For one whole year Coco visited with Zara each Friday. Zara had the biggest smile and loved to run her fingers through Coco’s fluffy white fur.
Zara loved to be chased by Coco and let Coco chase her.
Zara lifted Coco’s little feet and danced around and around.
Zara helped walk Coco by holding on to her leash and never let her run too far ahead.
Zara brought Coco her water bowl and encouraged her to take a drink.
Zara did everything for and with Coco except one thing.
Zara never spoke to her friend.
She never said Coco’s name or called her to Come or told her to Sit.
She never told her she was a Good Girl.
She never said Hello or Goodbye.
Zara used to talk. Then one day she stopped.
No one knew why Zara didn’t speak but a whole host of professionals worked with her to unlock her ability to use speech.
Then one day Coco took ill and missed several weeks of visiting. Zara was very sad without her Friday friend.
One day she looked up at her mother and very, very softly said “Coco?”
The floodgates opened and day by day Zara spoke more and more. No one knows why she stopped talking but we all know why she started again … the healing power of pets spoke volumes for this one little girl and her beloved therapy dog,
You may enjoy reading these other stories about inspirational therapy animals:
Will work for love: saving lives at both ends of the leash
http://wwww.examiner.com/x-9149-Las-Vegas-Therapy-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m4d24-Will-work-for-love-changing-lives-at-both-ends-of-the-leash
Aliah visits Silver Ridge
http://wwww.examiner.com/x-9149-Las-Vegas-Therapy-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m10d25-The-power-of-touch-Aliah-visits-Silver-Ridge-Health-Care-Center
Meet Mackenzie
http://wwww.examiner.com/x-9149-Las-Vegas-Therapy-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m8d27-Meet-Mackenzie--therapy-pooch-spreading-joy-one-paw-at-a-time
One dog, one child: integrating animal assisted therapy into an overall care plan
http://wwww.examiner.com/x-9149-Las-Vegas-Therapy-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m6d15-One-dog-one-child-How-animal-assisted-therapy-can-be-integrated-into-an-overall-care-plan
Meet Lillie
http://wwww.examiner.com/x-9149-Las-Vegas-Therapy-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m5d28-Lille-Lille-Lille-is-that-Lille-Meet-a-most-extraordinary-animal-assisted-therapy-dog
The-world’s-most-unadoptable-dog-and-the-lessons-she-taught-us
http://wwww.examiner.com/x-9149-Las-Vegas-Therapy-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m5d9-The-worlds-most-unadoptable-dog-and-the-lessons-she-taught-us
Hospice visiting
http://wwww.examiner.com/x-9149-Las-Vegas-Therapy-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m5d9-One-familys-greatest-gift-to-their-mom-a-visit-with-a-hospice-dog
Visiting The Shade Tree
http://wwww.examiner.com/x-9149-Las-Vegas-Therapy-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m5d6-Saving-lives-one-lick-at-a-time--Coco-visits-The-Shade-Tree














Comments
what a beautiful story!
What a heartwarming story.
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