Bruce
Please Note: The dog in the accompanying photograph is the subject of the story, but the child or teenager pictured is probably not the patient in the story.Although he started as a therapy dog at a young age (only a year and a half old) Bruce took to his job with unbridled enthusiasm. At an impressive 125 pounds you would think Bruce might be hard to handle around small kids, who sometimes don’t feel their best, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Bruce is truly a gentle giant. He is the perfect guest, getting up on the bed only when asked, laying down to snuggle with a happy child, taking a walk with kid who needs to get some exercise, or sneaking a kiss to cheer someone up.
Bruce really loves working in the rehab unit. He makes the most wonderful soft furry bolster to use as a starting point for leg lifts and stretching. He also loves to perform tricks for treats or lay perfectly still while he is getting brushed. He loves to work directly with the two therapists to help make the rehab process more fun for everyone involved. To help a kid learn to walk again is a favorite activity. When I watch him play soccer with a child it’s often hard to tell who’s having more fun, Bruce or the child he’s “helping”.
Bruce adores his working days. He is always happy to get in the car, but when we head to the hospital his tail starts wagging blocks away. He leaps into his Love on Four Paws green vest, running to the elevator to get started.
At home Bruce lives with Walter, the therapy cat, and Bobbi, another Newfoundland dog
we adopted to keep Bruce and Walter company. Bobbi just passed her Love On 4 Paws therapy dog test. Now Bruce is looking forward to going to the hospital with Bobbi, so they can be a therapy team! Keep watching for the pair of them.
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