Meet Laney The Therapy Dog | CHLA Therapy Dog

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laney The Therapy Dog and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laney, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born on June 27, 2019 in Calabasas, CA. Mom was always looking for a way to give back. She saw the positive benefits that dogs can bring to people. She saw in her own life how dogs have the ability to heal and comfort you by bringing joy especially when you are having a tough time.

She was inspired by a video of the therapy dog program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles which coincidently had a golden retriever. She saw sick kids being comforted by a dog and how it brought them joy despite them going through a difficult time.

A couple years later after her dog died, she set out to get another dog which would eventually become a CHLA therapy dog. And so when she got me, I was on a path to get there.

My mom was looking for a golden retriever since she always wanted one. And given their temperament, she thought they were the perfect breed to be therapy dogs.

From the moment I was born, I was destined to be a therapy dog. I was always patient and gentle. When my mom was looking at my brothers and sisters who were a little aggressive or nippy, I waited my turn and sat till my mom picked me out of the bunch. I fell asleep in her arms and I became the one. At 8 weeks, I got to go home with her.

I started going on Sunday’s to puppy play time to get comfortable with socializing. I started with basic obedience training once a week then moving up to advanced.

At one year’s old, my mom thought I was ready to skip the puppy certification and instead I took the AKC Good Citizen Test. The American Canine Good Citizen is a 10-skill test that teaches good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to their owners.

Soon after, I took my therapy dog team evaluation with my mom at Pet Partners, one of the leading animal therapy certification programs in the country.

It took 3 times before I passed my test. The testing was required before I could even volunteer anywhere. Eventually, I passed but then COVID happened.

We were looking for a way to help despite there being a huge lockdown. And instead of postponing our volunteer work, I started doing virtual animal therapy. I was only one of two dogs offering it at the time. I was I guess you can say a pioneer of virtual animal therapy. I was eventually featured on various media outlets including ABC News for my work.

After COVID, I began volunteering visiting nursing homes, retirement communities, schools, hospitals (Providence St. Joseph’s), and more. Even though I passed my Pet Partners test, I had to hit a specific rating to be able to volunteer there.

Eventually, I would finally have my opportunity. Upon my renewal, I was able to rest and obtain the rating I needed to apply at CHLA. Upon applying, I had realized I tested with equipment that was not used at the hospital. So I had to test without a head halter harness.

So I took my test again and this time at CHLA and passed. Finally after 3 years, I arrived. However, It was still a moment before I could visit on my own. Mom took an orientation class and then we began supervised training for months up until we felt ready to go on our own.

I was so relieved and happy that I was finally able to reach my goal of becoming a CHLA therapy dog, the leading therapy dog program in the country.

My favorite thing to do when I am volunteering at the hospital is to lay on the patient’s bed as they pet me. I see the smiles on their face as they talk to me.

It has been the most rewarding thing in my life to be able to bring joy to kids that are sick and going through a difficult time. All the training and all the work needed to get here was all worth it. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone along my journey in helping me get here.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think that sets me apart from others is my ability to continue moving forward despite the challenges I faced. As frustrating as it was for the training, not passing my tests, Covid, then renewing my certification, then testing again, then testing specifically for CHLA, training, I never gave up.

Always strive to be better. Continue to educate and learn. Most importantly, keep going.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since I live in Burbank, CA, we would stop at some dog friendly places. One of my favorite places is the JustFoodForDogs retail store in Burbank. We would start there and get some food followed by lunch at the Morrison. Followed by a playdate at Bow Wow Bungalow. Get our hair done at Lucky’s Dog Grooming. And lastly get a puppucino at Starbucks.

Also if they are in town during Goldiepalooza I would highly take them.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank everyone that helped and supported me during my journey to become a CHLA therapy dog.

Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@goldenlaney1?_t=8nYLQ1dx6q2&_r=1

Instagram: Goldenlaney

Other: Mygoldenlaney@gmail.com