Winston the Therapy Dog
Meet Winston!
Winston, also known as Winnie! Winnie was born in August of 2021 and the moment he came home, he began training to become a professional therapy dog. Winston earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen title in 2022 and became a Professional Therapy Dog of Colorado. To earn these credentials Winston had to show competence in basic commands, loose leash walking, ability to ignore distractions, coming when called, accept and allow pets, and allow sensitive places like ears and paws to be touched. Winston continues to practice these competencies through obedience and agility classes.
What breed of dog is Winston?
Winston is a field-line Golden Retriever. He has a red fur coat, a blocky head, and an athletic 70- pound build.
Golden retrievers are well suited for therapy work due to their friendly behavior, innate emotional intelligence, eager to please attitude, and gentle nature. His biggest training flex is how incredibly soft and gently he takes treats from your hand!
To keep the office clean and safe, Winston is groomed every 2 to 4 weeks (including baths, brushes, and nail trims). Like any true Golden, he does shed, so the office is vacuumed several times a week. He is also fully vetted, microchipped, up-to-date on all vaccines, and registered with the county.
Send Us A Message
What will sessions with Winston be like?
Winston enjoys greeting you and receiving a few treats (which are provided.) He will usually sit in front of you for a few minutes to soak up some initial pets, and then he'll find a comfortable spot to lie down on the rug or the couch.
Winston is highly intuitive. If a heightened emotion arises in the room, he will often encourage you to ground with him. He does this by making steady eye contact, gently placing a paw on you, or making his signature "grumbly" comforting sounds. He’ll show you he feels safe and comfortable with you by leaning in for snugs, snoozing nearby, or asking for belly rubs.
Winston is also great for sensory needs. He has soft fur and a few places that have different textures of fur. Petting Winnie is a great way to anchor yourself in the present and connect with your body.
A quick note on canine boundaries:
Sometimes, Winston might move away during a session. This is never a reflection of you or your work; it is simply Winston taking care of his own needs. His need might be to fully stretch out on the floor, get a drink of water, or cool down after a long snuggle. Between sessions, I always ensure he gets potty breaks, fresh air, water, and time to reset.
Outside of the Office
When he’s off the clock, Winston is a total dog. He loves playing fetch and tug-of-war, swimming, digging holes, ripping up plush toys, and wrestling with his littermate. He is quite the traveler, too and has visited multiple states, loves beach trips, and is a minor celebrity in our neighborhood, where he frequently stops at neighbors' houses for extra love and treats.
Ready to partner with Winston in therapy? Reach out today for a free phone consultation to learn how Winnie adds a layer of comfort and grounding to the process