Meet CMTM's Therapy Dog Friends!
Woof woof! Have you ever met a therapy dog?
Here at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, we have four certified therapy dog friends who visit us with their handlers once a month. These special guests spend their visits making new friends, listening to stories, and giving lots of sweet snuggles to anyone who wants them. Whether you are meeting a dog for the first time or own a dog yourself, all CMTM visitors are welcome to greet our friendly, four-legged friends.
Therapy Dog Meadow makes a new friend in the CMTM aquarium. Photo: CMTM
What makes a dog a “therapy dog”?
A therapy dog is a dog who has been specially trained to provide comfort, affection, and support to people in a variety of situations. Unlike service dogs, who are trained to perform specific tasks to aid individuals with disabilities, therapy dogs are trained to offer emotional support and companionship to those who need it.
Therapy dogs undergo training to ensure that they have the right temperament and behavior for this important job, a process that typically takes between six to eight weeks to complete. They are tested for friendliness, patience, and the ability to remain calm in higher-stress environments. Once certified, therapy dogs work alongside their handlers (typically their owners), who guide them during therapy sessions.
Therapy dogs can have a positive impact on a wide range of communities, often visiting patients in hospitals, residents in nursing homes, students in schools, and individuals dealing with stress or trauma. Interacting with therapy dogs has been shown to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and improve overall emotional and mental health.
Want to get to know CMTM therapy dogs Bruce, Millie, Meadow, and Louise Cheese? Read on!
Bruce
Name: Bruce
How old are you? 8 years old
What's your favorite treat? Pizza crust!
What's your doggy superpower? My superpower is my kisses. I can give 100 kisses if you want. I am also really good at showing you where I like to be pet or scratched. You will know this because I will put myself on your lap or lean into you.
How did you find your human/humans? My humans adopted me as a puppy. I was so cute that people thought I just might be a teddy bear. Now I am just as handsome as can be.
Therapy Dog Bruce loves to give kisses. Photo: CMTM
Millie
Name: Millie
How old are you? 5 years old.
What’s your favorite treat? Homemade treats are my favorite!
What’s your doggy superpower? I'm very good at resting my face in your lap!
How did you find your human/humans? My humans are very special to me! They found me at Poetic Gold Farm in Falmouth.
Therapy Dog Millie uses her doggy superpower to bring joy to residents at a local nursing home. Photo: Gail Allyn
Meadow
Name: Meadow
How old are you? 4 years old
What's your favorite treat? Peanut butter and popcorn!
What's your doggy superpower? In a group of humans, I seek out each one so everyone has a chance to touch my soft fur!
How did you find your human/humans? My mom picked me out of a litter with my brothers and sisters, and I am so happy to have therapy work as my job!
Therapy Dog Meadow loves to receive pets from humans of all ages! Photo: CMTM
Louise Cheese
Name: Louise Cheese
How old are you? 4 years old.
What's your favorite treat? Kale and cheese, of course!
What's your doggy superpower? My superpower is making people smile and relax.
How did you find your human/humans? My human mom was actually there when I was born. She helped deliver me and my siblings. Then she visited me every week until the day she brought me home.
Therapy Dog Louise Cheese as a newborn puppy. Photo: Jamie Sprague
Did you know…
According to National Geographic, there are more than 50,000 certified therapy dogs in the United States of America!
Therapy Dog Bruce enjoys storytime with friends at CMTM. Photo: CMTM