Meet Goosey: The Inspirational Therapy Dog

Goosey, formerly known as Goose, arrived into the care of The Cavalier Rescue on December 6, 2023 weighing a whopping 6 pounds and not quite 2 years old. For reference, Goosey’s now healthy weight is double that amount. He had been brought into a veterinarian’s office in Mississippi for a suspected anal gland abscess and recognized failure to thrive. The owner asked for him to be euthanized.

Fortunately for Goose, a kind hearted vet tech intervened, contacted rescue, and Goosey hitched a ride to Louisiana to get the urgent care he needed.

Goose remained in his foster home for 7 months; the time it took to address all of his medical needs which were quite exhausting due to the amount of neglect he endured. Severely anemic, he was either wearing sweaters or constantly swaddled because he was so cold. We think that’s why he continues to enjoy being held like a baby for “rockabye Goosey”- his signature party trick during therapy visits.

When medically cleared and having maintained his goal weight, Goose was adopted by his foster family on the date of his 2nd birthday. His mom added the “y” to his name in honor of their first blenheim cavalier, Lucy, affectionally called Lucy Goosey.

Goosey demonstrates the power of kindness on a daily basis. He is grateful for his second chance.

He teaches us that words aren’t necessary when soft ears, a gentle wag and a steady heart are present. For the hospital patients he visits, he delivers comfort that cannot be found in a medication bottle. For the children too shy to read aloud, he gently encourages without judgement giving the quiet confidence to overcome any insecurity.

His rise in popularity as a therapy dog has been meteoric, sailing through basic obedience and achieving the AKC Canine Good Citizen Advanced title shortly thereafter. He is a member of the Louisiana Capital City Obedience Club and the Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy team. He recently added the Therapy Dog Novice title to his resume and is busy working on the Therapy Dog Advanced title- a required 100 documented therapy visits.

Goosey is also currently studying for the Reading Education Assistance Dogs test and will begin those special visits this Fall, making he & his handler/mom Aimee the first R.E.A.D. team in the south Louisiana area, if not the entire state. This additional training will qualify him for the Animal Assisted Therapy Dog certification.

When Goosey isn’t “working”, he enjoys hunting lizards with his best friend and sister, Nellie.

Goosey’s Journey to Greatness

Take a photo walk down memory lane with one of the very first photos of Goosey arriving into rescue to the dapper gentleman he is today.