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 laborious to get canine like me adopted. My days are fairly jam-packed and I by no means know what they’ll deliver. 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 wish to be a four-legged therapist, so I’m pulling again the curtain to present you a glimpse right into a day within the lifetime of Dr. Harley. (All names have been modified to keep up consumer confidentiality.)
7am: I favor to sleep on the workplace, since I wish 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 every day gratitude journal.
8am: First consumer arrives. Marvin has been coming to see me for a few years to deal with his ongoing pug habit. 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 normal cost strategies: pets, toys, treats, “good boys.”)
9am: Fast break to care for enterprise. And I don’t imply bookkeeping…
9:35am: Bethany arrives (5 minutes late, as regular). We had a significant breakthrough in her final session, however I can inform she’s deflecting at the moment. All she desires to do is speak about me: Am I potty skilled? After all. Do I get scared when left dwelling alone? Nope. Do I contemplate myself adventurous? Sure. Do I desire a dwelling to name my very own? Completely!
11am: Properly-deserved lunch hour. I wish to get out and stretch my legs to launch some stress between classes. 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 improper 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 line with my supervisor, considered one of my shoppers reported that I wasn’t respecting their private house 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 attempting to assist him get well from an upbringing by which he wasn’t allowed to have canine. I discover this significantly 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 any case.
7pm: Netflix and chill whereas chowing down on some dinner. I’ve been actually into this new dog-umentary collection currently, so I binge watch a number of episodes to unwind after an extended day.
9pm: Mini meditation and quiet reflection time. Head to my crate to catch some Zzzs, dreaming of that lovely adoptive dwelling Bethany requested me about at the moment.
About Dr. Harley: Harley is the unofficial emotional assist canine for the Conduct Workforce at APA!, sharing the workplace house with many shut workers and volunteer mates. At 10 years previous, he’s the right mixture of mature gentleman and sprightly younger soul, with a ardour for fetch, tennis balls, and massive sticks. His hobbies embrace scent work, begging for booty scratches, and flashing his trademark grin. He’s a superb at-home companion who’s simply as completely happy to snooze on a snug canine mattress as he’s to go for an out of doors journey. He’s presently in search of a foster or adoptive dwelling, and you may meet him by emailing [email protected].