Lille, Lille, Lille, is that Lille? Meet a most extraordinary animal assisted therapy dog

Lille was born in Mancelona, Michigan and came to live with her person, Barbara, when she was nine weeks old.

Barbara had other therapy dogs and saw something special in Lille right away. Perhaps it was her concentration and ability to really listen. Perhaps it was her desire to cuddle real close. Or perhaps it was her quiet beauty.

Lille learned all her obedience very early on and then Barbara had some good tips for going the next step to becoming a therapy dog. When Lille would lean up against someone real close, Barbara would give the command “Hug.”

When Lille would go up to someone new to say hello, Barbara would give the command “Go say hello”

This is the most basic and effective training method. Observe a natural behavior in your dog, then name it.

But it is Lille’s ability to feel empathy that sets her apart. Lille is actually quite shy and she still may not approach family members, but she does not hesitate to go up to a child or adult she feels needs her. Somehow she knows just what to do and who needs her the most.

I always ask therapy partners if they think their dog knows they are working.

This is what Barbara has to say about Lille, “Lille is a hero to so many children who need something to smile about at a time when there is little to smile about. On numerous occasions when I am out with Lille, I’ve heard people running behind me saying “Lille, Lille, Lille??? Is that Lille? And I say “yes, it is. And then I hear “when I was in Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital she visited me when I needed her most.”

And Lille beams.

She knows.

Lille and Barbara are members of the Angel on a Leash animal assisted therapy program in New York and visit children at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, New Alternatives for Children and Ronald McDonald House.

Barbara has another registered therapy dog, a nine year old Shetland Sheepdog named Kaila and the three of them have changed lives through their dedication to therapy work. Ask Barbara why she devotes so much time to a volunteer activity and she will share this story with you:

“Sometimes you get to see miracles right before your eyes. One time we arrived at the hospital and were told to go to a certain room that Lille was really needed in. We visited a 12 yr. old girl who 30 days prior became paralyzed and couldn't speak. I laid Lille in the young girl's arms with Lille's head up by the little girl's head. Her mom would take her daughter's hand and move it back and forth on Lille saying “feel how soft Lille is?” Her mom didn't give up and would do this for the next 20 minutes but there was no response.

After a while the nurse walked into the room to change the young girl so I attempted to pick Lille up. At that moment, the young girl wrapped her arm around Lille so tight so I couldn't take her. I decided to let Lille stay and that's when she moved her three fingers for the first time to pet Lille. It's at these moments you say to yourself, this is why we do it! As I held back my tears and said my good-byes I walked around the curtain to leave. The mom followed me and grabbed my wrist and said, "Thank you", with tears streaming down her cheeks.”

Animal assisted therapy work will change your life for the better. It will give you such a bond with your dog as it has brought out the best in Barbara.

Every two years Barbara and Lille have to be retested to maintain their Delta Society registration and each time Barbara is nervous that Lille will not pass.

Barbara, you have nothing to worry about!

If you are an active animal assisted therapy pair in Las Vegas, please share your story with me so we can promote the healing power of pets together. You can reach Coco and me at coco@cocothelovedog.com.

Sue Grundfest is a licensed Team Evaluator for Delta Society, the national animal assisted therapy program. If you would like to see if you and your pet are suitable for therapy work, please contact Sue at coco@cocothelovedog.com

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For more information:

Delta Society

Angel on a Leash