tension traveling down the leash.
GUS That’s because I showed him how to use yoga breathing to stay calm.
ELBEE To digress for a moment, I had my own stress this week. I was walking with the husband when I ate something on the road that looked delicious. Turns out it was a dead rat and it made me sick. I’m thinking of becoming a vegetarian.
Since Stanley had only met a couple of people at UCLA, I thought what better time for him to make his debut. It’ll be quite awhile before he’s ready to start visiting patients but it was the perfect opportunity to introduce him around and just happen to mention his test results.
We stopped in administration to say hi to Phyllis and to the other women in the office. They had heard about Stanley and seen lots of photos but this was their first official meeting. Stanley did not disappoint. It was love all around.
Then we headed down to the volunteer office. Big and sweet and fluffy, he reminded everyone of the late wonderful Charley. He even did the Charley “lean.”
No matter how any times I test the dogs, there is always such a sense of joy and accomplishment. Anyone who has ever had the privilege of holding the leash of a therapy dog understands what a unique experience it is. Surprisingly, it’s hard for me to find the right words to adequately express my gratitude to Charley, Elbee, Gus and now Stanley. They have led me down a path of purpose and wonder.
