Jan 24, 2024
Hello, I’m Dr. Harley (aka “Canine-tor” Harley). I’m the resident remedy canine right here at Austin Pets Alive!, offering a much-needed listening ear, emotional help and calming presence to the people working arduous to get canine like me adopted. My days are fairly jam-packed and I by no means know what they’ll deliver. Typically my shoppers current with a basic case of separation nervousness, whereas different occasions I’m only a sounding board for his or her doggy drama. I get requested on a regular basis what it’s wish to be a four-legged therapist, so I’m pulling again the curtain to present you a glimpse right into a day within the lifetime of Dr. Harley. (All names have been modified to keep up shopper confidentiality.)
7am: I choose to sleep on the workplace, since I wish to be right here for my shoppers in any respect hours of the day. As quickly as I get up, I do a fast yoga routine (downward canine is my favourite pose), have a glass of chilly water, and fill out my each day gratitude journal.
8am: First shopper arrives. Marvin has been coming to see me for a few years to deal with his ongoing pug habit. He’s a person of few phrases, however appears to learn from my smooth tail wags, puppy-dog eyes, and occasional well-timed woofs. Earlier than we full our session, I gently remind him that he’s two months behind on fee. (I gladly settle for all commonplace fee strategies: pets, toys, treats, “good boys.”)
9am: Fast break to maintain enterprise. And I don’t imply bookkeeping…
9:35am: Bethany arrives (5 minutes late, as regular). We had a significant breakthrough in her final session, however I can inform she’s deflecting in the present day. All she desires to do is speak about me: Am I potty skilled? In fact. Do I get scared when left house alone? Nope. Do I contemplate myself adventurous? Sure. Do I desire a house to name my very own? Completely!
11am: Nicely-deserved lunch hour. I wish to get out and stretch my legs to launch some stress between periods. I meet up with a human buddy to play a rousing sport of fetch (which I’m fairly good at, if I do say so myself.)
12pm: My subsequent session is very gratifying. Natalie has what’s known as OPD, obsessive petting dysfunction. In different phrases, if she sees a canine, she has to pet it. And pet it. And pet it. Personally, I discover nothing incorrect with this, so I’ve chosen to make use of the basic Gestalt observe of exaggeration, the place I encourage her to pet me as a lot and as usually as she desires to inside the confines of my workplace. It’s working rather well for me—er, her, I imply.
1:30pm: Continued training and compliance coaching. In keeping with my supervisor, considered one of my shoppers reported that I wasn’t respecting their private area sufficient. But it surely’s not my fault I’m 65 kilos of pure snuggly softness.
3pm: Stroll-and-talk session with my shopper, Enrique. I’m making an attempt to assist him get well from an upbringing wherein he wasn’t allowed to have canine. I discover this significantly troubling and remind him in a joking (but in addition critical) method that he might all the time undertake me.
5pm: Shut out the workday by visiting my very own therapist. As a result of all good therapists have a therapist, in any case.
7pm: Netflix and chill whereas chowing down on some dinner. I’ve been actually into this new dog-umentary sequence these days, so I binge watch a number of episodes to unwind after an extended day.
9pm: Mini meditation and quiet reflection time. Head to my crate to catch some Zzzs, dreaming of that stunning adoptive house Bethany requested me about in the present day.
About Dr. Harley: Harley is the unofficial emotional help canine for the Habits Crew at APA!, sharing the workplace area with many shut employees and volunteer buddies. At 10 years previous, he’s the proper mixture of mature gentleman and sprightly younger soul, with a ardour for fetch, tennis balls, and large sticks. His hobbies embrace scent work, begging for booty scratches, and flashing his trademark grin. He’s a superb at-home companion who’s simply as blissful to snooze on a comfortable canine mattress as he’s to go for an outside journey. He’s at present on the lookout for a foster or adoptive house, and you may meet him by emailing [email protected].
