Retired Therapy Dogs
Sadie
“The Smiley Dog”
Sadie is an adult Black Labrador Retriever mix. Sadie was originally being fostered by BRD founder, Jill, along with her sister Lily. Shortly after Lily was adopted out it was decided that Sadie should become a permanent member of the BRD family. Sadie was officially adopted in the fall of 2013 from West Hancock Canine Rescue. Sadie has been trained in relay retrieval and water retrieval as well as receiving obedience training. Sadie has a fun, energetic, people-loving personality that is perfectly suited to animal assisted therapy. Sadie enjoys retrieving bumpers and duck dummies, she also enjoys going for runs, snuggling on the couch and meeting new people.
Sadly, in 2021, Sadie suddenly lost her vision due to a rare canine illness which caused her to become very timid and fearful of new places. As a result, she had to take an early retirement from providing AAT services.
Therapy Experience
Sadie has been training in the field of AAT since she was 6 months old. She spent her first year shadowing our veteran therapy dog, Red. After Red passed away Sadie became our lead therapy dog. Sadie has been to a number of locations and worked with a variety of people. Sadie had her first therapy visit in September (2015) and was very successful. Sadie has since visited Lexington Square in Keokuk, IA independently and alongside Peach (below) as well as River Hills Assisted Living Facility and Alzheimer Unit and Farmington Country Manor in Farmington, IL. In 2018, Sadie began visiting a reading program at the Burlington Public Library in Burlington, IA.
Sadie is an adult Black Labrador Retriever mix. Sadie was originally being fostered by BRD founder, Jill, along with her sister Lily. Shortly after Lily was adopted out it was decided that Sadie should become a permanent member of the BRD family. Sadie was officially adopted in the fall of 2013 from West Hancock Canine Rescue. Sadie has been trained in relay retrieval and water retrieval as well as receiving obedience training. Sadie has a fun, energetic, people-loving personality that is perfectly suited to animal assisted therapy. Sadie enjoys retrieving bumpers and duck dummies, she also enjoys going for runs, snuggling on the couch and meeting new people.
Sadly, in 2021, Sadie suddenly lost her vision due to a rare canine illness which caused her to become very timid and fearful of new places. As a result, she had to take an early retirement from providing AAT services.
Therapy Experience
Sadie has been training in the field of AAT since she was 6 months old. She spent her first year shadowing our veteran therapy dog, Red. After Red passed away Sadie became our lead therapy dog. Sadie has been to a number of locations and worked with a variety of people. Sadie had her first therapy visit in September (2015) and was very successful. Sadie has since visited Lexington Square in Keokuk, IA independently and alongside Peach (below) as well as River Hills Assisted Living Facility and Alzheimer Unit and Farmington Country Manor in Farmington, IL. In 2018, Sadie began visiting a reading program at the Burlington Public Library in Burlington, IA.
Forever In Our Hearts
Red
Who Was the Big Red Dog?
Red was a Red Bone Coonhound/Labrador Retriever mix. Red had been with BRD founder, Jill since he was a puppy. Red was adopted from an animal shelter in Alton, IL. The family found Red (then named "Elvis") on PetFinder.com. Red was originally adopted by Jill's brother to be a hunting dog, but it was soon determined that he would be better suited to animal assisted therapy. Red was born with a birth defect which affected the tendons in his front legs and his front paws and toes. Due to this birth defect, Red is not able to dig, jump, or run for long distances. However, his handicap never held him back it simply made him unique. Red had a laid-back, friendly and calming personality which was well-suited to animal assisted therapy. Red enjoyed laying in the sun, going for car rides, chewing bones and taking naps.
Red passed away on September 5, 2016 at our family farm in rural Illinois.
Therapy Experience
Red and Jill started doing animal assisted therapy as an independent study project during Jill's senior year at Illini West High School in Carthage, IL. Red attended obedience classes privately and was then certified for therapy through the AKC Canine Good Citizenship Test. Red and Jill began doing therapy in September of 2010. They visited three classrooms each day Monday through Friday. Red had experience working with children as young as 5-years-old as well as adults. Red worked in special education classrooms, behavioral disorder classrooms, reading specialist programs, visited nursing homes and hospitals. In the fall of 2014, Red and Jill conducted an undergraduate research project in the field of Biopsychology at Illini Bluffs middle school in which Jill studied the effects of the presence of a therapy pet on anxiety in middle school students. The results of the study were that the presence of a therapy dog decreases anxiety in students. Red has worked with Illini West High School, Carthage Elementary School, Illini Bluffs Middle School, and Central Lee High School. He visited Memorial Hospital in Carthage, IL, Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL, Lexington Square Care Facility in Keokuk, IA and Farmington Country Manor in Farmington, IL. Red was also a "mentor dog" to his predecessors.
