Page 38 - Leisure Living Magazine Holiday 2019

Pet Tales
Continued from page 15
vices, those in their care often possess similar needs—a reason to smile, a comforting presence, a light-hearted diversion from worries.
Holly cites an example of Brody’s innate ability to connect to someone suffering from an illness, loneliness, anxiety or sadness. “One afternoon Firelands Regional Medical Center called and asked if Brody and I would visit a patient. She was alone and had no family members with her, and was having surgery the next day. She was scared, anxious and worried, and asked if anyone could sit with her awhile. Brody and I went to see her and we talked, with Brody sitting right by her bed. She stroked his head, calmed down, and then smiled. It was a good day for everyone.”
Erin Sandvick of Marblehead Peninsula Library describes how the team of Brody and Holly has improved the reading fluency of children at the library. “Some nights Brody lies quietly and lets individual kids read to him. If a reader is strug- gling, Holly will gently correct and help. After the child finishes reading, Holly provides a treat for him or her, and Brody does a trick. That is the BEST part for a lot of kids.”
While Brody’s service as a therapy dog endears him to the public, it is his role as a family dog that completes his life purpose. Holly laughs as she talks about life at home with her big guy. “Bro- dy is a typical Boxer, always making us laugh and testing our patience. For example, he has this comical way of reacting to a request for some- thing he doesn’t want to do, such as getting off of the couch or going to bed for the night—he will just turn his head away and ignore us. Bro- dy also taught his best canine friend, Oscar the
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Jane Sandvick, daughter of Erin & Matt Sand- vick, with Brody at the Marblehead Library.
Beagle, how to box. Yes, Boxers do “box” in a playful way, and one day Oscar and Brody were playing and Brody began to box. It was hilarious to watch little Oscar begin to box back!”
One question that I always ask pet owners during an interview is “If asked to describe your animal companion in one word, what word would that be?” For Holly, the question brought tears to her eyes as she thought about how to answer. “Brody has made so many people smile and feel better. He has taught children that dogs are good for families, showing them that he can be their friend if they are lonely, and he can make them laugh. Some adults have had to give up their pets in order to go into the hospital or nurs- ing home, and the hugs and kisses he gets when he visits them make both of them happy. The an- swer to your question has to be ‘One word is not enough.’ ”
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