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Twelve years ago, Smiley, a Golden Retriever, was born. A victim of the puppy mill industry, Smiley was born with dwarfism and without any eyes. After two years in a cage and facing death, Joanne George rescued Smiley – but it wasn’t long before Smiley became the rescuer, an inspiration to everyone he meets.
“People were so drawn to him, so inspired by him.” George told CBS News. “I realized this dog has to be a therapy dog — I have to share him.”
Joanne had Smiley trained and certified as a therapy dog with the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. Now, Smiley spends hours each and every day visiting patients at hospitals and nursing homes, spending time with special needs kids during a library reading program, and visiting seniors in the retirement home.
He leaves a lasting impression on each person he meets.
He teaches people to smile. To not dwell on their past, what has happened to them, or the way they were born.
“Dogs can come back from anything, they forget their past,” George said. “We as humans, dwell on the past.”
