This is the inspirational story of how a brave three legged dog who beat thyroid cancer now spends her time helping others as a therapy dog.
Jeanie, a 13-year old Pom-yorkie-poodle mix was found in 2007 in a rural part of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
The woofer had a crippled foot that was later amputated when she was rescued and brought to a local vet who put her up for adoption.
It wasn’t long until Lak Charles resident Lydia Chrochet saw her face and fell in love.
Jeanie now lives with her loving family which includes a sister dog Pippa who also has 3 legs.
Earlier this year the pooch was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and at the start of July had a tumour the size of a golf ball removed.
Proving that you can never keep a good dog down Jeanie has been recovering nicely ever since.
Jeanie spends her time bringing joy into the life of others as a therapy dog where she visits nursing homes, schools, attends counselling sessions with amputees and comforts children who have witnessed trauma at the Children’s advocacy center.
Despite not having an easy life Jeanie is a true hero with a kind spirit who melts the hearts of everyone she meets.
Lydia Chrochet who trained Jeanie as a therapy dog and runs all of Jeanie’s social media said: “Jeanie is pure love.
”She has the sweetest nature and is very in tune with our emotions.
”This is what lead me to have her tested to become a therapy dog, which she easily passed.
”She’s been a therapy dog now for nine years, winning the 2019 Hero Therapy Dog Award.
”She’s also the star of a a children’s book and she accompanies me to book readings and signings. So technically, we work together… my husband calls us business partners. But she’s truly my best friend.
“Jeanie is so resilient and she’s always been very independent. She’s done well having only three legs for the most part, however, she has had some arthritis in her single front leg from time to time, but our family doesn’t mind carrying her around.
”She also has a stroller she enjoys riding in. She also fought thyroid cancer this year and, after surgery, is doing quite well.
”Part of her thyroid, along with a tumor the size of a golf ball, was removed at the beginning of July and she’s been taking it easy and healing nicely since then.
“There are several lessons we can learn from Jeanie.
”We are all different, none of us are alike. It’s important to teach our children that it’s okay to be different.
”I believe when children see Jeanie and read her story, they see that she lives a happy life and realize that she can do anything.
”Also, dogs are wonderful “therapists.
“Through Jeanie’s pet therapy, we have witnessed first hand the positive impact dogs can have on someone who is healing or grieving, especially children. Everything is better with a dog in the room.”