Teddie’s Story: Homeless Hound to HERO
When I read Teddie’s adoption story, I couldn’t imagine the brutality she survived and if she could ever trust humans.
Then I met her and saw a spark and knew her “Paws had a Purpose”.
She was owned by a hunter who discarded her in the forest. She made it out safely but onto a busy road where a garbage truck almost hit her.
It was destiny that a rescue coordinator witnessed this and stopped traffic and scooped her up just in time.
It was obvious she lived outdoors. She was found wearing a collar with no name, just an ID number. Some of her teeth were missing, infected or worn down from trying to chew her way out of something. She was underweight and you could see and feel her hips & rib bones. Half her tail was missing, and I don’t want to imagine what happened. She was terrified of sudden movements and loud sounds.
After a long-needed bath, food and vet exam she was ready to move on in search of a home. She was transferred to a rescue in TN called HERO HOUNDS.
She was named Teddie because she is soft like a Teddy Bear.
After they spent time loving her and earning her trust, they thought she was ready for her forever home.
A picture of her famous head tilt was posted on Facebook and my heart just melted.
After a couple hours talking with her foster mom, I completed an adoption application. Not long after I was notified, I was selected to be Teddie pet guardian.
Flight arrangements were made and the volunteer told me she witnessed firsthand how special she was with people. Teddie sensed a passenger was nervous, so she gave him a paw nudge and nuzzled her head under his chin and stayed with him until they boarded.
The volunteer was so moved by this display of compassion she took pictures and told me: “If Teddie doesn’t become a therapy dog, she is missing her calling”. Now this is where Teddie’s new life begins.
Teddie was treated like property and never treated as a pet. She didn’t know what it was like to live indoors, or have a bed, food, treats, toys, or even go on walks.
Her playmate Darlynn had to teach her to walk on a leash, which took weeks, and our trainer helped us guide her into a harness. She was afraid of everything, the snapping of the harness, the doggie door closing behind her.
What is normal to us was so new to her. After the fear was gone and the love and trust were real, she started to take in her new life with enthusiasm.
Teddie is certified with Alliance Therapy Dogs and is an AKC Good Canine Citizen.
Teddie joined the Arizona State University Paws Therapy Team in April 2023.
She attends the Wellness & Mental Health events. She struts in her ASU Jersey, bandana & tutu.
The students love taking their pictures with her and collecting her trading cards and her stickers found on bottles and laptops.
Teddie joined the Honor Health Hospital Caring Canine Program in July 2023.
Staff greets her with “IT’s TEDDIE TUESDAY”. You can find her trading cards throughout the hospital including desks, cabinets and lockers. She consoles families in the waiting rooms, and she also snuggles in patients’ beds.
Teddie joined Gabriels Angels in September 2023 to visit children with special needs.
Teddie helped children go from being shy to cheering “TEDDIE IS HERE”! and volunteering to escort her to class.
A girl was attacked by a dog and was petrified by dogs after time with Teddie she built trust, and her mother sent a letter thanking Teddie for having such an impact on her daughter and they adopted a dog. Teddie will be in the yearbook of the school she visits.
Teddie attended the grand opening of Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
The love she gave and received was overwhelming. The media coverage followed her around as she showed off her nurse’s uniform.
Teddie visits Terra Pointe Memory Care Center. After one visit, the residents remembered her name and wanted her to come back.
Teddie’s Achievements
- Phoenix Magazine Health Care HERO
- AKC Advanced Therapy Dog
- AKC Good Canine Citizen
- AZ Pet Project HERO Award
- Positively Woof spokes-dog
- Face of a Survivor Ambassador
- Honor Health Sunshine nominations
Teddie’s Has Been Featured in…
- Honor Health Employee/Volunteer Newsletter
- Alliance of Therapy Dogs Magazine
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance TriNet
- Podcast spotlight for Face of a Survivor
- FOX10 News
- Gabriel’s Angels Impact Report Cover
- Gabriel’s Angels Newsletters/PUPDATE
- Gabriel’s Angels Gala Fundraiser Impact Videos
Click here to watch her media appearances.
Teddie has her own social media.
Her Instagram handle is beaglesrock6, and her Facebook page is Teddie’s Paw Hug Therapy, which was named after her signature move, which she is famous for.
Teddie has gone from Homeless Hound to HERO.
She has a special gift to sense what people need and how to approach them with her nudging head and paw hugs.
We watched the transformation from a broken, scared dog being treated like property to a spoiled pet and cherished therapy dog.
Teddie has changed our lives and the lives of many others. Teddie is a compassionate therapy dog and a true HERO to those with a broken body, heart & soul that need a paw hug.