Top Dog Ten

You might be wondering what a therapy dog does? The short answer is, I comfort and welcome people, honestly, they make me pretty happy too! I think I definitely have the best job in the world! But, if you want to get a better picture... keep reading, I'm down with telling you about my super cool new career at Dutch Creek! Lets start at the beginning!

My first day started when Mom beeped us into two sets of really big doors and WOW, there were so many little humans with masks and backpacks. I am generally a pretty mellow guy, but my tail was wagging so fast I almost knocked myself over. The day was a bit of a fantastic blur. I wondered if everyone felt like this on their first day at Dutch Creek? People were so kind and friendly!  I decided to take special note of every detail and capture as many memories as I could before the moments were lost. It was hard work, but I made a top ten play by play of my very first day as a REAL LIFE THERAPY DOG:

1. Comforted a new friend who was having a rough day- . I got him to start to laugh a  little by showing him my toes ( I am still not quite sure why my toes are so funny, but he thought it was pretty hilarious to call my little toe a  thumb)! 
2. Met several kids in the Dolphin Cove - I think I made some really nice new friends! One friend even said he wanted to teach me a new trick! 
3. Greeted lots of kids, big and small. EVERYONE knew my name! Honestly, I wonder if this is what it feels like to be a celebrity? 
4. EVERYONE was nice to me and so many people asked to pet me. 
5. Had lunch with some 3rd graders- they had pizza and I was a little surprised they did not offer me any. I guess you are not supposed to share food at school, especially during covid! Got it!
6. SO many adults called on the radio or came to my office (yup, I have a REAL OFFICE…) pretty cool, livin’ the dream! 
7. I was invited to join another group of students in the Dolphin Cove - we colored, and they talked (I was quiet this time, but I might speak up when I get little more comfortable in the group) I think they called it a friendship group and I really felt welcome. 
8. A couple small girls visited me, they were so gentle and I loved all the pets they gave as they told me about their lives as Kindergarteners. 
9. Just when I thought all of the kids had left (WOW, that bell was loud!) some kids came back just to say how much they liked making a new friend.  I liked making new friends too, maybe I’m not so different after all? 
10. Nap. At the end of my exciting, but long first day, I climbed into my very own "Peace Place" ( I'll tell you about that in an upcoming blog). I reflected on my best moments of the day. One that really stuck with me was a moment with a boy who came to visit in my office. As he sat quietly stroking my fur, he said "I like being with you Kevin, I have a dog at home too...", 

I could see he felt at home as he pet and talked to me and it made my heart happy that I could make school like a home away from home... plus, it is great that even during covid, there is no 6 foot rule for kids petting dogs.

"I long, as every being does, to be at home wherever I find myself". -Maya Angelou

 I fell into a deep sleep. Mom said I snored so loudly, it was hard to finish her last zoom call. She took this picture: I guess it was important to her to capture this day too!I fell into a deep sleep. Mom said I snored so loudly, it was hard to finish her last zoom call. She took this picture: I guess it was important to her to capture this day too!

I tried to get my mom to take me to school the next day too. She said, "Nope, we're sticking to Wednesday's for now Kevin". I am pretty sure I can convince her to bring me more often... Maybe 24/7 would be a good start?

I’m Kevin Harkness, brave and loyal companion, canine friend, therapy dog, blogger, expert list maker, and the newest proud member of the Dutch Creek CREW …MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE, ONE WAG AT A TIME!