Disqualified from the B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs training program because of his allergies, Jango91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淢y job is to bring joy, healing and peace to an amazing group of men,91裸聊视频� "says" the dog in his Instagram bio. 91裸聊视频淎s a working therapy dog, I take my job very seriously, but I still have fun.91裸聊视频�
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, Jango91裸聊视频檚 role is to show the residents unconditional love, something they may not have experienced before arriving at New Roads.
91裸聊视频淗e is a stabilizing factor here,91裸聊视频� said Diebel. 91裸聊视频淲hen he walks into a room, everything lightens up a lot.91裸聊视频�
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.
91裸聊视频淚t feels like acceptance for the person 91裸聊视频� he91裸聊视频檚 very intuitive that way,91裸聊视频� she says.
For Dan, a resident at New Roads for over four months, Jango91裸聊视频檚 presence offers him a welcome boost and distraction from his struggles.
91裸聊视频淚t means a lot,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲hen you're suffering from addiction and you're sitting there 91裸聊视频� 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.91裸聊视频�
Dog-lover Dan particularly remembers his arrival at New Roads, and how Jango helped ease him into life in the recovery centre.
91裸聊视频淭here's a lot of ups and downs when you first arrive, especially mentally,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淥ne day you're kind of feeling up and then next thing you91裸聊视频檙e down 91裸聊视频� 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.91裸聊视频�
Diebel also remembers the first time Dan met Jango, remembering the moment he chose to sit on the new resident91裸聊视频檚 lap.
91裸聊视频淗e's not a lap dog, but he will pick certain people 91裸聊视频� Dan is one of them,91裸聊视频� she said. "The first time I saw him do that with Dan, he just lit up 91裸聊视频� you could see Dan just felt that connection with Jango.91裸聊视频�
In her role as director, Diebel says she has always been treated respectfully by the men at New Roads, but since Jango91裸聊视频檚 arrival last year, she has seen a shift in how she is greeted around the centre 91裸聊视频� residents say 91裸聊视频榟i91裸聊视频� to Jango first, Diebel second.
91裸聊视频淲hich is really good because you can tell the pecking order and Jango91裸聊视频檚 up there,91裸聊视频� she says. 91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 top dog in this place and he deserves it.91裸聊视频�
With New Roads expected to open its new women91裸聊视频檚 centre in the winter, with space for 20 beds, demand for Jango91裸聊视频檚 love and support is set to rise, with his time divided between the two programs.
91裸聊视频淭he most exciting part is he will be the only male worker at the women's centre,91裸聊视频� said Diebel. 91裸聊视频淪o, he's pretty excited about that.91裸聊视频�
To follow Jango's journey as a therapy dog at New Roads, visit his Instagram page: www.instagram.com/jangotherecoverydog/.
