Even though I work full time with Doc as a therapy dog, Doc says it’s still important to volunteer for worthy causes and that is exactly what we did on Tuesday afternoon. So, after some lunch and a brief nap, we headed over to Dublin, Ohio to the conference center where the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence was having their annual conference.
We were there to talk to the participants who came from all over the state, about how therapy dogs can help people that have been traumatized by sexual violence. Sadly, Doc and I hear these stories from out patients, way too often and so Doc was able to give first hand accounts about how I have helped. She also encouraged those that were interested, how to have their agencies train and get dogs certified for the places they work.
I don’t want to brag, but I was a big hit. There were two other dogs there, but I think I was the most popular, especially with the ladies. I know it’s not nice to gossip, but there was a big St. Bernard there and as soon as I walked in the door, he lunged and barked at me. How rude! He did that a couple times when I walked by, so Doc decided we better sit away from him at a another table. If you ask me, I think he was jealous. Well, you know how it is in life, not everyone is going to like you, so you just move on.
To be able to come to a conference and interact with such nice people that do some very hard work is an honor. There were people that work in the court system helping to advocate for those who are sexually abused, first responders, counselors, social workers, and people that worked on the rape hot lines. I was so happy to try to cheer them up today and bring them some joy for just a little while. a small thankyou for the hard and emotionally taxing work that they do.