Emmett’s Special Day celebrated his journey with his therapy dog, Max. The day began with Max eagerly wagging his tail, sensing something special was planned. Friends and family gathered to honor the incredible bond between Emmett and his loyal companion. Max, dressed in a festive bandana, brought smiles to everyone with his calm demeanor and affectionate nature. Together, they played games, shared treats, and enjoyed heartwarming moments highlighting how Max had transformed Emmett’s life. Max was a hero, from comforting him during tough times to boosting his confidence. It was a day filled with love and gratitude!
This past Saturday, Emmett took the test to become a registered therapy dog through the Delta Society, an organization dedicated to “improving human health through service and therapy animals.”
We started training together as a therapy team in September. The training included practicing basic commands like heel, sit, and stay while introducing medically specific distractions such as wheelchairs, walkers, and loud noises. With his big personality, Emmett gets very excited when meeting new people or encountering new situations. While this enthusiasm is an excellent trait for therapy work, it only works if I can manage it. Since September, we’ve focused on keeping him on a loose leash and maintaining his attention on me, even when there are exciting distractions, like objects on the floor or new people entering the room.
