Hollywood Pet Star Leo the Labradoodle By Holly Marks
Leo and Dorothy visit West Clinic before COVID-19
see a child who hasn’t smiled in weeks want to snuggle in bed with Leo, or a parent who needs comfort. It makes every visit worthwhile.” During weekly visits to West Clinic, they saw many of the same people. “It was a gift for me to develop ongoing relationships with some wonderful patients and employees,” Dorothy said. “If we weren’t there, patients would ask if Leo was coming. I like to think that our time with the patients gave them some happiness.” Dorothy thinks Leo actually prefers people over dogs. When he’s not working, he still enjoys being a dog, playing chase, running in circles and chewing branches. He gets excited about trips to the park and car rides. Obviously, Leo is a very busy pup; after his adventure-filled days, he loves to sleep in one of his beds around the house or cuddle with Dorothy and Rob. Due to some arthritic problems over the past year, Leo goes to rehab at Pet Fit to help keep him strong on his paws. “Dr. Roxanna Caraballo, a certified Canine Rehabilitation specialist, and her team have been invaluable” said Dorothy. “Leo loves them and takes everything in stride.” “I hit the jackpot with Leo,” Dorothy said. When Leo isn’t working: He loves chasing squirrels, playing chase, running in circles, chillin’ in the front yard and running around Shelby Farms Dog Park. Favorite treat: Hollywood Feeds’ brown jerky made in Georgia. Favorite Fans: Leo has been such a gentle loving soul to my four grandchildren, especially our two-year-old Nora, who calls to FaceTime with him every morning.
Meet 9 ½-year-old Leo, a caramel-colored Labradoodle full of charm and talent. Mom, Dorothy Goldwin, and her husband, Rob, got him when he was just a wee pup. “We quickly discovered how gentle Leo was and realized he was meant to be a therapy dog,” Dorothy explained. She reached out to her friend, Jo Anne Fusco, who helps oversee West Tennessee Therapy Dogs, to find out what they needed to do. They trained for almost a year. “I’d take Leo to Hollywood Feed at Poplar and Yates to give him the opportunity to practice commands and walk by people and other dogs and learn not to react. The staff was wonderful and always gave him treats,” said Dorothy. “Leo finally earned his Canine Good Citizenship Certificate, we took the tests to become a therapy dog and happily passed,” she continued. Leo knows when it is time to work. He runs to the door when Dorothy asks if he’s ready to go. He even has his own business cards! Pre-COVID-19, the duo visited nursing homes, LeBonheur Children’s Hospital and West Clinic. “He’s so calm with the residents, and they love being able to pet him and talk to us,” she said. “It is so heartwarming to 16
February/March 2021
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A puppachino at the end of his busy rounds at West Clinic makes his day complete.
