The Niki Effect

 

You may be curious as to why a retired man, standing six feet eight inches tall and weighing two hundred thirty pounds, would choose a small eleven-pound Maltese/Shih Tzu to be a therapy dog.

It all started on February 28, 2019, when my wife and I decided it was time to welcome a new member into our family: possibly a French bulldog. We considered adopting a rescue dog, but ultimately opted to buy a puppy from a trusted breeder. When we arrived, a tiny pup caught our eye. She was lying on her back, tail thumping, looking up at us with pure playfulness and trust. At that moment, all thoughts of a French bulldog vanished, and just like that, she was in the car on the way to her new home. We named her Niki, and for the next few years, we had wonderful adventures taking her on trips in our RV.

Sadly, my wife passed away, leaving just Niki and me. I remember how much my wife valued Niki's visits in hospice. Reflecting on this, I realized that Niki and I could spread joy to others through therapy dog training, honoring my wife's memory in the process.

After looking into various therapy dog programs, I found Certified Therapy Dog, Inc., whose methods and structure truly impressed me. By the end of our first training session, I was confident I had made the right choice. So far, in the past 6 months we have visited JAFCO - Children’s Ability Center, Sonata Boca Raton, and Meridian. Brighton Gardens has become our favorite spot since we reside in the Boca Del Mar neighborhood.

Niki’s gentle disposition and sweet face makes her an ideal, non-threatening companion for those seeking comfort, and she has filled a significant void in my life. In this way, the little dog my wife adored from the very beginning helps me keep her memory alive with every smile we share.