USA : Saturday, 19 February 2011 (Local Time)
As hundreds of show dogs dazzled the judges at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog show in New York last week, one purebred pup was busy making his own big splash - outside the ring.
Beau, a striking blue-eyed Siberian husky kept his cool on the runway at the Pre-Westminster Fashion Show, where he modeled doggie couture and won a special achievement award for his work as a therapy dog.
"This is his life's work, and he really does enjoy it," said Beau's owner and pet therapy partner Caroline Loevner, a Macy's brand manager who adopted the 6-year-old beauty from a purebreed rescue group in Pennsylvania.
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The team visits patients in hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities, through partnerships run by the Delta Society and Angel on a Leash, which is a charitable arm of the Wesminster Kennel Club.
Unlike the "real" show dogs, however, Beau wasn't born holding a silver spoon.
In fact, the young dog was rescued from the streets of Pennsylvania, where he was found tied to a fence.
The tide turned for the down-on-his-luck dog, however, when he landed in the hands of rescuers from the Mapaw Siberian Husky Rescue and Referral Service outside Philadelphia
Loevner, who had recently lost her former husky, Nikki, at age 16, spotted Beau's gorgeous photo online and was eager to meet him.
"I immediately knew there was something special about him," she said. "He was very in tuned to people; his ice-blue eyes showed compassion and sincerity."
After settling into his new home on the upper East side, Beau received training and became a registered therapy assistance dog with the Delta Society. The group has pet partnership programs with many hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, rehab centers, schools and other facilities.
A number of other organizations also certify therapy dogs, including the Good Dog Foundation, Intermountain Therapy Animals and Therapy Dogs International. In order to be registered, the dogs must first pass a test demonstrating sound temperament and appropriate behavior.
Bred to be members of a team, Siberian huskies crave companionship and may even become destructive and depressed if not given the attention.
But working as a therapy dog, there is no shortage of affection.
Every Friday night, Beau helps greet kids in the lobby of the Ronald McDonald House, where he remains gentle and calm while being plowed with hugs and kisses. The kids are usually on their way back from treatment at a nearby hospital or are on their way there.
"He's there to break the ice from their normal routine of treatment and to bring comfort," said Loevner.
On Sundays, the duo heads to the Rivington House, a 24-hour care facility for people living with HIV, or Beth Abraham Family of Health Services, where they play games, take walks in the hallway or sit with a resident in the park.
Beau will even cuddle up with bedridden patients, many of whom say it's the most love they've received in quite some time.
The pet partner team has also worked with patients with substance-abuse issues, homeless women with mental illnesses, and elementary school kids who are reluctant to read aloud.
"I love to teach the world the importance of pet therapy and how recycled pets are best," Loevner said.
Story and Foto from : www.dailynews.com (reported by Amy Sacks)
