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• watch the movie about his award •
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Takoda is a 5 year old Shiloh Shepherd, who is a loving, and smart, with a great personality and a stable temperament. He is a big dog with an even bigger heart. His name “Takoda” is Native American and it means “Friend to Everyone”. He lives up to that name everyday. He loves everyone he meets, adults, kids, and other animals. I was blessed the day Takoda came into my life at 8 weeks of age. He is my friend, my soulmate and constant companion.
I showed Takoda for 3 years, and he earned many championships and titles, but I knew this special dog had more to offer the world, than being in the show ring. I wanted him to touch other people’s life, like he touched mine. With his kind and loving personality, I just knew the thing I had to do was get him therapy dog certified. He passed the test with flying colors 2 years ago, and we’ve been doing 2-4 therapy visits a week, and loving every moment of every visit. He just lights up when we enter a nursing home/rehab center/assisted living facility. He is a natural and was born to do this job. The patients just love when he visits, and the smiles on their faces, make me proud and happy that I’m able to share my special dog with all of them. Even though he’s a very large dog (120 lbs.) he is gentle and caring with each patient. Some visits he’ll perform some of his “freestyle” dog dancing moves to the joy of all the patients. He also likes to share his goofy side, by making funny noises and “talking” to them. One of his favorite things to do is pose for individual pictures with the patients on special holidays. One Christmas he posed for 25 pictures. He was “smiling” happily throughout the photo session. Through our 2 years of therapy visits, we have made many special friends. We know the patients by name, and celebrate birthdays and milestones with them. On one memorable visit at a nursing home, an older gentleman was sitting in his wheelchair and was bent over sobbing. I said “Mike, look who’s here?” Takoda gently placed his head on Mike’s lap and licked his face. Mike picked up his head and a smile quickly spread across his face. Takoda sat patiently while Mike stroked his head, with that smile still on his face. Most of our visits are once or twice a month, but we go once a week to a rehab center for the developmentally challenged/severely handicapped. There are all age levels and many different injuries. We love visiting all our friends there, but one particular young man formed a special bond with Takoda. This young man (24) was seriously hurt in a snow boarding accident. He spends most of his time in a wheelchair, and could only walk with the assistance of a physical therapist. One day when he was walking with his PT, he asked if he could “walk” Takoda. I handed him the leash, but held on to the collar, because Takoda never did anything like this before. Well, once again, Takoda seemed to know what to do, he walked slowly while the young man walked behind. We made it around the PT room 2 times and he was thrilled. We did this every week for a month, then the PT gave the young man a cane, and Takoda and he walked again. Even though I stay near Takoda, I don’t have to hold on to his collar anymore. He knows exactly what to do. He walks slowly while the young man walks, when Takoda feels a tug he stops till Danny catches up. When he feels the slack, Takoda starts walking again. This young man is so happy and so are the PT’s that Takoda has helped him walk almost on his own. These are only two of the many special therapy visits Takoda and I have been on and will continue to do. I am very proud of Takoda and the lives that he’s touched.
Takoda has another job. He volunteers as the “geese police” in our town. It happened by accident one morning in April while we were walking past a football field. There was about 30 geese on the field, and I remembered the town complaining how the geese dirty up the field, so I unleashed him and he ran full speed at the geese. When they saw him coming, they flew away. We did that every morning, and slowly the 30 geese dwindled down to 6. The field was geese free for the summer concert series this summer. The town was thrilled that they didn’t have to “clean” the field anymore before games or the concerts. Takoda also saved the town hundreds of dollars. We continue checking on the field every morning to keep the field geese free.
Takoda and I also participate in many charity walks to raise money for animal shelters and human causes. He also has filmed a television commercial for a new doggie product that is scheduled to air on an infomercial.
Takoda also loves to go for long walks/hikes, play ball and Frisbee, play with his dog friends, and spend time with me. He is a well-rounded, well socialized dog, that I’m very, very proud of. I was truly blessed when he came into my life, and I’m thankful for him everyday. |
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Awards & News Articles
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• 2008 NJ Veterinary Association Therapy Hall of Fame Winner
• Gone To The Dogs, Hanover Eagle, March 2008
• Read more about Takoda's Therapy work on his News Blog |
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