Zoé might look like a pampered purse Poodle, but she is a serious entertainer with a lot of adoring fans. Three year old Zoé performs as a therapy dog at nursing homes in Danville, Illinois.
She has a variety of fashionable outfits like this gingham dress, bow, and sunglasses and her own hair dresser. Oh, like your favorite performer doesn’t.
Zoe is all business when she comes to work. She jumps hurdles and hoops, twirls, bumps balloons with her nose and “gives five” to her owner Sheri Cole. Then Sheri carries her around to meet her adoring admirers who treat her like a rock star.
One time, a woman who hadn’t spoken for 18 months reached out to Zoé and said “Fifi.” Also, there’s a man who thinks Zoé is his poodle, Joe.
A therapy dog in a nursing home brings back memories of the residents’ own pets, and that brightens their days, Cole said.
A therapy dog in a nursing home brings back memories of the residents’ own pets, and that brightens their days, Cole said.
Zoé is a Canine Good Citizen with ribbons in obedience as big as she is. The story
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Therapy dogs do a great service for folks who can't have their own pet with them. Pets make such a difference!
Posted by: jan's funny farm | June 29, 2009 at 05:19 PM
That's great! My brother had a yellow Lab (Rocky) who was a therapy dog, and visited the psychiatric hospital here in town. Many of the patients would talk to Rocky who had never spoken to a person. I applied to have Lisa certified as a therapy dog, but the examiner said she was "too friendly". She does have a persistent habit of jumping up into the lap of any stranger who happens to be sitting down. That's usually ok with people (she only weighs 8 lb, after all), but I understood why it could be frightening for someone who wasn't expecting it, especially an elderly person. Also, she displays extreme intelligence by not liking children. Oh well; she still does her pub therapy on a regular basis.
Posted by: Steve Bartlett | June 29, 2009 at 06:12 PM
I know I have commented in the past that one of the most rewarding things I did as a nurse was start a pet therapy program in the TCU I managed. Before that I simply covertly brought in terminal patient's pets...Zoe is adorable. I would love to go to the mall with her.
Posted by: rosemary | June 29, 2009 at 06:23 PM
They need some Siberian fur to liven up the place!
Tank woo fur sharing Zoe's special talents!
AND tank woo fur your GOLDEN words of support fur Laska!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: It was nice of woo to offer your khat to lure him out - we'll keep that one open fur future reskhues!
Posted by: Khyra | June 29, 2009 at 06:56 PM
dogs have healing magic
Posted by: jackie | June 29, 2009 at 09:05 PM
What a sweetie doing such a great job, now she's a true celebrity
Posted by: Tony | June 30, 2009 at 02:37 AM
Hay she looks lyk me, kan yoo send her to Tasmania so she kan be my frend
Posted by: Dixie The Poodle | June 30, 2009 at 02:38 AM
I once did pet therapy visits through our local humane society. These animals work magic. Zoe is one very cute little girl. Love her outfit. :-)
Posted by: Col | June 30, 2009 at 07:47 AM
I've dreamed of having a therapy dog, but my current poodle would patty cake the patients to death. Don't think that would be very theraputic.
Posted by: Lynne | June 30, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Therapy dog owners are just the greatest people!!!! Thank you for what you do!
Posted by: Jimmy | June 30, 2009 at 06:09 PM
That brought tears to my eyes. Great story.
Posted by: pam | June 30, 2009 at 09:01 PM
Brutus, Rufus and Zeus are therapy dogs... its a great thing for the residents and staff alike to break up the monotony of the day and have a special visitor.
Posted by: Saint Lover | July 05, 2009 at 03:35 PM