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Heeling to Heal


Twice a month Cora and I visit a local Alzheimer's unit here in Scottsdale.  When we visit we're representing "divine canines", which is the Therapy dog group out of Austin, TX, where Cora and I first trained together.  Today, Cora exemplified  the motto for the group which is " heel to heal".  We met with a new resident of the unit who was confused and upset with his new surroundings.  His wife of 65yrs was at his side when Cora made her way to them.  I asked him if he would like to take Cora for a walk.  He looked at Cora and said "Yes".  Putting the one side of a double leash in his hand, I asked his wife if we could walk with them.  She was so happy to see her husband holding the leash as we all walked together into the atrium.  We continued walking the halls for the next 15 minutes and as we did our new gentleman friend relaxed and  began talking with his wife about how much he loved animals.  It was just a few minutes, but it meant the world to both of them to share together in something.......a therapy dog.

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