Retirement and a New Season

 Retirement and a New Season

As a new school year has begun, and Almond Acres students are settling into their routine of new teachers and classrooms and school days ~~ I am totally missing my familiar routine of pet therapy with Chester,  visiting classrooms and all our school friends, the big and the littles.   I miss the teachers, I miss the students with all their hugs and squeals of delight at seeing their favorite furry friend. I miss the teaching part, and the wonder and awe moments, and the laughter moments. I could go on and on. I miss school and all the feels and routine of a new year.

Last year, at the end of the school year, I made the decision to retire my buddy from Pet Therapy and from the Pet Therapy Program we had been doing at Almond Acres Charter Academy for the past 5 years.  sniff sniff

I'd been watching Chester closely in the springtime of the past school year, and I had been noticing many signs that he was nearing his season of retirement. All dogs who are in the line of service, whether Service Dogs or Therapy Dogs,  usually at some point reach this time; when serving is no longer a joy & life giving, but becomes a chore and life-draining. As I watched him closely,  I could see, that after 8+ years of pet therapy and giving out,  Chester was 'there'.  He was tired.

Sigh.

When a perky golden retriever is droopy-eared with no waggy tail, when he would rather look at the door for an exit strategy than engage with his classroom friends, when he is anxious and wanting out, ~~ when these behaviors are consistent during pet therapy visits, it is a sign that he's tired, ready to rest, and retire.  And it is my job as his teammate, whether or not I am ready to retire, to listen well and honor him.   He would do anything I asked of him --- and now it was important for me to honor what he was asking of me.

  So Chester ~~ Happy Retirement, Buddy! ~~ 

You've touched more lives, and warmed more hearts, than I can count. You've opened doors for me that I never would have walked through, had you not taken the first step. We've met countless friends from sea to shining sea.  We've touched lives in  Retirement Communities and Alzheimer Homes, Hospice and Rehab Centers, we've worked with amazing therapists and patients in Physical Therapy-Occupational Therapy-Speech Therapy,  we've spent wonderful days in Schools and Libraries and even written books, I've watched you bring smiles to patients&families, doctors&nurses in Hospitals, we've loved on tender&hurting hearts in Domestic Violence Shelters and Red Cross Shelters and Churches,  we've cheered at the Special Olympics, and  we've tested and mentored dozens of new pet therapy teams  ~~  and with all the memories,  countless faces and friends come to mind who have changed our lives forever.

So now it's a new season ~~ It's  time to celebrate a job well done and a retirement well earned, time to enjoy your Golden Golden Years together. Time to rest!  And romp! Chase seagulls and run on the beach! Swim in the sea and retrieve tennis balls!  Dog paddle in the lake! Sleep in! Long walks! Bike rides with the family! Play with the chickens and kitties and Bailey on the prairie!  Sniff the news in the neighborhood! Snooze in the sunshine! Be a dog!

Chester, it's been my greatest privilege to be your teammate in Pet Therapy. Thank you, my friend, for all you've taught me and given to me these past 9+ years.  You're the best of the best.

Well Done, Buddy.  Well Done!

P.S.
To answer the questions that I've been asked so frequently these past months:

Does this mean Chester will NEVER do pet therapy again? Does retirement mean total retirement?    
Well, he's always 'my' personal therapy dog :) . 
We will from time to time do some outdoor events when I feel it is a good fit for him. And, we will continue to test and mentor new pet therapy teams, but only in an outdoor setting. (My Alliance of Therapy Dogs coworker & friend, Denise Fitzgerald,  handles all of the medical & indoor testing/mentoring).

Is Chester in good health? 
YES!  Excellent! He's almost 10 years old and chases seagulls like a champ.  And he is still waggy,   tenderhearted, and silly as ever.

Will you get another dog so you can continue pet therapy?
One day, but not now.