Dog Helps Those In Need

If you have friends who are afraid of big dogs like Rottweilers you might want to share this article with them from the News-Sentinel/Fort Wayne.com.

This dog is more than just a friend
Zoe, who works with students, is a certified therapy dog.
By K.E. Casey

Some dogs are more than just best friends: They can be therapists, too.

But Nan Ashton and her therapy dog Zoe don’t sit you down on a leather couch and ask you about your childhood. Instead, Ashton and Zoe delight the children of Melanie Dirigs multiple disabilities class at Northrop High School.

There’s just something about dogs and kids,” said Ashton. Its a special relationship.”

After reading an article about therapy dogs in The News-Sentinel, Ashton decided to get Zoe, a 120-pound Rottweiler, trained as a canine companion. She said it was only a few months before she had Zoe certified through the Association of Therapy Dogs. Both Ashton and her husband are trained to handle Zoe in therapy sessions.