Featured Animal Assisted Therapy Dog

Please Note: The dog in the accompanying photograph is the subject of the story, but the person pictured is probably not the patient in the story.

My name is Joy, and I want to tell you a little bit about a day in my life as a therapy dog. One morning I leave home for what I think is a standard grooming appointment. However, I return with a lot less fur. I felt so exposed and cheap, but I will admit I was cooler. Well, a week later I peek into a bush, and you’ll never guess what happened. I got "skunked" right between the eyes.

A couple more days go by when my dad and sister leave home without my mommy and me. I found this to be very odd. They return much later with a four-legged fur child named Bliss. Bliss likes to play and bite and jump on me! So let’s just say she caused my two nasty hot spots which took a really long time to heal. Oh, and another thing -- the cone I wore to protect my hot spots became Bliss's personal toy, and that’s while I was wearing it. Isn’t she a silly dog?

All things considered, I know I am the luckiest dog in the world especially when I visit patients in the hospital and hear them say, "Oh, joy. Joy is here." I love my job bringing smiles to those I visit, and for me that is truly bliss.

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