Dogs need to work too!
Happy, Cindy’s little poodle, is more than just a beloved pet—she’s a partner in a mission of care. A year ago, Happy passed the rigorous interview to become a therapy dog. Since then, Cindy and Happy have trained side by side, dreaming of joining the therapy dog team to bring comfort and healing to those in need.
More than a decade ago, Debbie Ngai was working as a social worker with teenagers. One day, she took a group of young people to volunteer at a dog shelter. To her surprise, she noticed how the presence of dogs softened the youth—making them more patient, more tolerant. That experience changed her life. Debbie went on to become a certified animal assisted therapist, and with her own dog, Pearl, she began helping children and teens struggling with emotional challenges or special learning needs. Through the simple yet powerful bond between human and dog, she witnessed hearts unlocking and lives being transformed.
But becoming a therapy dog is no easy task. The path involves interviews, classes, internships, and exams. Over the past year, Cindy and Happy have thrown themselves into preparation, working diligently toward their goal. In the end, will they succeed?