‘Mayor of the clinic’: Psychiatrist’s therapy dog in training brings opportunities for conversation, connection
03/15/24 11:00:am
Roberts, a psychiatrist at Rogers in Sheboygan, adopted a half golden retriever/half yellow lab she named Gus in December 2022.
“I had been working late. This was at like 3 in the morning,” Dr. Roberts says. “I saw a picture of Gus and his litter, and reviewing the website, they mentioned at least four past dogs had turned into wonderful therapy dogs. I decided to send the money. My husband was like, ‘Yeah, I don’t think so. You usually research way more. We’ll see what happens.’ But that was it.”
It wasn’t a decision made on a whim. Dr. Roberts says she’s always wanted a dog, toying with the idea of having a therapy dog for years. Now, primarily based at the Sheboygan site working in the PHP/IOP and supportive living, she often takes Gus into work with her, where he’s like a “little mayor of the clinic” wanting to say hello to everyone and show off his skills for treats.
“People are more likely to approach me,” Dr. Roberts says. “People can talk to Gus, or I ask questions kind of through Gus, and they can open up and feel more comfortable talking about things like emotions.”
Dr. Roberts says Gus doesn’t just help Rogers patients or others he meets in the community, but his owner, too.
“Gus is good for me, just from a day-to-day standpoint of getting me up and out of bed,” she says. “He’s my own behavioral activation and encouragement.”
Dr. Roberts says Gus still gets to spend time with one of his siblings, too. Rogers therapist, Ashley Rubenzer, owns his sister Millie.
“They look like two little White Lightnings running circles around each other and both have a lot of energy and love to give,” Dr. Roberts says.
Gus is training to be a formally licensed therapy dog and is in the final stages for certification through Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
