Age: 15 years
Breed: Golden Retriever
Status: Angel
Received Wings: November 2023
Our beloved GRRMF therapy old gold Jake went to the Rainbow Bridge Nov 19, 2023. Cancer claimed another golden. Fly free Jake. We will miss seeing the joy you brought to all the children and adults whose lives you touched.
“Jake loves visiting the Sullivan Partnership School every Tuesday,” explains Vicki. “As soon as I put on his Hearts of Gold vest, he gets very excited because he knows just where we’re going!”
Vicki and Danny adopted the 1 ½-year-old golden from GRRMF in 2009, and although they’ve only been a therapy team for 9 months, they’re already seasoned, respected and well-received pros.
Not only do Vicki and Jake visit the Sullivan Partnership School/Metropolitan Ministries, but both Vicki and Danny bring him to several clinics at the Moffitt Cancer Hospital, where all of the patients revel in his company, rewarding his welcome presence with warm, wide smiles of delight.
‘While Jake truly enjoys visiting both facilities, he especially loves reading with the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders at the Sullivan Partnership 
School, who, in turn, love him and pamper him with copious pets,” Vicki says. “Seeing the happiness he brings to these children (many of them live at the Metropolitan Ministries facility because they are homeless) fills me with immense satisfaction and joy because I taught underprivileged, inner city children many years ago.”
His weekly visits mean so much to these children, some of whom had dogs of their own. Cherished pets their families had to sadly give up when they went to live at Metropolitan Ministries. When Jake walks into each classroom, every child is waiting eagerly for the opportunity to read to him and give him the pets he appreciates and adores. For many of them, he’s a substitute for their own beloved dogs.
Vicki and Danny are all set to put on Jake’s Hearts of Gold vest for more rewarding visits. This trio is just getting started giving back to the greater Tampa Bay area!
Training/Certifications:
Basic Manners
Tricks
Project PUP certification
Hearts of Gold Therapy Team
