Raising Paws That Heal

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – Rehabilitation psychologist Tracy Ransom has seen firsthand the incredible impact therapeutic facility dogs have on patients, visitors and staff in healthcare settings.

So, when joining Good Shepherd Rehabilitation in February 2022, she knew one of her main priorities would be to bring a therapeutic facility dog to Good Shepherd’s new inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

Tracy immediately began the application process with Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit and the largest and oldest service dog provider in the country.

Within her first six months on the Good Shepherd team, she applied to receive a facility dog.

A Family’s Commitment to Service

Meanwhile, Fairfax, Va.-residents Luke and Jennifer Methot embarked on their own journey as Puppy Raisers with the same organization. They had fostered for a different animal rescue in the past, but now, they hoped to show their two children the importance of giving back and helping others through fostering.

“We had a lot of conversations as a family about how incredible it would be to be able to raise a puppy who can go on to help someone in need,” Jennifer said.

The Methot family welcomed Nellie, an 8-week-old golden retriever puppy, into their home and immediately began giving her training, socialization and lots of love.

A Rigorous Training Process

The Methots’ role went far beyond basic puppy care. As dedicated Puppy Raisers, they were tasked with comprehensive training both at home and in public. They diligently exposed Nellie to various environments, transportation methods and walking surfaces — all crucial experiences for a future service dog.

 In addition to daily training, the Methots (pictured, above) also were responsible for attending special classes twice a month with Canine Companions volunteer trainers. Here, the family received additional tools to help incorporate the training Nellie needed into their everyday life while she was in their home.

Their commitment extended nearly 18 months of consistent training, socialization and care — an extraordinary investment of time and energy from the entire family. Transitioning to Professional Service

At 18 months old, Nellie transitioned to Professional Training, a six-month program in Long Island. Here, she received specialized training and evaluation to determine her suitability for service. The standards were exceptionally high. Nearly half of the puppies who enter Professional Training do not graduate due to medical issues, environmental fears or unsuitable temperament.

The Methot family’s outstanding commitment to Nellie’s early training helped prepare her to succeed where many others couldn’t. Through Canine Companions’ careful matching process, Nellie was specifically selected for Tracy and Good Shepherd based on their needs and her unique capabilities.

“The graduation ceremony was emotional for everyone,” Jennifer said. “Our daughter represented our family by turning Nellie over to her new handler, Tracy, during the leash hand-off ceremony.”

Nellie’s New Purpose

Nellie was officially welcomed as Good Shepherd Rehabilitation’s first facility dog on Nov. 11, 2024, after a two-year application and training process that began with the Methot family. Since then, she has been in high demand.

“She loves to go to meetings with me, and the staff love seeing her there,” Dr. Ransom said. “She’s wonderful with patients and knows intuitively what they need, whether it be helping a patient recovering from a spinal cord injury during their physical therapy session, to snuggling alongside a patient in their bed, to providing anxiety reducing pressure by laying across a patient’s lap. I rarely have to use her commands, she just knows.”

Recently, the Methot family visited Good Shepherd to see Dr. Ransom and Nellie. Although the Methot family is taking a break from puppy raising, they aren’t ruling it out in the future, especially considering the vital need for these important volunteers.