One of the things we love most about animals has to be their amazing ability to read people’s emotions.
Dogs in particular seem to always be aware when we’re having a bad day, and know exactly what to do to make us feel better.
For this reason, over the past few years, more and more dogs are being trained up as therapy dogs – clever pups who can recognize when their owner is feeling a certain way and try their hardest to solve the problem.
Therapy dogs are great healing companions for people with health conditions such as cancer, post-traumatic stress syndrome, and dementia, as well as more general psychological issues like anxiety.
The adorable Corgi in this next story is proof that no matter how you’re feeling, therapy dogs will always be the first to know about it!
Cora the Corgi was rescued from her previous family a few months before her 8th birthday.
She had been bred to produce countless litters over her lifetime, and when her last litter produced only one healthy puppy, she could no longer be of service to her old owners.
Thankfully, Cora was fostered by a woman named Madison Palm, who quickly went onto adopt her.
Despite having some health issues, Cora had a lot of love to give, and Madison immediately decided to get her trained up as a therapy dog.
“Cora’s personality is so amazing; she is a lover,” Madison told The Dodo. “She is always right next to me and always keeps a close eye if she’s not. If I’m not available she’ll pick the next closest lap to sit on and nudges your hand unless you are petting her at all times. She is SO sweet and that is usually the first thing people say about her. Her gentle and kind nature never goes unnoticed.”
Cora loves to make friends with strangers wherever she goes, so when she and Madison were waiting at the airport together one day, Cora began her usual regime of socializing.
Only this time, Cora spotted a stranger who needed her more than anyone else did – and her therapy instincts immediately kicked in.
There was a man sitting by himself, and he seemed a little glum.
“Cora just kind of walked around in our little seating area and said hi to everyone who was walking by and sitting near us,” Madison recalled. “She was taking a snooze so I let go of her leash briefly while I relaxed and had a snack; that is when she woke up and snuck over to him. Before I could even call her she was already at his feet being loved on.”
Cora was being so affectionate with the man that Madison called over to check if he was okay with dogs.
The answer she received was heartbreaking.
“I asked him if she was bothering him and with a somber face and watery eyes he said, ‘No, no; I lost my dog last night,’” Madison recalled. “He scratched behind her ears, patted her on the back and was whispering how cute she was. He took out his phone to snap a photo and she sat directly in front of him facing him and staying perfectly still for it.”
It seemed that Cora had known how much this man had needed some special love and affection – and despite the fact that she’d never met him before, she was all too happy to help.
Madison captured the sweet moment in a couple of photographs, and it’s clear to see from the man’s expression just how much those short few minutes spent with Cora had cheered him up.
“She knows who is hurting and she knows who needs her. I’ve never questioned that,” Madison said. “I am blown away by her on a daily basis. Who knew a dog who was unloved for seven and a half years could have so much love to give?”
We all need a Cora in our lives!
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Source: the.corgi.cora, The Dodo
