Lassie is a rescue dog and our family pet. She accompanies me to the office if clients are receptive to having her in session. Lassie brings a calm presence to the office and loves being with people. She seldom barks, does not lick or jump. She spends most of her time sleeping on her bed in the office, or on the couch of someone invites her.
Lassie has her own story that resonates with the power of healing. She was born in India and lived in a tourist area in New Delhi. She was fed by the vendors and a 14 year-old boy, and received lots of attention from tourists. In July 2017, she was hit by a car. Luckily, a street dog caretaker found her and had her transported to Kanaan Animal Welfare. Her leg was badly broken, to the point they considered amputation; however, the vet was able to repair it. She walks with a limp to this day, mostly when it is damp, cold or she has overextended herself.
Lassie flew from India to Virginia in March of 2018, accompanied by her foster mom. She stayed there a month and then was adopted by our family in May 2018.
Lassie’s journey was both physical and emotional healing. For many of my clients, she offers a balm for the spirit and calms any anxiety or apprehension in session. While she is not a trained therapy dog–she does not always like other dogs–she has the personality and heart of one.