Meet Toby
Toby is a therapy dog. A therapy dog is a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in places such as hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes and schools. They often work with people who have learning difficulties, and people who are in stressful situations.
A therapy dog's primary job is to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with it and to enjoy that contact. Children in particular enjoy hugging animals. My clients love Toby dearly. Each client has a unique relationship with him.
Toby is Havanese. The Havanese is a breed of dog of the Bichon type developed from the now extinct Blanquito de la Habana ("little white Havanese") of Cuba.
Toby has hair, not fur. This means that he does not shed and he is hypoallergenic. If you have an allergy to dogs, which is related to their fur, you will not react to Toby. If your allergy is related to the saliva, please let me know and I will be sure that Toby is not in the room during your session time.
The Havanese has a playful, friendly temperament. It is at home with young children and other pets and is rarely shy or nervous around new people. Clever and active, it will solicit attention by performing tricks. The Havanese is a very people-oriented dog. Unlike most toy dogs, who are too delicate, nervous, or aggressive to tolerate the often clumsy play of children, the Havanese is a cheerful companion to even younger children.
These are natural companion dogs: gentle and responsive. Affectionate, playful and intelligent, they are very sociable, easy to obedience train and get along well with other dogs.
