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April 18, 2008

Dog doles out a special kind of medicine

By Tanner Kent

MANKATO — Murphy is not the typical therapist.

Instead of tweed and spectacles, a golden coat and wet nose. An outstretched paw and wagging tail in lieu of pen and pad.

And Murphy’s clients aren’t the typical patients, either. In fact, they are not clients at all, but students at Bridges Elementary.

And when Dr. Murphy is in, students clamor for an appointment.

“There seems to be a bond between animals and children that is just amazing,” said Bridges teacher Peggy Morris. “They relate to each other.”

A year ago, however, Murphy was the one who needed therapy.

Either abandoned or lost, the golden retriever was found about 20 pounds underweight and with serious cases of heartworm and ear infection. Even surviving his rehabilitation was no guarantee.

Meanwhile, dog lover Walter Roberts was hoping to begin working with a licensed therapy dog. A counseling professor at Minnesota State University, Roberts’ professional studies had convinced him of their value.

Roberts and Murphy were united through Homeward Bound, a rescue and adoption agency, in April 2007. And it didn’t take long for Roberts to realize Murphy was just the dog he was looking for.



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