Natural 'therapy dogs?'

1408 Views 18 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Brightelf, May 2, 2008

Brightelf

Discussion Starter · Apr 27, 2008

Does anyone have a GSD that is remarkably intuitive, gravitates specificly towards the elderly and infirm, loves everyone, and has no cuddle-limits? Grimm has always sought out the physically and mentally handicapped, and instantly becomes calm, quiet, snuggly, patient. They have free rein with him. One mentally disabled child in our last apartment complex grabbed Grimm's fur and SCREAMED bloody murder.. his Mom gently untangled his hands, but swears her son was just very, very happy. Grimm allowed this boy to do anything at all he wants with him, no matter how sudden or painful. (Mom was more careful after a second scream-grab event with Grimm, restrained her son). Grimm sought this boy out especially, sitting calmly near him, softly kissing. Unfazed, but softly affectionate.

I now live in a building full of very ill, elderly people. Grimm seeks out the oldest, most ill people here. One grandpa in our elevator suddenly grabbed Grimm's muzzle with black leather gloved-hands, and squished Grimm's muzzle into ameoba-pudding shapes. Grimm put his ears down, gave the man soft eyes, and tried to gently kiss him around the black gloved hand squishing his muzzle into weird shapes.

We have teenagerhood and youthful exuberance issues, must work on on-lead doggy issues for sure, need more obedience training.. but this unflappable boy really seems to want to show care for the infirm.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Trixie's Mom

· #2 · Apr 27, 2008

Awww, what a sweet boy Grimm is!!! Several years ago my parents had to have their GS put down due to illness and it was extremely hard on them so i took my GS (at the time Tangie) over to see them. My dad is terminally ill & bedridden. I was a bit nervous that she would jump up on my dad in her excitement to see him. I was so proud of her as she sat gently by his bedside and allowed him to love and pet her while she just gently licked his hand. In my heart i just feel like she knew Grandpa was ill.

Brightelf

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 27, 2008

Tangie sounds like such a lovey-girl.. feeling, intuitive, caring dog! It makes you wonder if they really can read auras or something, know when someone is quite ill.. and some of them have such a sense of responsibility. Maybe Tangie just wanted to help.

WiscTiger

· #4 · Apr 27, 2008

Dogs do amazing things. DeeDee my weak nerved little gal was never really commfortable with just approaching people, so I just let her keep a distance that was comfortable for her. One day at the Vet's office this elderly lady was talking to me about her sick cat or dog, I can't remember. DeeDee got up from my side walked over and put her front half up in the ladies lap. I said I am so sorry she is bothering you, the lady said she isn't bothering me, she just came over here to comfort me.

Trixie's Mom

· #5 · Apr 27, 2008

That's what i was thinking of with Grimm...that he would seek those out that may need his love the most is so wonderful.

Brightelf

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 27, 2008

Val, I think the older lady and DeeDee totally understood eachother. Was DeeDee ever this way with anyone else? I think DeeDee had a perfect read of this older woman....... how VERY sweet to want to help, and to know that she could do it by hogging a lap!

mastercabman

· #7 · Apr 27, 2008

i think that oliver would be a perfect candidate for a therapy dog.
he is the sweetest dog. big boy at 98lbs-28.5" he is the biggest cream puff

loves kids! loves other dogs! big,small,doesn't matter.
the only bad thing is,he can't get his cgc right now. seperation anxiety!

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Ursa Lunar

· #8 · Apr 28, 2008

Patti - the more I hear about Grimm the more I think he is one of the most perfect examples of a GSD out there!

My Oskar is like that, very intuitive to people, especially the ill, elderly or very young. I feel like I'm denying him by not having him be a visiting therapy dog ... maybe when my two pre-K boys are in full-time school I can do that with him. Children think he looks like a big teddy bear, perhaps it would be good if he could be one for some of them for at least a time ...

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BowWowMeow

· #9 · Apr 28, 2008

2

Patti,

i think Grimm and Rafi are brothers, separated somewhere other than birth!

He is as big of a spastic goof as Grimm and just as loving. Every story you tell about Grimm sounds just like Rafi! He plays so well with kids--incredibly gentle! And he has kisses for everyone...unless of course he's carrying a toy. Then he just wraps his body around their legs and wiggles.

I have a friend who loves dogs and especially gsds but doesn't have any dog sense. He full body hugs Rafi and grabs his muzzle like the grandpa in your building. Rafi's response? Big kisses for my friend.

