Renko, a really lovely Bernese Mountain Dog, was born on June 18, 2014. When he was 12 weeks old he was allowed to go home to his new owners Diane and Rudi in Schoten. On arrival Renko met Andy, Diane and Rudi’s son. Andy has needed special care since he was born and is in a wheelchair.
There was an immediate connection between Renko and Andy. Very soon when Andy came home from day, Renko was already waiting for him and would sit on a chair to be close to him.
One day a miracle happened! One that Diane and Rudi never expected and will never forget. When Andy came home, Renko was already sitting in the chair, ready to greet him. And then it happened … Andy looked at Renko and Andy smiled at him! Andy responded to the presence of Renko! It was incredible. Andy gave his parents one of the best moments of their lives with this smile. Diane and Rudi still get very emotional when they tell this story.
They wondered if Renko could help even more to improve their contact with Andy. Diane and Rudi went looking for help and soon ended up at Toscanzahoeve and DierenActie vzw. We suggested that Renko could be trained as a passive therapy animal.
Renko as a passive therapy dog for Andy, which was exactly what they were looking for!
Together with therapy animal trainer, Marijke, they looked into how Renko could help Andy.
In the meantime the training continues but it is a fun activity for Diane and Rudi to be able to work as a family with Andy and Renko.
Renko means the whole world to Diane and Rudi. He makes life a little more bearable for them and the interaction that exists between Andy and Renko cannot be denied!
Renko, a really lovely Bernese Mountain Dog, was born on June 18, 2014. When he was 12 weeks old he was allowed to go home to his new owners Diane and Rudi in Schoten. On arrival Renko met Andy, Diane and Rudi’s son. Andy has needed special care since he was born and is in a wheelchair.
There was an immediate connection between Renko and Andy. Very soon when Andy came home from day, Renko was already waiting for him and would sit on a chair to be close to him.
One day a miracle happened! One that Diane and Rudi never expected and will never forget. When Andy came home, Renko was already sitting in the chair, ready to greet him. And then it happened … Andy looked at Renko and Andy smiled at him! Andy responded to the presence of Renko! It was incredible. Andy gave his parents one of the best moments of their lives with this smile. Diane and Rudi still get very emotional when they tell this story.
They wondered if Renko could help even more to improve their contact with Andy. Diane and Rudi went looking for help and soon ended up at Toscanzahoeve and DierenActie vzw. We suggested that Renko could be trained as a passive therapy animal.
Renko as a passive therapy dog for Andy, which was exactly what they were looking for!
Together with therapy animal trainer, Marijke, they looked into how Renko could help Andy.
In the meantime the training continues but it is a fun activity for Diane and Rudi to be able to work as a family with Andy and Renko.
Renko means the whole world to Diane and Rudi. He makes life a little more bearable for them and the interaction that exists between Andy and Renko cannot be denied!
Well done Renko, a passive therapy animal in training.
Want to learn more about Therapiedier vzw? Read more here
Also Inge Pauwels’ book is super interesting “Therapy for and by animals”. Find it on Amazon
