ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY

MAXIMILLIAN d’ARAGON (“Max”)

[From Ann Leigh’s Starlight Kennels]

     There are few dogs who are less likely to become an Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) dog than the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.  The first rule is “Dog must be bathed within 24 hours of visiting a hospital”.  We all know that our beautiful Wheaties clean up nice but are thoroughly happy to promptly dismantle themselves, scampering through mud to chase a squirrel, or rolling end over end in morning grass wet with dew.

     So, my long-time dream of becoming a volunteer therapy dog handler was not exactly well thought out when I called Ann Leigh begging for help in finding a Wheaten Terrier.  Ann, smartly certain that new owners have little idea of what they are getting themselves into, cheerily explained she knew of no puppies available, now or in the near future.  After half a dozen or more calls, Ann casually mentioned that if we (Audie & I) wanted to “drop by”, she would talk to us about the breed.  Given that Ann was living in Bell Canyon, over an hour’s drive from us, it wasn’t very likely we’d ever be in the neighborhood.  But, on a hunch, I asked Audie to wash the car, look sharp & figure out how to get to Bell Canyon.

     We arrived at Ann & Sam’s beautiful home, and entered, offering flowers as a gracious gesture, only to see two bubbly litters of puppies, one group all dolled up with colorful ribbon collars, the other still nursing.  Ann, as usual, was busy everywhere.  We followed Ann, marveling at her energy and staring at one gorgeous pup after another.  She chatted us up as she moved about and, after a while and without a hint, pointed to one:  “If you want Blue Boy, he’s available.”  Audie started to ask about different puppies completely unaware that Ann had quietly determined we would be acceptable adoption parents.  But I had researched every book, blog and relevant web page and knew we had just hit the Wheaten lottery:  an Ann Leigh puppy!  “Yes, he’s perfect”, I said calmly, betraying my inner squeal of delight!

     A few weeks later, Ann decided Blue Boy was ready to leave.  When we arrived to sign the puppy-equivalent of adoption papers, Ann patiently answered every question, clearly aware that she had just placed her puppy with another over-bearing, nervous mother who would spend the next year calling to ask about every poopy, sneeze, and urped up mess of flowers & grass.  I’m certain if Ann knew my true hope for me and Max, an Animal Assisted Therapy dog team, she would have staged an intervention.

     Completely ignorant to the ways of a happy Wheatie, I had plans to start training as soon as possible; Max had plans to play, jump, and show off forever.  Still, undeterred, I waited a few months and THEN enrolled us in a basic obedience training class.  Max had a great time ignoring commands, sniffing other  obedient pups, and pulling me everywhere.  Not surprising, Max & I stood out as the only puppy team to fail the class.