The Touching Dog Story of a Therapy Dog

In celebration of National Dog Day on August 26, this is the touching dog story of a therapy dog named Star and her owner Laura.

My friends, Laura and Star, regularly visit several retirement homes, nursing homes and hospitals. The residents and patients at these facilities look forward to Star's visits. Many of them are lonely, bored and depressed, but their faces light us when they see Star. Star brings them contentment and happiness in an incredible way that no human could.

Star is unaware and unconcerned that many of them are elderly, disabled, wheel-chair bound and possibly oblivious to their surroundings. She is just a friendly, well mannered, obedient therapy dog who loves attention from people and accepts them the way they are. To Star, every day is National Dog Day. Star is the perfect therapy dog.

This touching dog story begins as one day Laura and Star were visiting a nursing home facility that they had never been to before. The supervisor of the facility met them at the door and welcomed them in. She led them into the large day room and introduced them to the residents.

Everyone was delighted to see Star. Laura and Star made their way around the room, so that each resident could have a chance to pet Star. Some even hugged and kissed her. Star, always the social butterfly, was happy being the center of attention. Everyone, including the supervisor and the other employees in the room, was enjoying this therapy dog visit. Everyone except one person.

Laura noticed an elderly man in a wheelchair sitting alone in the far corner of the room. His head was bent down and he appeared to be staring at the floor, or was he sleeping? Laura decided to find out, and she and Star began to walk toward him. One of the facility employees intercepted them and said "Don't waste your time trying to visit with him. He's very depressed and he won't pay any attention to you. He has been here for over a year and has not spoken a word to anyone". Laura disregarded her comments and she and Star approached the man. When they got closer, Laura saw that he was indeed asleep, and started to move away from him. But then the man awoke. When he saw Star standing in front of him wagging her tail, his face lit up and he smiled at the dog. He reached down to pet Star, and stretching as far as he could, and wrapped his arms around her. Then, to the amazement of everyone in the room, the man opened his mouth and said "dog".

Dog owners will not be surprised by Star's touching dog story. They know dogs, especially a therapy dog, have a remarkable way of persuading people to forget their problems.

Remember to to celebrate National Dog Day on August 26 with your dog!

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