Thor and Handler Gary

Thor and Handler Gary

Regional Area: West

Gender: Male

Breed: Golden Hearted

To know Thor is to love and be loved by Thor!
Thor and his dad Gary visit nursing homes, hospitals, schools and behavioral hospitals. Behavioral hospitals are their favorite. The patients are usually in a bad emotional state
and Thor has a very calming effect on them. They lie on the floor with him and love to hug him (they aren’t allowed to hug people, but they can hug the dogs). And watching
their tears and smiles makes it all worthwhile for Gary who admits that he tears up as well knowing the happiness that Thor brings them. (The doctor confided that Thor does more good than the group sessions).

The team’s most memorable therapy visit was with a young woman in the outpatient section of the behavioral hospital. Sensing that she was in a dark place, Thor walked in and she started crying. She lay on the floor with him hugging and patting him. Since then, she eagerly awaits Thor’s Wednesday visits, is so much happier, and now wants to become a dog groomer!

At home, Thor loves to swim several times a day, especially when the weather’s warm. He also loves to run. His zoomies are hilarious, according to Gary who warns that it’s best to get out of his way as his “brakes are terrible.”

Endearing and endlessly quirky, Thor, since puppyhood, has always “insisted” on getting a hug before he eats. When Gary kneels in front of him and asks for a hug, he promptly drops his giant head onto his shoulder. And he won’t drink out of a bowl. He flipped his metal bowl over when he was young and will only drink from a hose or a water bottle.

Wherever Gary and Thor go, attention follows. Last year, as they were walking through the local park during the holiday season, they encountered a group of seniors, all of whom had to stop and see Thor. The woman in charge said that Thor should become a therapy dog, explained what it entailed, and the rest, as Gary says, is history.

Gary’s big goal is to get Thor into the VA. As a veteran himself, he’s always wanted to help those who keep the country safe.

Training/Certifications
Basic Manners
Hearts of Gold Therapy Team

Watch our Hearts of Gold Therapy Teams in action: Hearts of Gold YouTube channel
To learn more about what to consider for joining our Hearts of Gold team, click here!

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