Cooper The Boxer And His Person Chuck
Except for a stint in the military, Chuck Bristow can’t remember a life without dogs. But what got him into therapy dog work was a Boxer foster fail named Cassius. When someone mentioned that, due to his friendly nature, “he might make a good therapy dog”, Chuck trained Cassius on his own and then took the test to get him certified. For years, they visited hospitals and in-patient hospice facilities.
When he wanted to visit the pediatric wing at Doylestown Hospital (now Penn Medicine Doylestown Health), Chuck learned that those visits were through Roxy™ Therapy Dogs. That’s how his relationship with Roxy started. Cassius and Chuck also went on to visit medically fragile children at Pedia Manor through Roxy.
After Cassius, and a few more Boxer rescues, Chuck was getting ready to retire when his wife posed an important question. “What are you going to do to stay active when you retire?” He decided to find another candidate for therapy dog work.
Through his decades of volunteer work with Adopt a Boxer rescue, Chuck had built long-standing relationships. And, through his work with Cassius and other fosters he knew not every dog is suited to be a therapy dog. So, he reached out and told the rescue exactly what he was looking for.
Fate Steps In
After visiting a dog in Long Island that wasn’t a fit for therapy dog work, he got a call. There was a rescue transport headed to NY from Arkansas and it was late. The volunteer for Chuck’s rescue had to leave. Could Chuck wait for the van and pick up the Boxer for their rescue?
Cooper came two steps out of the back of the van, jumped up on his back feet, put his paws around Chuck’s hips and his head on Chuck’s chest. And Chuck thought, “Okay, this dog has got possibilities!”
Chuck brought Cooper home and soon learned that the personality for therapy dog work was there. He enrolled in a local canine manners class. Cooper, while a class clown, just got it. The team went on to earn their Canine Good Citizen title and Therapy Dog Certification.
A Heavy, But Rewarding Workload
Cooper and Chuck are now visiting patients at Doylestown, Abington, Penn, and CHOP hospitals as well as a local women’s shelter. Through Roxy Therapy Dogs, they participate in the Courthouse Companionship program.
“Cooper loves to go anywhere and we’re out there three to four days a week,” said Chuck. “I had an intense work life running an engineering company and working as a paramedic, but now, I’ve never been happier in my whole life. I’m doing what I want to do, everyone’s always happy to see us, and I’ve got a great wingman by my side.”
About Cooper
Cooper isn’t just a therapy dog, he’s a beloved family pet. In his spare time, he’s a typical Boxer. He’s a goofy, zoomie dog who likes to show everyone how fast he can run and how high he can jump. He’s also a connoisseur of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
Chuck’s advice to those interested in getting started with therapy dog work
Don’t be surprised (or afraid to say) that this type of work makes YOU feel good. So, finding the time becomes important to you because it becomes rewarding for those you visit and for you.
