“He simply chooses to return the love.”
Michelle Schaffer saved Aladdin, the therapy pit bull who endured horrible abuse and neglect.
She trained him as a therapy and crisis response dog.
This adorable, helpful dog has an almost sixth-sense-like ability to recognize when people are in pain and comfort them.
Schaffer tells Daily Paws, “He always seems to know who is in the most need. And I believe it’s because he went through so much and was rehabilitated through love. And I think he simply chooses to return the love.”
In 2013, Aladdin the therapy pit bull was seen starving, with damaged legs, 12 missing teeth, an injured tail, and open wounds on the side of the road.
The animal shelter that took Aladdin in approached Schaffer, who had previously taken in starving foster dogs. Even though Aladdin’s health was so poor that Schaffer doubted he would live, she decided to take him.
The puppy miraculously survived and is now thriving in his forever home.
Schaffer added, “I never expected him to stay, but he never left.”
She admits that their first few months together following the adoption weren’t good. Aladdin was still afraid of humans, but Schaffer claims that the more attention and love he received, the more he opened up to her.
She claims that after around six months together, Aladdin began to adopt a new attitude, one that was outgoing and friendly.
After witnessing such a dramatic transformation from the fearful dog who had arrived at her home, Schaffer decided to have Aladdin pass a therapy dog exam to explore whether his newfound zeal could be put to use assisting those in need.
Aladdin turned out to be a perfect fit for therapy work. He’s been an ambassador dog at the Ronald McDonald House for nearly eight years.
Aladdin has also visited victims and first responders of natural disasters and incidents such as the Orlando nightclub shootings as a crisis response dog. According to Schaffer, Aladdin has the same instinct for recognizing hurting people who need him in these situations.
Aladdin encounters people who need comfort in various places, not only at work.
Schaffer added, “He has met so many people and impacted many lives. None of it would have occurred if it hadn’t been for a rescue pulling him.”
You can follow Aladdin on Facebook to keep up with him.
Thanks to Daily Paws for amazing story and video.
Great Dane Helps Boy With Cerebral Palsy Walk Again
There are good days and bad days, but all bad days turn into good days with a Great Dane beside you. This is a story of Hunter VanBrocklin, a fourth-grade student diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at two, and his dog Wendy.
Continue Reading |