What are ranch dogs and their male owners doing in class at Seminole State College?  We began our Therapy Dog class at the college this week with a full class and most of them are men; an unusual situation.

     One of the students is a long-time cowboy  and his dog, Kickapoo, a one year old German Shepherd Dog. They live on a ranch and do not come into town very often so attending the Therapy Dog class is Kickapoo’s first experience with being around so many people.  Kickapoo stayed right by his owner’s side and appeared very comfortable being petted everyone in the class; an important skill needed for a good Therapy Dog.  At eighty- eight years old Kickapoo’s owner wants him to become a certified Therapy Dog so he can take him when he visits his friends in the nursing home. He said most of his friends have lived their lives around animals and he is sure visits from Kickapoo will be good for their spirits. We know meeting  this man and his dog was good for our spirits.