In Memory

Bella was born in February 2011, and is a very sweet Doberman Pinscher. She’s a loving, loyal, energetic and calm girl who loves to give and get attention. Bella is loved by all who meet her, and she plays an important role with Companions for Courage in Lake and Sumter Counties, as well as with the K-9th Circuit in Orange County.

Benni was adopted from the Ontario County Humane Society, in Canandaigua NY in December of 2011.  He was healthy and reasonably groomed when he was found, but no one came forward to claim him after his picture was placed the local paper.  Since being adopted, Benni has shown that he enjoys being around people and really responds to both giving and receiving attention.  He now lives with his family in The Villages and is ready to take on a new chapter as a member of Companions for Courage.

Retired in 2018 Bosco, a Parti Colored Standard Poodle (chocolate & white), was born on May 6, 2009.  As a puppy, he was socialized with patients, therapists and the staff at a Nursing Home his handler worked in at that time.  As he got older, it was obvious how sweet, gentle and calm he was and how he made people smile, so he was tested to become a Therapy Dog and soon joined Space Coast Therapy Dogs & Alliance of Therapy Dogs.  Since that time, Bosco has visited Nursing Homes, Hospice Centers, Alzheimer’s & Dementia Memory Centers and has participated in local events & speaking engagements.  He loves everyone and patients especially like him since he’s the right size to reach out and pet.  Now Bosco is a Courtroom Therapy Dog and will be working in the 18th Judicial Circuit Courts.

2011 to 2019 Born in 2011, Chief was a Boxer who was as sweet as could be – and who gave the best, sloppy kisses.  Chief passed away in 2019.

2019 Daisy-Mai was a pedigree Pomeranian and  a registered Therapy Dog since 2011. Daisy was an active member of the Pet Therapy teams at Arnold Palmer Hospital and Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, where she visited inpatients at both facilities. Daisy-Mai achieved the title of “Advanced Therapy Dog” from the American Kennel Club, which signified her completion of over 100 Pet Therapy visits. She continued her good works by regular visitations to the Juvenile Justice Center in Orlando for Companions for Courage as part of the K-9th Circuit team.  Daisy-Mai passed away in 2019.

Darwin was found on a highway and picked up by a good citizen who contacted a local rescue group to find him a new home.  That was in 2013 when Darwin was about two years old – and since then, he’s battled severe skin issues and has had surgery on both knees – but now he’s doing well, and lives with four other dogs and two cats.  Darwin loves children, seniors and everyone in between, and is looking forward to being a Companion for Courage!

Dupont is a Labrador Retriever mix, and a former Service Dog who spent several years working with a deaf person.  He was a Therapy Dog who loves to visit people and be petted.  Dupont looked forward to going to go to the Courts to comfort children when they testify.

Emma is a Boxer, and a born Therapy Dog. Although she is special-needs herself, she does not let that stop her from having a sweet personality. Her first job as a Therapy Dog was at 4 months old when she was assigned to fulfill a hospice patient’s last request. The request had been for a dog to lay in his arms and give sweet puppy kisses, and Emma was happy to step up and to the job. What better way to leave this world then with puppy kisses! Emma continues to give love and therapy to all those in need.

2008-2020 Born in 2008, Jackson was a Golden Retriever and Black Lab mix. As a Therapy Dog, he worked in nursing homes, hospitals and schools. He was also a READ (Reading Education Assistance Dog) dog and worked with children’s reading programs. For fun, Jackson liked to swim, play fetch, go to the beach and ride in the car! Thank you, Jackson, for the joy you brought, and your caring spirit!

2008-2020 Born in November 2009, Jake is a Yellow Labrador Retriever who loves swimming, playing catch and being a Therapy Dog. As a Therapy Dog, Jake enjoys meeting new people, but especially loves to visit the kids at Camp Boggy Creek. He is still a playful pup, but when he puts on his vest, he knows it’s time to be serious. Jake is proud to be one of the founding members of Companions for Courage and the K-9th Circuit.  He retired from active Court service in 2018, but still helps out with the events we attend.

