BLAISE
a 10 year-old Flat-Coated Retriever
is the recipient of the
2013 Clancy Memorial Award.
Blaise has achieved a quality of lifestyle and rewarding role in his family and community events – an existence unthinkable for him until Andrea Donovan came along.
Blaise was rescued from the Oromocto SPCA but I would argue that he rescued me. He was meant to be a hiking companion but soon turned me onto a world of dog sports and pet therapy. When I arrived at the SPCA, I was there to look at another dog, but Blaise picked me instead. It was instant love and we've been together for a decade now.
Blaise was attacked by another dog and developed dog fear. He also struggles with anxiety, especially in relation to noises and separation. This has not stopped him from being a gentle, loving soul who is loyal and loving to his humans though. Blaise adores children and loves people. His intuition with human emotions led him to therapy work where he worked with high school students, autistic children, and the elderly.
Blaise has always been attentive to the needs of humans. From an early age, Blaise would pick up on my emotions and respond to them. If I was sick, Blaise would remain by my side. I always knew I was on the mend when he would agree to leave me. If I was sad, Blaise would lay with me and let me cry on his shoulder. I had a bout with nightmares and Blaise, who never slept on the bed, would crawl up into my bed at night and when I woke, I
would find him there, within reach. When the nightmares subsided, Blaise went back to sleeping in his bed.
This empathy he showed made him a natural for therapy work. One summer there was a spot for a dog to do some work at a camp for autistic children. Blaise was asked to fill it and he was a natural. Blaise seemed to intuitively know when to be calm and gentle.
Blaise went on to start a pet therapy program at the Nashwaak Villa in Stanley. Though he retired from the program this year, his younger siblings have taken over his work and continues to this day.
Blaise introduced me to the world of flyball. Blaise was a steady dog and excelled at the sport. He earned his ONYX award before retiring. He is also titled in tracking and agility and has completed 3 levels of nosework. Blaise is keen to try new things and loves to do anything that he can do with his mom.
Although Blaise has achieved much in the sports of flyball, tracking and agility, it is his special skill at connecting with people that deserves to be celebrated. Blaise has overcome his own personal obstacles and his own anxiety to reach out and provide comfort to others.
