Topher: From Death Row to Therapy Dog

While in Georgia taking care of my sick grandmother, one of our dogs passed away. Our other dog, Tanker, became depressed. We knew that Tanker needed a friend. Because of Tanker's epilepsy, we needed a dog who was gentle and calm. This was also what I needed in a potential therapy dog, something we'd been working on with Tanker for quite some time.

I began my search on Petfinder and found Topher. He was in foster care with the Georgia Humane Society in Atlanta, GA, USA. They had rescued him from a high kill shelter and saved his life. When we met Topher for the first time, we knew he was the dog for us. We brought him back to my grandmother's house and he fit right in. When my grandmother passed away, I began training Topher to be a therapy dog. There wasn't a lot of training to do. He was already a natural at it.

Topher has been with us for a few months. After much experience, he is about to achieve AKC Canine Good Citizen certification and Delta Society

Pet Partner/Therapy Dog certification. Topher and I will be volunteering with two organizations: one to help special needs children in elementary

schools and the other to help wounded service members. Topher does not need certification to be called a "therapy dog". He has been one all

along. He's been Tanker's therapy in overcoming the grief of losing his companion and he has been my therapy in overcoming my physical disability from a brain injury. He has been patient with Tanker through his seizures and patient with me through my difficulties. I can't wait to share him with others so he can be their therapy too. I owe thanks to GHS for giving Topher a new beginning.

Lindsay Foster
Stafford, VA