Filling in the gaps
Assessment and training24 total reviews
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for sharing this journey with us. I enjoyed reading. Sunny is amazing. Give him a huge hug from me.
I had to be trained to sit or lie on a rug and stay there for as long as she chose (Harley does great except for the stay part. He doesn't do well with stay. LOL)
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Thank you for sharing this journey with us. I enjoyed reading. Sunny is amazing. Give him a huge hug from me.
I had to be trained to sit or lie on a rug and stay there for as long as she chose (Harley does great except for the stay part. He doesn't do well with stay. LOL)
Comment Written 15-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Yes, that was a difficult one for Sunny too. He's very curious, and likes to know what is going on. At the disability centre, he liked to check up on other clients and also walk around to see how the other dogs were doing. Thanks so much for this lovely review.
Wendy
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
Ah so Sunny is lying on a bluey in the picture! This is a very informative and interesting account of life as a therapy dog seen through the eyes of Sunny. I knew nothing about the assessment stage but, having owned dogs for most of my life, I'm amazed by how calm and intelligent Sunny proved himself to be at his very first interview. I can only imagine what joy he brings to the patients, especially when wheeled ceremoniously around in his pram! This is a heart-warming read, Wendy. Thank you for sharing. Debbie
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Ah so Sunny is lying on a bluey in the picture! This is a very informative and interesting account of life as a therapy dog seen through the eyes of Sunny. I knew nothing about the assessment stage but, having owned dogs for most of my life, I'm amazed by how calm and intelligent Sunny proved himself to be at his very first interview. I can only imagine what joy he brings to the patients, especially when wheeled ceremoniously around in his pram! This is a heart-warming read, Wendy. Thank you for sharing. Debbie
Comment Written 15-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Yes, that's him. Thank you so much for this lovely review, and for the thoughtful gift of six stars, appreciated by both of us. He loves his work, and he knows many of the regular patients. We were outside the hospital one day, and an ex-patient approached. Sunny went straight over to him for a pat. (The sad thing was that this man was waiting for his wife to finish her treatment. She'd neglected her follow-up checks while she was looking after him, and her own cancer had returned!) Thanks again for the extra star.
Wendy
Comment from Mintybee
This was really fun and informative. I love how you used the dog's POV. That put a creative spin on the story that worked really well. I enjoyed reading about how well the training went and how therapy dogs do their jobs.
Mintybee
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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This was really fun and informative. I love how you used the dog's POV. That put a creative spin on the story that worked really well. I enjoyed reading about how well the training went and how therapy dogs do their jobs.
Mintybee
Comment Written 15-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Thank you so much, Mintybee, for your wonderful and kind review with six stars. Sunny is thrilled too, and we both thank you for the stars and the lovely words.
Wendy
Comment from Marilyn Hamilton
This was so interesting. I have always wondered how they got dogs to handle the hospital setting with all the strangers touching them. It obviously can't be just any dog and I'm sure many breeds are out just by their nature. Sunny is precious. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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This was so interesting. I have always wondered how they got dogs to handle the hospital setting with all the strangers touching them. It obviously can't be just any dog and I'm sure many breeds are out just by their nature. Sunny is precious. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 15-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Yes, certain breeds are unacceptable for training because they look (and sometimes have a reputation for being) too ferocious and inspire fear rather than warmth. Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review.
Wendy
Comment from GWHARGIS
I knew there was a lot of training and protocol to go through, but I had no idea how much. I think you and Sunny are an amazing team. Both giving of your time for others. I'm sure you see how y'all make people happy, but as someone from the outside looking in, this is what being Christian is all about. Giving of oneself to others. Beautifully written, Wendy. Gretchen
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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I knew there was a lot of training and protocol to go through, but I had no idea how much. I think you and Sunny are an amazing team. Both giving of your time for others. I'm sure you see how y'all make people happy, but as someone from the outside looking in, this is what being Christian is all about. Giving of oneself to others. Beautifully written, Wendy. Gretchen
Comment Written 15-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Thanks so much Gretchen. Sunny is delighted with your review of his writing and so am I! We both appreciate the six stars very much. Yes, there are lots of protocols, but they help everything to work smoothly, safely, and effectively for dogs and patients, and for staff (who are always just as excited as their patients!) Thank you again.
