Peggy-Ilean: Geneseo’s resident new therapy dog
Find Peggy around campus; she loves to say hi!
Photo courtesy of Knight’s Life Editor Daisy Sheldon
Peggy-Ilean is a beautiful therapy dog who has three feet, and is an up-and-coming gem to visit with on SUNY Geneseo campus. The American Animal Hospital Association defines a therapy dog as a dog who “promotes improvement in human physical, social, emotional, or cognitive function, and functions in either group or individual settings.” They add that “By providing comfort and affection, therapy dogs play a role in animal-assisted intervention (AAI) that helps people with or without diagnosed or physical conditions.”
Rebecca Lawrence, Peggy’s handler, said that at only a few hours old, Peggy’s leg got caught in a piece of string and caused her to lose her foot. Due to Peggy losing her foot so shortly after she was born, she did not have to go through a major adjustment period because she learned to move with only three paws.
She is four and a half years old and her fifth birthday is coming up in February. She is a pure-bred English Chocolate Labrador Retriever. English Labrador Retrievers are known for being fast learners and friendly, making them popular pets. They originated in Newfoundland during the 1800’s and were sought after for their hunting and fishing skills. Lawrence told The Lamron that they are typically shorter and stockier than Labrador Retrievers.
Lawrence decided to become Peggy-Ilean’s handler because of her familiarity with the breeder and her interest in making Peggy a service dog. Lawrence’s brother has three English Labrador Retrievers from the same breeder. Since she is a special needs dog, Lawrence and the breeder thought that she would prosper at becoming a therapy dog. The breeder offered Peggy to Lawrence and everything fell into place.
Peggy went through extensive training to become a certified therapy dog. She completed the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen course, where she was trained on 10 key skills, including accepting a friendly stranger, walking through a crowd, and reaction. She completed the lessons under a trainer who specializes in therapy dogs. During training, some of the positions and motions were modified to support Peggy’s missing foot.
A common misconception is that therapy dogs are equivalent to service dogs in regards to legal status and services. The American Kennel Club states, “Service dogs are dogs who are specially trained to perform specific tasks to help a person who has a disability…Service dogs stay with their person and have special access privileges in public places such as on planes, restaurants, etc. Therapy dogs, the dogs who will be earning the AKC Therapy Dog™ title, do not have the same special access as service dogs.”
When asked what advice she would give to others wanting to become a handler for a therapy dog, Lawrence detailed how important it is to make sure your training is a perfect match for you and your dog. It is a partnership and the focal point is the required training, which can cause conflicts between handlers and trainers if they have different views.
Peggy is exceptionally special at making an impact on the people around her. Lawrence spoke on how gentle and loving Peggy-Ilean was when Lawrence’s father was staying with them. She brings a plethora of joy and matches the energy of those around her; she knows what everyone needs. Peggy can be spotted at some of her favorite stores, including T.J. Maxx, CountryMax, and Harbor Freight. At CountryMax, Peggy has garnered her own fan club where upon entering, she is greeted by her CountryMax friends. She has also made appearances in the MacVittie Union Ballroom for several events.