Georgia, Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay

Being named after a Dairy Queen Blizzard is fitting for this large, sweet, caramel-eyed chocolate lab. Georgia Mud Fudge Blizzard, affectionately known as Georgia, has always been a treat to spend time around. She came into our family with a special mission, to assist “mom” in getting over some cognitive impairment.

Georgia, Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay

When she was 12 weeks old Georgia started working with Therapy Dog Trainer, Beth Quinn, who saw in her an amazing capacity to relate to people and make them feel loved and comfortable. She passed her Therapy Dog International certifications. Her “mom” learned to handle her which helped improve the cognitive dysfunction and we wanted to share her gift with others.

One day training in a park Georgia went to the fence and began a dialogue with an elderly resident of the neighboring assisted living facility. This began her ‘work’ with people suffering from dementia. She spends time at nursing homes refining her skills, walking comfortably beside someone with an unsteady gait, or just sitting quietly beside a wheelchair even as noisy activity goes on all around her.

This young dog seems to have an instinct for compassion that you cannot really teach. One lady commented after visiting with Georgia that “she made me want to live again”. Another patient on her deathbed told Georgia “God bless you my friend”. This older friend had shared her ice cream with Georgia on many occasions. She didn’t care to see her family in the end; she just wanted the presence of Georgia. Residents who may not remember their own childrens names will brighten up when Georgia comes into the room and break into the song “Georgia On My Mind”. To witness peace come over the faces of the elderly as they interact with Georgia is to know the transformative power of love.