Tribute to Former TDV Dogs
| Cheyenne | Cheyenne was one of the early Therapy Dogs working with Lily, Jordan, Gracie, Riley and Sam at Fletcher Allen Health Care. As a border collie, Cheyenne was always willing to play fetch or jump through her hoop to entertain and comfort the many children and adults we visited over the years. She had a special knack for engaging children and drawing them out of their rooms to play with her and help them forget for a while about their illness. My enthusiastic, willing-to-please Cheyenne touched many young lives. I remember even many years after she retired from “active” TDV duty, we received special requests from young patients in the Pediatric ward for Cheyenne to visit them. Cheyenne was my first dog and my soul-mate. We spent 16 years together and I will always remember her unique spirit and incredible intellect. We shared a special bond that I will always cherish. - Linda |
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| Khese | We remember Khese as an remarkable, intuitive therapy dog who gravitated to terminally ill children, befriending them and making them her special little people. In her years as a therapy dog at FAHC Pediatrics, she comforted and said goodbye to many such children. Those who knew her also joked about her tendency to seek out those people most others avoided-the homeless, the mentally ill, those in trouble with the law; she loved anyone in handcuffs and could win over even the most hardened, tattooed, angry individual. Her intelligence, personality, and spirit enriched our lives in so many ways, every day of her life. Though there is a hole in our hearts because of her passing, we are comforted that she has been freed from a body that could no longer contain her tremendous spirit. - Deb, Tom, & Isa |
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| Tucker | Family member, companion, and friend, Tucker loved the humans in his world and was polite, but less interested in the dogs and cats he met. He barked only when it was really important, like when a bear crossed our property or a deer was eating our flowers. Tucker loved the good life of running through the woods and fields, riding in boats, swimming, and visiting neighbors. His weekdays were filled with going to work with his human dad, Gary, and he excelled at his job of keeping the rug flat and the floor clean. Tucker joined Therapy Dogs of Vermont during his senior years and adored giving his doggy love to children, human seniors, and folks who were ill. When he passed away at almost 13 on March 9th, 2009, he was days from beginning his TDV career at Fanny Allen Hospital. In less than a minute after having a seizure, Tucker left this world with the same grace, compassion, and love with which he lived in it, sparing us the agony of watching him suffer or having to put him down. We are eternally grateful for the joy he gave us and the many other folks whose lives he touched. - Valerie and Gary Smith |
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| Cali | We were all very lucky to have had her in our lives for the time that we did. She was a smart, loving, patient and almost 'human-like' golden retriever who will remain in the hearts of many for years to come. You hear all the time that you can learn something from your dog, for us it was unconditional love. What would the world be like if we all practiced that? -Deana & John Rock |
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Buckles
| Buckles joined her doggy sister, Dory, in Heaven in December of this past year, after a long battle with cancer. Buckles was an amazing family member and a kind and loving therapy dog. She became a TDV member in 2000 and over many years visited folks at Fletcher Allen, as well as my students at Chittenden East and Chittenden South School Districts. We, her human family, and her doggy sisters (Marina and new puppy, Rody) miss her with all our hearts, but know that she is romping eternally with her sister Dory. – Amanda Spencer
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Dory
| Dory (Bernese Mtn. Dog), who was a certified therapy dog (since 2000!) became an Angel in February. Sadly, she got sick quickly (only four weeks from cancer diagnosis to euthanasia). It was very very sad, but we are beginning to recover from the shock of losing her. For those who knew Dory, and those who did not, she was an amazing dog ~ kind, loving, calm and smart (a perfect combination for her work as a therapy dog over the years). HerTDV career brought her many times, over the years, to FAHC, as well as both the Chittenden South and Chittenden East School Districts.
She is missed by her human family and her fabulous doggy sisters, Buckles and Marina (also therapy dogs). – Amanda Spencer
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| Lacey | Lacey was a therapy dog at Converse Home for many years. Every Saturday she visited, and when one of her friends there was in hospital or rehab, she visited them there, too. Recently, it was her turn to need comfort. She had emergency surgery on a Thursday, and went to the vet for a check-up the following Saturday. We asked the vet if she thought it would be ok for Lacey to visit Converse Home, as usual, and she said it would be ok. When we arrived, Lacey stayed in the van and her friends came out to see her. Gail spent some quiet time with her, and Connie climbed right in the van beside Lacey and gave her the special back and tummy rub. Everyone fought back tears, wished Lacey courage, and told her how loved she is, and that she is in everyone's prayers. They reminded Lacey that she is their Hometown Hero, now and forever!
The next three Saturdays, Lacey joined her friends in the parlor before lunch. We told funny stories about Lacey, and gave her lots of hugs. Being a Therapy Dog of Vermont was her proudest achievement, and she wore her bandana proudly. – Lea Terhune
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| Cain | I had an experience at the women's prison in Windsor that best describes the work that Cain did. There is this very traumatized and mentally ill young woman who will, in all likelihood, spend many years incarcerated.
She got down on the floor with Cain, put her arms around him and said "Thank you for coming to help us, and most of all, thank you for bringing your magical dog". He did his work taking care of those that no one else wanted to take care of. He touched a lot of lives. – Bill Cote
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| Denali | Denali was always ready to do anything. She loved to swim and would jump off the rocks at The Basin Harbor Club. Loved by patients because of her tricks and of course of her soft landing on invited laps. When I got out (which I never used) a fine gold collar she said 'off to work' I have been blessed with many dogs but none so willing to please. – Sheila Foster |
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| Gracie | Gracie was one of our first TDV dogs and loved by all she met. I remember when we were told that a girl had been bitten by a dog and the mother asked that therapy dogs NOT be allowed to visit her. I took Gracie to the doorway and had her immediately do her tricks.
The mother tried to object, but it was too late. The child watched with great interest as Gracie showed off her stuff and the fear in her ran away. In the end, I scooped Gracie up and brought her cautiously to the girl's bed where she patted her. It was very emotional – Linda Lohner.
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| Lily & Jordan | The founding dogs of TDV were also my best friends. No day goes by when I do not look at their picture, remember, or be reminded of some magic they performed. They will always be in my heart. – Steve Reiman |
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