Soothed by the swift singing of birds and the endearing warmth of a dog’s embrace, sophomore Brooke Blaine enjoys the serenity of her home after an arduous day at school. She not only values the characteristic glow of a pet’s love, but appreciates the indispensable service her dogs provide.
Blaine, like many of her classmates, holds the coveted title of pet owner. Her 15 pets, comprised of snakes, dogs and birds, provide her with a multitude of universal benefits. Blaine feels especially grateful for her three service dogs-in-training Misty, Harley and Demi.
“It’s nice to have my dog as a service dog cause I can take him anywhere,” Blaine said. “A service animal helps its owner so why not have him certified.”
Both of Blaine’s parents are disabled which can bring about a host of challenges, especially when traveling. Not only that, but Blaine’s sister faces the daunting task of leaving home for schooling. Early on, the situation the family found themselves in seemed bleak. Luckily, these concerns were alleviated with the inclusion of dogs who quickly displayed benevolent characteristics that naturally eased the family’s woes. With the canines’ abilities fully realized, Blaine’s dogs soon began the process of becoming certified for service and therapy. To Blaine, the process of certifying her dog was not only swift, but felt like the right thing to do.
“When we first got him he would come sit on you until you felt better,” Blaine said. “It’s just his instinct to help someone feel better.”
Blaine herself admits to sometimes feeling hampered down by the stresses of teenage life. But similar to her kin, Blaine finds solace in the company of her pets, four-legged or two-legged.
“Birds are also a good companion to have and they too feed off emotions,” Blaine said. “Maybe they start dancing or maybe they start singing, they’re very smart and can read a room.”
The heart-felt relationship between human and animal almost never fails to liven up a person’s day, Blaine feels. To her, this universal tail of seamless coexistence across taxonomic boundaries holds truest in the presence of man’s best friend.
“Dogs make people happy,” Blaine said. “Whenever a dog is in the room it typically makes people happier and I like that.”
