Rodney
Shipperke mix
Inducted January 2000
Owned by Lynn Tripp
Nominated by Dr. Sarah Huskey
The human-animal bond is a remarkable thing. Sometimes an animal can communicate more through its attitude and actions than a person can with countless spoken words. Dallas resident Lynn Tripp’s dog Rodney is an example of this.
Tripp adopted Rodney, a shipperke mix, from an animal shelter in November 1995. Then one-year-old Rodney was looking for a home, having been returned to the shelter several times by previous adopters. Rodney needed love and a lot of attention. Tripp provided both. After a year of bonding and extensive training, Rodney passed the screening and probation period in the Paws Across Texas Organization and began his weekday activities as a therapy dog in January 1997. It was a natural calling for the affectionate, outgoing dog.
Rodney visits adults and children with rehabilitation needs, psychiatric problems, special needs, and patients recovering from major surgeries. Wherever he goes, he lovingly refuses to be ignored. As Tripp puts it, “He is a ‘me dog’—'pet me, love me, play with me, work with me.'” Patients and their families are drawn to reach out to Rodney, and he responds.
Tripp explains, “Whether it is a stroke patient needing to work on moving a hand, arm or leg, or an unhappy adolescent needing to communicate with someone who gives them his undivided, individual attention, Rodney’s tail-wagging enthusiasm and joy at doing his ‘job’ make him a very special therapy dog.”
“I’ve not seen a prouder owner, nor a more rewarding, accomplished companion,” Dr. Huskey says. “Rodney is truly a special companion, not only to his owner, but also to those he reaches out to in his therapy work. I look forward to Rodney’s yearly visits to hear Lynn proudly relate some of his recent accomplishments.”
Rodney and Tripp spend their weekends training for and competing in canine agility trials. They’ve traveled across the country for competitions.