Red was a Red Bone Coonhound/Labrador Retriever mix. Red had been with BRD founder, Jill since he was a puppy. Red was adopted from an animal shelter in Alton, IL. The family found Red (then named "Elvis") on PetFinder.com. Red was originally adopted by Jill's brother to be a hunting dog, but it was soon determined that he would be better suited to animal assisted therapy. Red was born with a birth defect which affected the tendons in his front legs and his front paws and toes. Due to this birth defect, Red is not able to dig, jump, or run for long distances. However, his handicap never held him back it simply made him unique. Red had a laid-back, friendly and calming personality which was well-suited to animal assisted therapy. Red enjoyed laying in the sun, going for car rides, chewing bones and taking naps.
Red passed away on September 5, 2016 at our family farm in rural Illinois.
Therapy Experience
Red and Jill started doing animal assisted therapy as an independent study project during Jill's senior year at Illini West High School in Carthage, IL. Red attended obedience classes privately and was then certified for therapy through the AKC Canine Good Citizenship Test. Red and Jill began doing therapy in September of 2010. They visited three classrooms each day Monday through Friday. Red had experience working with children as young as 5-years-old as well as adults. Red worked in special education classrooms, behavioral disorder classrooms, reading specialist programs, visited nursing homes and hospitals. In the fall of 2014, Red and Jill conducted an undergraduate research project in the field of Biopsychology at Illini Bluffs middle school in which Jill studied the effects of the presence of a therapy pet on anxiety in middle school students. The results of the study were that the presence of a therapy dog decreases anxiety in students. Red has worked with Illini West High School, Carthage Elementary School, Illini Bluffs Middle School, and Central Lee High School. He visited Memorial Hospital in Carthage, IL, Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL, Lexington Square Care Facility in Keokuk, IA and Farmington Country Manor in Farmington, IL. Red was also a "mentor dog" to his predecessors.
Peach
Who Was the "Princess" Dog
Peach was a Pomeranian mix which we adopted from Des Moines County Human Society in Burlington, IA. Peach was perfect for visits to facilities with residents who weren't able to get up and move around. Peach loved to find a good lap to sit on and chill. Sometimes referred to as "Princess Peach", she often liked to get dressed up for her visits by wearing seasonal dresses. Peach had long, silky fur that was almost impossible to not pet. Peach's calm demeanor, quiet nature and silky fur made her a great fit for any therapy visit. Peach enjoyed laying in the sun, eating bacon treats, being loved on, going for car rides and getting brushed.
Peach passed away at home in 2019.
Therapy Experience
Peach began therapy visits as an adult dog. Peach had had basic obedience training and therapy observation training. Peach had her first therapy visit in February 2016. Peach generally accompanied Sadie on visits. Peach visited Lexington Square in Keokuk, IA and Farmington Country Manor in Farmington, IL.
Peach was a Pomeranian mix which we adopted from Des Moines County Human Society in Burlington, IA. Peach was perfect for visits to facilities with residents who weren't able to get up and move around. Peach loved to find a good lap to sit on and chill. Sometimes referred to as "Princess Peach", she often liked to get dressed up for her visits by wearing seasonal dresses. Peach had long, silky fur that was almost impossible to not pet. Peach's calm demeanor, quiet nature and silky fur made her a great fit for any therapy visit. Peach enjoyed laying in the sun, eating bacon treats, being loved on, going for car rides and getting brushed.
Peach passed away at home in 2019.
Therapy Experience
Peach began therapy visits as an adult dog. Peach had had basic obedience training and therapy observation training. Peach had her first therapy visit in February 2016. Peach generally accompanied Sadie on visits. Peach visited Lexington Square in Keokuk, IA and Farmington Country Manor in Farmington, IL.