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 assist and calming presence to the people working exhausting to get canines like me adopted. My days are fairly jam-packed and I by no means know what they’ll carry. Generally my shoppers current with a basic case of separation anxiousness, whereas different instances I’m only a sounding board for his or her doggy drama. I get requested on a regular basis what it’s prefer to be a four-legged therapist, so I’m pulling again the curtain to offer you a glimpse right into a day within the lifetime of Dr. Harley. (All names have been modified to take care of consumer confidentiality.)

7am: I want to sleep on the workplace, since I prefer 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 day by day gratitude journal.

8am: First consumer arrives. Marvin has been coming to see me for a few years to deal with his ongoing pug dependancy. He’s a person of few phrases, however appears to profit from my mushy 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 cost. (I gladly settle for all customary cost 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 normal). We had a serious breakthrough in her final session, however I can inform she’s deflecting at present. All she desires to do is speak about me: Am I potty educated? 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: Properly-deserved lunch hour. I prefer to get out and stretch my legs to launch some pressure between periods. I meet up with a human buddy to play a rousing recreation 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 fallacious with this, so I’ve chosen to make use of the basic Gestalt apply of exaggeration, the place I encourage her to pet me as a lot and as typically 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 accordance with my supervisor, one in every of my shoppers reported that I wasn’t respecting their private area sufficient. However it’s not my fault I’m 65 kilos of pure snuggly softness.

3pm: Stroll-and-talk session with my consumer, Enrique. I’m making an attempt to assist him recuperate from an upbringing during which he wasn’t allowed to have canines. I discover this notably troubling and remind him in a joking (but in addition severe) method that he might at all times undertake me.

5pm: Shut out the workday by visiting my very own therapist. As a result of all good therapists have a therapist, in spite of everything.

7pm: Netflix and chill whereas chowing down on some dinner. I’ve been actually into this new dog-umentary collection these days, so I binge watch just a few episodes to unwind after a protracted day.

9pm: Mini meditation and quiet reflection time. Head to my crate to catch some Zzzs, dreaming of that lovely adoptive house Bethany requested me about at present.

About Dr. Harley: Harley is the unofficial emotional assist canine for the Habits Crew at APA!, sharing the workplace area with many shut employees and volunteer pals. At 10 years outdated, he’s the right mixture of mature gentleman and sprightly younger soul, with a ardour for fetch, tennis balls, and large sticks. His hobbies embody scent work, begging for booty scratches, and flashing his trademark grin. He’s a superb at-home companion who’s simply as joyful to snooze on a snug canine mattress as he’s to go for an outside journey. He’s presently on the lookout for a foster or adoptive house, and you’ll meet him by emailing [email protected].