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 canines like me adopted. My days are fairly jam-packed and I by no means know what they’ll carry. Typically my purchasers current with a basic case of separation nervousness, whereas different occasions 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 shopper confidentiality.)
7am: I favor to sleep on the workplace, since I wish to be right here for my purchasers 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 shopper 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 learn 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 commonplace cost strategies: pets, toys, treats, “good boys.”)
9am: Fast break to deal with enterprise. And I don’t imply bookkeeping…
9:35am: Bethany arrives (5 minutes late, as common). We had a significant breakthrough in her final session, however I can inform she’s deflecting right now. All she needs to do is discuss me: Am I potty skilled? After all. Do I get scared when left residence alone? Nope. Do I take into account myself adventurous? Sure. Do I need a residence to name my very own? Completely!
11am: Effectively-deserved lunch hour. I wish to get out and stretch my legs to launch some stress between periods. I meet up with a human buddy to play a rousing sport 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 incorrect with this, so I’ve chosen to make use of the basic Gestalt follow of exaggeration, the place I encourage her to pet me as a lot and as typically as she needs to throughout the confines of my workplace. It’s working very well for me—er, her, I imply.
1:30pm: Continued schooling and compliance coaching. In accordance with my supervisor, considered one of my purchasers 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 shopper, Enrique. I’m making an attempt to assist him recuperate from an upbringing by 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 sequence currently, so I binge watch a couple 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 stunning adoptive residence Bethany requested me about right now.
About Dr. Harley: Harley is the unofficial emotional assist canine for the Habits Staff at APA!, sharing the workplace area with many shut workers and volunteer associates. At 10 years previous, he’s the right mixture of mature gentleman and sprightly younger soul, with a ardour for fetch, tennis balls, and large 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 blissful to snooze on a comfortable canine mattress as he’s to go for an outside journey. He’s at the moment in search of a foster or adoptive residence, and you’ll meet him by emailing [email protected].