Wendy
Comment from Rachelle Allen
Wow!! Sunny, you are amazing - and your mama is, as well. You are a perfect team. I can imagine you in a pram, and it lights up my heart. What an important service of love you are doing every day of your life, you sweet, fabulous dog! I loved learning all about how you came to be doing this vastly important job. Thank you for doing it so well. xoxoxo
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Wow!! Sunny, you are amazing - and your mama is, as well. You are a perfect team. I can imagine you in a pram, and it lights up my heart. What an important service of love you are doing every day of your life, you sweet, fabulous dog! I loved learning all about how you came to be doing this vastly important job. Thank you for doing it so well. xoxoxo
Comment Written 15-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Thanks so much Rachelle! Sunny is thrilled with your kind words, or he would be if he was awake. He woke me early then he went back to his bed! Love your encouraging review.
Wendy
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I loved Sunny's story!! It was greatly informative without being dry and/or dull. that's a fine line to walk.
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Is there no end to yours or Sunny's mercy? I feel like I reading another tale where Christ waltz along the Damascus trail finding people to succor. You are a fine disciple, and dog ain't any less.
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Is there no end to yours or Sunny's mercy? I feel like I reading another tale where Christ waltz along the Damascus trail finding people to succor. You are a fine disciple, and dog ain't any less.
Comment Written 15-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Thanks so much Tom. We just both enjoy this "work" of being nice to people, and getting double the happiness back! We both appreciate your review as well.
Wendy
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
You mentioned Jonathan, and I realized I hadn't asked about him in a while. How is he doing?
Wow! That is a lot of intricate training for little Sunny. He truly is a smart little dog to be able to learn all the ins and outs of greeting other dogs.
Sunny, you are a very good boy and you are doing a bang-up job of comforting those in need. And there are a lot of people in need. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Virtual pats:-)
xo
Pam
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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You mentioned Jonathan, and I realized I hadn't asked about him in a while. How is he doing?
Wow! That is a lot of intricate training for little Sunny. He truly is a smart little dog to be able to learn all the ins and outs of greeting other dogs.
Sunny, you are a very good boy and you are doing a bang-up job of comforting those in need. And there are a lot of people in need. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Virtual pats:-)
xo
Pam
Comment Written 15-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Thank you for remembering about Jonathan. He is doing very well at present. We haven't seen him for a few weeks because my husband has had Covid twice and I 've had it once in the last nonth, and now I have a heavy cold. So we'll wait another week or so, to make sure. Sunny appreciates all the virtual pats, and we both thank you for your very kind and encouraging review.
Wendy
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Oh, dear, I'm so sorry you've been so sick. I've heard from many people that Covid is back. When we fly this week, I have masks to wear on the plane and will wash my hands a lot.
Be well:-)
Comment from Begin Again
Sunny, I am so proud of you and what a excellent and fast learner you are. You have a very big heart and are doing a wonderful job. You should be proud of what you do and of your Mama. She has a wonderful heart as well! The two of you give of yourselves, something many forget to do anymore. A job well done~
Smiles, Carol
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Sunny, I am so proud of you and what a excellent and fast learner you are. You have a very big heart and are doing a wonderful job. You should be proud of what you do and of your Mama. She has a wonderful heart as well! The two of you give of yourselves, something many forget to do anymore. A job well done~
Smiles, Carol
Comment Written 15-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Thank you so much Carol. We are both delighted to receive six stars - it's an honour. We both appreciate your very kind and encouraging words.
Wendy
Comment from iDri.Luv.Jesus
*Omg, Honey is so adorable, so smart, and so everything else too! So blessed and happy for you both have found each other! I know that having dog as a pet is the most comforting and alive. At one point, I used to have adopted four of them, three gone to heaven, and one tough sweet cookies is still youthful at 135 dog aged, lol, haha, say the proud mama because I was her third owner, and she choice to stick with me like a crazy glue. I luv my fur baby so much! Thank you for writing about the therapy dog training, and how's amazing animals can be; especially, Honey + I luv her name too! :), hope your story win!
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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*Omg, Honey is so adorable, so smart, and so everything else too! So blessed and happy for you both have found each other! I know that having dog as a pet is the most comforting and alive. At one point, I used to have adopted four of them, three gone to heaven, and one tough sweet cookies is still youthful at 135 dog aged, lol, haha, say the proud mama because I was her third owner, and she choice to stick with me like a crazy glue. I luv my fur baby so much! Thank you for writing about the therapy dog training, and how's amazing animals can be; especially, Honey + I luv her name too! :), hope your story win!
Comment Written 15-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 15-Jul-2024
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Thank you so much for a lovely review and for sharing about your own dogs. I am honoured to receive six stars. Thank you so much.
Wendy