Golden Girl with a Side Eye: Meet Lainey, Our Newest Therapy Dog Star and Nicolle Hannan!
Woof woof! 👋 It's your favorite four-legged blogger, Murphy the therapy dog, back on the keyboard for another exclusive feature!
Every month, I get to sniff out the best and brightest certified teams in the therapy world, and this month, my tail won't stop wagging over the pure joy brought by a golden girl named Lainey and her dedicated human, Nicolle Hannan.
This Golden Retriever is all heart, but don't let the sweet face fool you—she's got a healthy dose of sass, too! We’re diving into their journey of becoming a powerful, paw-sitive force in the community.
The Therapy Trail: From Puppy Class to Paw-fessional
It takes dedication to join the elite ranks of therapy dogs, and Lainey and Nicolle started early. Nicolle shared that having a therapy dog had been a long-held dream, driven by a desire to "give back to the community and help others."
Nicolle credits their successful launch to a wonderful community, giving a special shout-out to mentor Cindy Prindle, whose encouragement was invaluable. For Nicolle, sharing Lainey's abundant love filled a gap she had been missing, giving them both a strong sense of purpose.
A Moment That Matters: The Golden Stand-Off
Being a therapy dog isn't just about cuddling; sometimes, it’s about showing off those hard-earned skills! Nicolle recalled a particularly heartwarming moment during one of their first visits to a nursing home:
"We were showing the residents some of our tricks. With Lainey still being so young, I was sure she wouldn’t sit and stay as I walked out of her sight, but she DID it, and all the residents loved it! The smile on their faces was so much fun!"
For Nicolle, witnessing residents’ faces light up when they spend time with Lainey is what makes every moment worthwhile. She also loves watching Lainey’s own confidence grow with every successful visit. It’s clear this dynamic duo is making a massive difference, not just for the people they visit, but for each other.
Sass and Snuggles: Lainey's Quirky Secrets
Lainey gives an impeccable side eye! 😂
It’s the kind of expression that perfectly shows off her sassy spirit and reminds everyone that this well-behaved professional is still a fun-loving Golden at heart.
Finally, we had to get the scoop on the most important topic: treats! Lainey is extremely food motivated (a Golden trait, I hear!), and while she loves all treats, she has a clear favorite indulgence: ice cream pup cups!
(A smart girl, that one.)
Thank you, Lainey and Nicolle, for sharing your journey and for all the joy you bring to the community!