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luanne

· #10 · Apr 28, 2008

What a little sweetheart that Grimm is!!!!

We have a disabled niece that came to our 4th of July party last year. Both of my dogs were so gentle and patient with her. Including Gracie who really has no use for kids because usually they are of the running and screaming variety (can't really say that I blame her too much....). The dogs would leave to go play but then always come back to check on our niece from time to time. She doesn't have much control over her hands/arms so she 'hits' when she's really trying to pet. I'm sure that both dogs were hit in the face and head but they never did a thing. Just stood there. I was quite proud.

And our niece's visit last Summer is why Hunter is going through Pet Therapy classes right now. Actually his graduation/testing is tomorrow night!

These guys...so smart...so intuitive...

Lu

Sean Rescue Mom

· #11 · Apr 28, 2008

We originally adopted Sean for my daughter when she was having complications due to a life-threatening illness. Guess where he slept at night? You got it - right beside my daughter's bed. Now that's what I call intuitive.

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Castlemaid

· #12 · Apr 28, 2008

Those are great stories Patti. (Aren't all Grimm stories the greatest?)

bearlasmom

· #13 · Apr 28, 2008

grimm is the greatest! what a sweety boy! now i know why bearla is so in love with him. Castle, you should see bearlas reaction if she sees grimms videos, lol
Grimm is the way he is Patti because he has a fantastic momma and daddy

romeosmom

· #14 · Apr 28, 2008

GSD are so intuitive! Romeo would be a great rescue dog too!

WiscTiger

· #15 · Apr 28, 2008

Patti, It was just so unual for DeeDee, she isn't a social butterfly like my Cheyenne who loves everyone. DeeDee will approach people if she I don't know gets the right vib from them, otherwise she is content just to watch people.

But I always told the Vet there was just something very special about DeeDee. When she was really sick one time and had to do an overnight with IV and ABX on board, after that the Vet said you are right there is something special about this little gal, but and she stopped. I said yep but if you try to put it in words you can't, it's like an Aura. She had all the staff gravitating towards her kennel for pets and kind words, it was like she pulled them over there because she needed to feed off their good vibs.

GSDTrain

· #16 · May 2, 2008

Originally Posted By: BrightelfDoes anyone have a GSD that is remarkably intuitive, gravitates specificly towards the elderly and infirm, loves everyone, and has no cuddle-limits? Grimm has always sought out the physically and mentally handicapped, and instantly becomes calm, quiet, snuggly, patient. They have free rein with him. One mentally disabled child in our last apartment complex grabbed Grimm's fur and SCREAMED bloody murder.. his Mom gently untangled his hands, but swears her son was just very, very happy. Grimm allowed this boy to do anything at all he wants with him, no matter how sudden or painful. (Mom was more careful after a second scream-grab event with Grimm, restrained her son). Grimm sought this boy out especially, sitting calmly near him, softly kissing. Unfazed, but softly affectionate.

I now live in a building full of very ill, elderly people. Grimm seeks out the oldest, most ill people here. One grandpa in our elevator suddenly grabbed Grimm's muzzle with black leather gloved-hands, and squished Grimm's muzzle into ameoba-pudding shapes. Grimm put his ears down, gave the man soft eyes, and tried to gently kiss him around the black gloved hand squishing his muzzle into weird shapes.

We have teenagerhood and youthful exuberance issues, must work on on-lead doggy issues for sure, need more obedience training.. but this unflappable boy really seems to want to show care for the infirm.

Ivy is the same way. She loves seeing people and has absolutely NO cuddle limit.

Superpup

· #17 · May 2, 2008

2

I love Grimm stories also!!!

I have to say Cody does not entirely fit this picture, he has never really been around sick and elderly people. He adores children though, I had my friend come over with her 6 mth old baby and Cody LOOOOOVED this baby. He would sit next to her on the floor and no matter how hard the baby grabbed his hair, he would not move. When the baby threw her toy away, Cody would go and fetch it for her and gently place it on her lap.
Cody is a certified Therapy dog but I have still been hesitant to take him to hospitals... he would LOVE a children's hospital, and I know the kids would love him.
These are pretty incredible stories!!!

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Brightelf

Discussion Starter · #18 · May 2, 2008

Ohh how sweet that Cody gently retrieved the toy for the baby.. that is amazing to me!

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Brightelf

Discussion Starter · #19 · May 2, 2008

Val, I love your DeeDee stories!! What an intuitive, strong soul of a dog with a special awareness.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

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