Osceola and Handler Paul

Regional Area: North West

Breed: Labrador Retriever Blend

Oh, to be loved by Osceala!

Fondly nicknamed Oscie and his dad Paul have been visiting Terrace Health and Rehabilitation Center and Ronald McDonald House. Oscie likes the Terrace best because they walk around and visit people, and since they live very close to the Terrace, it will probably be this team’s favorite place.

On their second visit to the Terrace, Paul encountered a former University of Florida faculty colleague. Oscie is known as an FSU Seminole dog (he even has an FSU collar), and the staff and patients who are ‘noles are always happy to see him. There was a patient in emotional distress, and Oscie brought her comfort. That made both Paul and Oscie feel good.

At home, Oscie enjoys going on one or two mile walks before spending much of his time relaxing in his two favorite spots: his parents’ closet and on their bed. But after his parents adopted Remi, a young golden retriever, Oscie has shown a renewed interest in playing.

Known for his larger than life personality, sweet Oscie keeps his parents in stitches. At night, he starts by sleeping in their closet. Then at 2 AM, he wants to join them on the bed, but he whines and whimpers as if he needs permission. They “invite” him up, but if
his dad has to push him out of his space, he growls in protest. The 180-degree attitude change is funny.

Oscie is a professional counter surfer in the kitchen: nothing is safe closer than two feet from the edge. He once extracted all 12 muffins from a baking pan on top of the stove without disrupting the pan. And when his mom recently brought home sandwiches, put hers on the counter and turned away, they were gone in 10 seconds!

Paul now hopes to have regular pet therapy visits at the University of Florida medical school where he was on the faculty for 37 years before retiring in May. “It would be fun to provide my former students with some comfort around exam time,” he says.

Training/Certifications
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
Hearts of Gold Therapy Team

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