Impactful Moments: Heather, Raven & Asia's Story

Exactly The Kind of Therapy He Needed

"I have two Huskies, Asia and Raven and I take them every other week to visit the men at an Alcohol and Drug Treatment program where I used to work. It is always an exciting evening for all of us and Asia and Raven leave enough “floof” behind to be remembered for forever.

Asia was a rescue and is approximately 12 years old. She is a dreamer…..very gentle and thoughtful and just kind of floats around. She has come a long way from being a very frightened and sick little girl who didn’t respond to human touch to being a sensitive and loving therapy dog. She is still very much a “lone wolf” at times, however, and picks and chooses when she wants to be receptive.

Raven who is 6, came to me as a 12 week old ball of nonsense and just bounces through life enjoying every moment and is always up for a belly rub and “lots” of attention!

When we are at the centre where many of the men have experienced their own neglect and trauma, they are immediately able to pick out which of the dogs has experienced trauma and it gets them talking about their own experiences. They recognize from interacting with the two dogs how trauma can affect development.

On one occasion, a young man who had previously made connection with Asia and Raven came in to see them but he had just returned from the hospital after having suffered a seizure so he was not his usual self. Asia made a beeline for him and gently began to lick his face. He had tears coming down his face and said that was exactly the kind of therapy that he needed right then. She has an uncanny ability to attune to others when they are in pain and to reach out to them. We were all in tears at that point."

- Pet Therapy Volunteer Team Heather, Asia & Raven