Zadok the Awesome Akita

So the secret's out: I'm writing a book. My literary tome will include interviews with cool dogs and their people, which is why I interviewed Emmi and her mom a few weeks ago (click here).

Labradors, golden retrievers and German Shepherds get all the attention as therapy dogs, which is why I want to introduce Zadok, an 81-pound Akita who won the AKC's 2008 Award of Canine Excellence in the therapy division.

Zadok lives right here in Oregon with his two-legged mom, Julie Burk, where they visit local hospitals and prisons. People always seem surprised to see an Akita giving out hugs and kisses, which goes to prove that any breed can be a therapy dog. (On that note, I interviewed someone today in Missouri who said that he's even met therapy mules. Whaaaaaaaaat?!?)

Also, Zadok and Julie are certified with Animal Assisted Crisis Response (AACR), which means they're considered the "extreme team" of therapy. In 2007, they helped students and teachers deal with the aftermath of the Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois shootings.

Did I mention that Zadok is my new hero? He was pretty rambunctious as a youngster and didn't start doing therapy work until he was 4 years old....PHEW! There's hope for me yet.

xoxo - Bella

P.S. Here's another photo of Zadok. Isn't he handsome? I think I have a new crush.

Comments

[Ruby Bleu]

Ohhh, he is a cutie! It's nice to see there is hope for me too!

Lots of Licks, Ruby

P(ee)S: promise me I can get a pawtographed copy of the book when it is done...I wanna be able to say one of my bestest girlfriends is a published author-dogg - W00T

[Julie]

Hi Bella
Thanks for saying nice things about me. I love to do my work and it is so much fun. Maybe someday we can meet. I think your pretty cute to.

Zadok

[Moco]

He is a pup among pups. You are lucky to have interviewed such a great healer.