Disqualified from the B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs training program because of his allergies, Jango香蕉视频直播檚 budding career as a service dog was over. But thankfully for the caring canine, a new equally fulfilling role was just around the corner.
Adopted in October 2023 by Cheryl Diebel, director of New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community in View Royal, the two-year-old golden Labrador now works as a qualified assisted therapy dog at the centre.
香蕉视频直播淢y job is to bring joy, healing and peace to an amazing group of men,香蕉视频直播� "says" the dog in his Instagram bio. 香蕉视频直播淎s a working therapy dog, I take my job very seriously, but I still have fun.香蕉视频直播�
The centre, which is part of Our Place Society, is a long-term residential treatment facility for men over the age of 19 who live with acute and chronic substance use issues. Priority is given to men who have experienced homelessness and involvement with the criminal justice system.
Alongside the programs at the centre and the support the men offer each other, Jango comes to New Roads from Monday to Friday, attending group and individual counselling sessions, as well as joining residents for their weekly yoga sessions.
With his calm manner, Jango provides comfort to the men when needed, helping reduce stress and anxiety. He also helps improve social interactions between residents, especially for those feeling shy, giving them something to talk about.
But ultimately, Jango香蕉视频直播檚 role is to show the residents unconditional love, something they may not have experienced before arriving at New Roads.
香蕉视频直播淗e is a stabilizing factor here,香蕉视频直播� said Diebel. 香蕉视频直播淲hen he walks into a room, everything lightens up a lot.香蕉视频直播�
As part of his training to be a therapy dog, Jango has learned to identify when someone is feeling upset, frustrated or angry, approaching them to offer comfort and soothing.
香蕉视频直播淚t feels like acceptance for the person 香蕉视频直播� he香蕉视频直播檚 very intuitive that way,香蕉视频直播� she says.
For Dan, a resident at New Roads for over four months, Jango香蕉视频直播檚 presence offers him a welcome boost and distraction from his struggles.
香蕉视频直播淚t means a lot,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淲hen you're suffering from addiction and you're sitting there 香蕉视频直播� when Jango comes in with his big eyes and he's just so happy and excited to see you, it really just lifts you up.香蕉视频直播�
Dog-lover Dan particularly remembers his arrival at New Roads, and how Jango helped ease him into life in the recovery centre.
香蕉视频直播淭here's a lot of ups and downs when you first arrive, especially mentally,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淥ne day you're kind of feeling up and then next thing you香蕉视频直播檙e down 香蕉视频直播� kind of feeling low and stuff. But Jango always makes me feel like he's listening, every time I see him it puts me in a much better mood.香蕉视频直播�
Diebel also remembers the first time Dan met Jango, remembering the moment he chose to sit on the new resident香蕉视频直播檚 lap.
香蕉视频直播淗e's not a lap dog, but he will pick certain people 香蕉视频直播� Dan is one of them,香蕉视频直播� she said. "The first time I saw him do that with Dan, he just lit up 香蕉视频直播� you could see Dan just felt that connection with Jango.香蕉视频直播�
In her role as director, Diebel says she has always been treated respectfully by the men at New Roads, but since Jango香蕉视频直播檚 arrival last year, she has seen a shift in how she is greeted around the centre 香蕉视频直播� residents say 香蕉视频直播榟i香蕉视频直播� to Jango first, Diebel second.
香蕉视频直播淲hich is really good because you can tell the pecking order and Jango香蕉视频直播檚 up there,香蕉视频直播� she says. 香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 top dog in this place and he deserves it.香蕉视频直播�
With New Roads expected to open its new women香蕉视频直播檚 centre in the winter, with space for 20 beds, demand for Jango香蕉视频直播檚 love and support is set to rise, with his time divided between the two programs.
香蕉视频直播淭he most exciting part is he will be the only male worker at the women's centre,香蕉视频直播� said Diebel. 香蕉视频直播淪o, he's pretty excited about that.香蕉视频直播�
To follow Jango's journey as a therapy dog at New Roads, visit his Instagram page: www.instagram.com/jangotherecoverydog/.
