This is the story of Troy's journey. He was an extremely timid dog who went through training by one of our Kingsley Montgomery students, Loren. He was adopted by a therapist in Florida with the intention of becoming a therapy dog. We greatly appreciate Sandy's patience and understanding of Troy.
Above: Troy with his trainer Loren and co-trainer Hannah.
Troy has been in my life for 10 months. He is a beautiful Chocolate Lab/German Shepard mix who has become my soul mate. Troy is a rescue dog who was found roaming the streets of Detroit. I was fortunate to be able to adopt him. When Troy arrived at my home he was extremely anxious and fearful. He ate through many pillows, furniture legs and shades and armchairs while rearranging any room in which he was confined. Troy is now calm and able to stay with my other two labs if I am gone. But, it was not only anxiety that was tearing him apart. The sight of big men and children who would run and scream toward him, brought a fear out in him that actually raised the fur on his neck and back. My guess is that he was hurt by someone who fits the description of the two I have described.
As a psychologist, I knew that Troy would be a great therapy dog once his fears subsided. I started taking him to the office immediately after his arrival. Because of his anxiety, he would cry and drool all of the way to the office. This went on for about 3 to 4 weeks at which time Troy adjusted, sat in the back seat in the car and gazed out the window. Now, people come into Troy’s life everyday at the office, so the learning process is ongoing. There have been some very big breakthroughs that have brought tears to my eyes, as I watch his guard come down when he approaches people in his sweet way. Never having a German Shepard before, I was unaware of their protective nature. At home, Troy circulates around the yard perimeter checking every movement and noise. When in the house, he does not lay and rest until every corner is searched, sniffed and surveyed. When he has completed his search he places his long, lean body at the front door in front of a small window. At the office, he runs from the front to the back periodically, checking out each and every room. Every person who enters the office examined, while purses, bags and clothing are sniffed by his powerful, curious nose. If the individual passes the inspection, Troy will plop his bottom on their feet and wait for his ears to be scratched. This is the same dog that used to hide in the corner or charge a person with fur up and fear in his eyes.
Troy now accompanies clients to the back of my office and into the session room; he escorts them out when the session is finished. In the interim he learned how to open the session room door, and would walk out during a room to check out the office. After several incidences, one of my clients brought in a present for Troy. Although it was entertaining watching Troy opening and closing the door, not much else could be accomplished. The new doorknob installed brought Troy to a new level. He either had to stay in the room or out. Whether he stayed in the room was dependent on who was in the room and if he was interested in them. To give you an idea of who would keep Troy’s interest, his favorites are women, soft speaking men or anyone who owns an animal. Many times clients bring their animals in for the session. I allow this because it really enhances the therapeutic intervention, and it also brings out other emotions as I observe the clients watching their pets interact with Troy.
Of course there are favorites. Troy loves all dogs; he greets them, wags his tail, bows in a playful position and puts hi paw on the other dog’s back. Troy also talks in his own way. At first, I did not understand his different noises, but now he communicates freely with a play moan, short barks, growls that come from his chest and the cry sound. Troy uses the cry sound when he wants something He also uses the cry sound with a different pitch when he is flirting. I have a
client who brings in her two, female Cavaliers. Troy turns to mush. He stares with big soulful eyes and looks into their faces, make crying sounds and then put his head on the ground so he is close to them on their level Of course, when the paw comes out I go into fast mode to stop him from clomping their little head head. Troy will often lie on the floor and allow them to lick his face and crawl on him. Sweet love. What really takes the cake is when Troy will pick up his chewy bone and will place it your lap. He will do this over and over if you try to give it back to him. In fact, Troy will place his chewy on my lap while I am talking or working on a project, and he will not take it back unless I stop what I am doing and pay attention to him. Special clients get the same treatment, and of course it wins them over every time. Therapy cannot get much better than that.
A special event happened just the other day. I was getting my paperwork together to start a new family in the assessment process. It was rather quiet in the reception room, and I peeked out from my office to see what was going on. Family members were huddled around Troy, speaking to him in soft voices and petting him tenderly. As I approached the group, their heads turned toward me and there was Troy smiling looking up at me also. What makes this incident even more endearing is the fact that the family is Hispanic and they were talking to Troy in Spanish.
Troy has a mentor, Duke, who is my nine-year old yellow lab. Duke has been my assistant for the past 6 years. He was very used to the routine and at first did not like Troy butting in. Troy soon picked up that he could have some clients for himself, and then there were the special ones that Duke took ownership of. Duke and Troy seemed to have worked out their differences. Troy also appears to sense when an individual has a physical impediment. One client in particular, has cerebral palsy. Troy took to him on the very first visit. The young man has told me that he and Troy are the same because they are both different from others.
It was an enormous challenge when I first got Troy, but he is one of a kind. Behind his initial fears and not so friendly behavior, there is a soft, compassionate loving animal. I am determined to give Troy every opportunity to not be different, because he is a rescue dog.
We have a lot of Happy Endings that include formerly unwanted dogs who make it into permanent, loving families. Here is one such story!
Happy Holidays Everybody
My Mom, Molly and I went up north for Christmas and I had the greatest time. We stayed at Aunt Char’s house with her dog Kirby (rat terrier). She has a really big house and 10 acres that we spent a lot of time running around, but I still liked to keep Mom in sight. When we weren’t playing we all napped. Aunt Char taught me how to catch Cheeto’s. Mom brought my bed from home so I would feel safe. Molly and I slept most of the way up and back which really pleased her. Everybody got along great and Kirby even helped Molly and me to learn to play together. While we were there Aunt Char, Mom and Grandma made me a coat that keeps me warm while I’m running in the snow. It’s made from fleece and has bright M & M’s on it. I think I look great in it. Since I just got it I don’t have any pictures, but will send some ASAP. We’re going back up for New Years and I can’t wait. Dad is staying home to work on some projects
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