Nala is one special poodle. Â She is “employed” as a therapy dog at a Saint Paul, Minnesota nursing home, and the residents couldn’t be happier to have her around. Â She’s very smart, and has even learned how to ride the elevator to get from floor to floor.
“She’s an angel,” said 90-year-old Ruth New as Nala hopped up onto Ruth’s bed and cuddles in next to her. Â “I love her, and she loves me.”
Doug Dawson is Nala’s human, and he is employed at the facility as a trained medications assistant at the home. Â “There’s something about her,” he said in a news interview.
Every morning, Doug brings Nala to work with. Â Once inside the building, he goes off to do his thing, and Nala is off on her mission, to provide love and comfort to the residents. Â She even rides the elevator herself. Â In fact, she prefers to ride solo.
“She’d rather ride it alone than with people, because she knows where she’s going,” Doug said. Â “If she could, she would push the button herself.”
Each day, she seems to set herself to her work as if she actually makes a schedule or plan on who she’ll be visiting and when. Â Each resident gets special time with her, and love the company and affection she provides. Â She’s almost a bit like an actual family member to some of the residents.
“Grandma loves her little girl,” Carmen Flaherty tells Nala. Â “I just love her,” she says. Â “She knows where to come.”
In a bit of an ironic twist, Nala actually was a flop at the first nursing home she was supposed to be a therapy dog. Â Doug said he thinks it may have something to do with her extended stay in a kennel. Â However, at her new place, she’s a natural.
“Where did this little being come from,” Doug said. Â “She’s here for a purpose. Â She really is doing God’s work.”
