Odin is a Labrador/Pyrenees mix who was found neglected and tied to a tree in North Carolina. Little did he know at the time of his rescue that he would go from being unwanted and uncared for to being a highly sought after therapy dog in southeastern Virginia. Today, he often makes his rounds with his owner/handler Sue LaDoucer to visit first responders, hospitals, and anywhere else his furry head and calm demeanor can help people forget about their stress, pain, and/or loneliness.
Dark Dog Posse had a chance to chat with Sue about Odin and his journey to becoming a local celebrity and hero in his own right.
Tell us about Odin’s backstory?
Odin came from Northampton County Animal Shelter in Jackson, North Carolina. What we know is that he spent his life outdoors tied up and was found near I-95 in Northampton County. At the shelter, Andy Smith, Northampton County Health Director, immediately contacted Julia Kay at Village Dog Resource in Virginia because he knew that Odin was a special dog.
How did you come to adopt him?
After losing my beloved yellow lab Harley to bladder cancer in May 2019, I had this empty void in my life and never thought that I would ever have another dog who would help me out as much as he did in my life. All my friends and family knew how important he was to me and losing him was very difficult. Fast forward to December 2021, Odin was featured on Village Dog Resource’s Facebook page for adoption. Numerous wonderful friends tagged me in the post as they saw how much he looked like my beloved Harley. At first, I wasn’t sure that I could adopt another dog as I already had four other rescues in my home that I adopted, and I was afraid I would never find the right dog to help fill the emptiness I felt in my heart. But after hearing about his story and seeing his sweet face and learning about his laid back personality, I decided to take the chance and open up my home to this big guy. It was the best decision I ever made!
How did Odin become a certified therapy dog?
Since Odin spent his entire life outside chained to a tree, he didn’t have any type of basic dog training. Odin did not know how to play with a toy, he did not know how to be a dog at all, and did not know how to interact with other dogs. So, I signed him up for a Basic Obedience class through On Command Dog Training. During this six-week class, it didn’t take him long to catch on to the basic commands. He did so well that we passed this first class and were able to move on to an Intermediate class. After that six-week class, because Odin was doing so well with other dogs and his commands, I decided to put him into the next Advanced training class where he aced it! Because of Odin’s laid back personality and his love for human contact, his teacher and I thought that we would try to take the Certified Therapy Dog class and see how he would do. Out of the 10 dogs in his class, he was one of three that passed the class on the first try! Needless to say, I was so proud of all of our hard work in the total of 24 weeks of training.
What extra training was needed to make him a certified therapy dog?
Odin had to pass a list of requirements to become a certified therapy dog during his six-week course. A few of the requirements were:
– No jumping on people /No licking.
– Must always be in control of your dog and they must be on-leash at all times.
– Must be able to walk away from your dog out of sight without your dog panicking (this is in case of any emergencies where you and your dog may be separated).
– Basic obedience and a calm behavior.
For a full list of requirements, you can contact On Command Dog Training or reach out to the American Society of Canine Trainers. Odin is certified through American Society of Canine Trainers (ASCT) and his certificate is renewed annually ($95.00).
Was the process expensive?
The process was not very expensive at all. On Command offers a variety of classes according to your dog’s needs. They are very helpful, and their classes are usually under $200 for a six-week class.
How did you decide where you wanted to take him once he was certified?
Once Odin was certified through On Command Dog Training, we were provided with a list of places that welcomed therapy dogs. The list was a great resource to find where we would feel comfortable going. Odin is registered with Riverside Hospital, Mary Immaculate Hospital, and Maryview Hospital. We have also had visits at Hampton Roads Academy visiting the students before their exams; Newport News Police North Precinct visiting the officers; Newport News 911 Dispatch center visiting the dispatch staff, and some of the military personnel at Langley Air Force Base. We are always looking for more opportunities and events to go to.
It sounds like you both love it. What does he like best about it and what do you like best? What does it do for the people you visit?
Odin absolutely loves every person he meets. He is a big teddy bear and just wants to be petted all day! He is so laid back and because of his large size (135 pounds) he is the perfect height to walk up next to a hospital bed and the patient can reach over and pet him without straining. Seeing the smiles on the staff and patients when we walk into a room is the best feeling. We have had some special visits with patients who had no family visiting them. Seeing their faces light up when we walk in and even seeing some of them cry has had such a heartwarming feeling. It’s very rewarding and sad at the same time.
For people who are interested in certifying their pets as therapy dogs, is there anything else they should know?
When doing therapy visits in the hospitals you may see some unexpected things typical in a hospital setting to include injuries, people at their worst moments in life, etc. This is almost always expected when visiting the Emergency Rooms. However, we have never been in any situation where we felt uncomfortable. There is always a full staff taking care of these patients.
What’s next for you and Odin the Therapy Dog?
Odin and I are hoping to add some more places to visit such as nursing homes, fire stations, and schools. There is such an overwhelming need for volunteers, and we plan to do our part in providing love and comfort to those in need as much as we can.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Odin has his own social media page on Facebook and Instagram if anyone is interested in following his therapy visits! His Facebook page is: Odin – Therapy Dog and his Instagram is: odin_therapy_dog6.