Retired Guide Dog Otto has found his calling as a volunteer Therapy Dog with his puppy raiser, Kathie.
In this 31st episode of Therapy Dog Talk, I chat with Kathie Neyman and her Golden Retriever, Otto. Otto used to be a Guide Dog, but now he loves being a volunteer Therapy Dog with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. We talk about their amazing journey and how they’ve helped many people.
Kathie tells me about her time raising puppies for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind in New York. She also explains how Otto came back to her after being a Guide Dog for a short time. Kathie knew Otto would be a great Therapy Dog because of his natural skills and how he connects with people’s emotions.
During our talk, Kathie shares the different places they volunteer, like Tillman House, Atlanta Speech School, Georgia Tech, Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe, and local schools. She also talks about how they became reading specialists with CAREing Paws and R.E.A.D.
We discuss the heartwarming moments they’ve had while volunteering with Otto and the amazing impact he has on people. Kathie gives advice for anyone interested in dog therapy, saying they should “just go for it.” At the end of our chat, she shares her plans for her husband and their youngest dog to join the volunteer team.
After listening to this episode, you’ll learn a lot about volunteering with a therapy dog, the fun and challenges it brings, and how to get your own furry friend ready for this awesome work.
In this episode, we discuss …
- Why Kathie knew that Otto would enjoy volunteering as a Therapy Dog.
- What it was like to welcome Otto home after his short tenure as a working Guide Dog.
- What the future looks like for Kathie and Otto and their plans for her husband and youngest dog to join them.
Key moments you won’t want to miss:
- [01:35] Kathie talks about raising puppies for the Guide Dog Foundation in New York.
- [01:53] Otto’s short time as a Guide Dog and coming back to Kathie.
- [02:30] Kathie connects with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs through friends Hallie and Buddy.
- [03:40] Kathie and her husband’s experience raising three Golden Retrievers.
- [04:30] Kathie’s feeling that Otto would be a great Therapy Dog.
- [05:13] Otto’s amazing skills and emotional connection as a Therapy Dog.
- [07:58] Becoming reading helpers with CAREing Paws and R.E.A.D.
- [08:29] They volunteer at different places like Tillman House, Atlanta Speech School, Georgia Tech, Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe, and local schools.
- [11:13] Kathie’s advice for people interested in dog therapy: “Just go for it.”
- [11:55] Plans for Kathie’s husband and their youngest dog to join the volunteer team in the future.
I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do. Give it a watch or a listen and then let me know in the community which part you found the most helpful!
Mentioned in this episode:
- Alliance of Therapy Dogs
- Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe
- Atlanta Speach School
- CAREing Paws
- Guide Dog Foundation
- Hallie and Buddy
- Reading Education Assistance Dogs® (R.E.A.D.)®
