Blind, deaf pet in training to become therapy dog

SARASOTA, Fla. Out of loss and lack come aid and adoration in the form of a special dog.

Erin Baxter adopted a Catahoula mix named Ruby in April 2016 from the Gulf Coast Humane Society in Fort Myers, shortly after the death of her previous dog, Scarlett. Ruby was one of three dogs in her litter born deaf and blind.

“She saved me I think,” Baxter said. “She made the days a little bit easier, took my mind off of losing Scarlett.”

Now Baxter wants to share Ruby’s compassion with others in need.

Ruby has been in training for weeks to become a therapy dog and will likely be certified in another month or two. When that happens, Baxter plans to take her to nursing homes, schools for the blind and the Veterans Administration.

“I really just want her to make people feel good,” Baxter said. “Her love is amazing.”

Ruby’s ability to learn is pretty amazing, too. She can’t hear or see any commands from Ricardo Carde, her trainer at Tampa Bay K9 Solutions.

Carde instead relies on touch and a vibrating collar. But Ruby has shown a natural skill at comforting others, he said.

“What makes her really special is the fact that she is the opposite of what disabled dogs are, normally,” Carde said. “They’re reactive to humans and she’s the opposite. She literally wants to be in your lap all the time.”

That’s no surprise to Baxter, the recipient of plenty of affection from Ruby since she arrived at her home just north of Sarasota.

“She’s touching you because she’s hugging you,” Baxter said. “She doesn’t have arms and legs like we do to hug you, but she absolutely hugs you with her whole body.”

That’s the warmth that Baxter is especially anxious for Ruby to show to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Those soldiers are coming back and they’ve got lots on their mind and hearts,” Baxter said. “And what’s better than a puppy sitting on your lap snuggling that you can just pet and love on and know that they’re just there for you?”