HISTORY

Several months after Casey and I began our relationship, I happened to be working at my computer and went to the website for Therapy Dogs International.  The actual therapy dog test was printed on the website.  I read the test and my immediate reaction was"Casey could pass this test in her sleep."  Well, the test was being given in about 2 weeks in Mechanicville.  I took Casey.  Neither one of us had any prior experience or training.  Casey passed with "flying colors."

An interesting aside that will give you some insight into Casey's personality:  We went to the therapy dog test in the evening , and just as we came in the front door, one of the evaluators(they are the people who administer the test), sat down in a wheelchair "to take a load off."  Casey immediately made a beeline to the man.  She seems to have a natural affinity for wheelchair bound people.
    


 

ORIGINS

God brought the therapy dog(Casey) and I together in the spring of 2006, just after she turned 7 years old.

At the time, I was working as a pet sitter and had a yearning to get a golden retriever.  I have to admit that if I was a young man or a teenager, Labrador retrievers would be my favorite breed.  Years of experience as a pet sitter had shown me that "Labs" have boundless energy, they want to play ALL the time, and they don't respond to the word "No."  The "Golden" is more laid back and will "cool it" if you tell him so.

I contacted a local golden retriever rescue agency, went through a thorough interview(three women actually came to my home) and application process, and waited.  During the wait, I happened to be taking care of a golden retriever on Middleline Road in Ballston Spa.  Turns out that the golden retriever, Charlie, was Casey's grandson(Don't you love how God works?).

Casey was a breeding dog for a breeder in Charlton, but after multiple litters she was ready for a career change and the breeder was looking for a responsible owner for Casey.  However, my first obligation was to the golden retriever rescue agency.  I immediately called them and when they told me they didn't have a dog for me(God again? Definitely!), it was like "music to my ears".  Now the way was open to "adopt" Casey, and I snapped her up in no time