Sadly this last week my loyal companion and therapy co-partner of 12 years passed away. “Bumps” was a certified Social Therapy Dog that contributed more to my practice than my experience and degree ever could. Bumps understood what every person needed and when they need it, including those who did not want to interact with him very much. I learned a great deal through watching his quiet, gentle, knowing manner. Bumps worked within my private practice, within schools and also residential treatment centers. He loved people of all ages, but thrived on the energy and interaction of children and adolescents. Through my years working with Bumps I learned of the importance and comfort an animal gives a client. I have had many client’s express how they would never have come to therapy had a dog not been present.

Knowing that Bump’s time here on earth was coming to an end and the importance of having a dog in my practice, a couple months ago, another sweet therapy dog entered into my world. Meet Gustav “Gus”.