Josie is an Australian Shepherd/Lab mix who was rescued in May 2008.  She was tested and registered as a Therapy Dog later that summer, and has been a therapy dog ever since.  She and her owner have logged over 2,000 hours together as a team, and Josie was “Therapy Dog of the Year” in 2011.  She has a sweet, calm disposition, and her personality is adorable because she knows just the right look and mannerisms to use when she’s making visits with either children or the elderly.  But when she gets back home, she puts on her “at home” face, and it’s the cutest transformation.  She runs to her sister (black Lab) and out the door they go, chasing each other and whatever else is out in the yard.  Josie looks forward to her work with Companions for Courage in the 18th Judicial Circuit.

2010-2020 Karl was a special-needs dog; he was deaf, trained with American Sign Language he understood over 90 signs. Karl overcame his disability and enjoyed his life as a therapy dog; he brought love and happiness to seniors, children, children with special needs, and everyone he came in contact with. Karl was well suited for the court room as he provided loving support without ever worrying about loud noises, and during long session he quietly took a nap. Karl’s workload increased over the years to provide services to the children with humane education as well as after school activities. Karl was an ambassador, an inspiration as well as an educator for people who shied away from dogs with special needs. Karl didn’t know that he was a special needs dog, and he taught us more then we could have ever hoped to teach him.  Whenever outside, he would always look around, smell the flowers, and check out the birds.  He reminded us to slow down, smell the flowers and take in the beauty of the day.  Karl passed away in 2020.

Kenai is a rescued American Akita who went through some tough times as a young dog – but he persevered and is now a big gentle soul who loves everyone. He especially loves anyone who will give him belly rubs.

Major was a German Shepard who was a Therapy Dog since he was a year old. He enjoyed visiting and supporting children and seniors.  Major loved to have his chest scratched and gave kisses every time, but his most favorite thing of all was to play B-A-L-L.  Sadly, Major passed away in November, 2021 – He will be missed!

February 2010 – May 2017 Memphis, a black Labrador Retriever mix, was a gentle soul and a quintessential member of Companions for Courage. His quiet, loving manner made him the perfect Companion.  He enjoyed his Therapy Dog work visiting seniors and getting lots of attention, and always loved to lay his head in your lap.  Memphis was also a READing Paws dog and loved going to schools where the children would read to him.  Memphis passed away unexpectedly in May 2017.

2005 to 2018 Born in December 2005, Newman was a rescued Boxer with a great sense of humor, (yes, dogs have funny bones). Newman had his first therapy visit as a three month old puppy and brought smiles to children and adults for the rest of his life. Newman was one of the founding members of Companions for Courage and assisted in trials in Lake and Sumter Counties and with the K-9th Circuit in Orange County.  Newman passed away in 2018.

November 2003- September 2014  Otto was one of the founding members of Companions for Courage and was the founder of the humane education program with South Lake Animal League and PAWS Therapy Dogs.  He was a happy white boxer boy with beautiful blue eyes and always wore a silly hat and a big smile (yes dogs can smile).  Otto passed away in 2014. Otto loved everyone, but he was especially fond of children. Otto had been a therapy dog most of his life, starting in South Carolina visiting nursing homes and assisting in humane education programs. He assisted in teaching children and adults to be responsible pet owners and to be safe around dogs. He was also one of the first Cornerstone Hospice Pet Therapy Dogs. He helped patients and their families with their end of life journey. Otto was a busy boy who loved life and helping others. He will always be remembered as a “Forever Companion”.

2020 Sophia was a sweet and gentle Boxer who was rescued in 2015.  She was a Therapy Dog since that time and loved her job visiting both seniors and children.  Given the opportunity, she would step up in your lap and lean in for a hug.  Sophia lived with three other Therapy Dogs, a Therapy Cat, another cat, two bearded dragons and eight finches – and she will be greatly missed.

Tilley is short for Matilda, which means “mighty in battle”, and that name fits because when she was just a puppy, she was abandoned and became very sick. But she was rescued by heroes and now has become one herself. She wants to share what she’s learned by being by your side. Let’s be brave together!

2008-2020 Woolf was the Founder of Companions for Courage, and was a very special boy who touched so many lives in so many ways. What started out with his helping in counseling sessions at the Lake Sumter Children’s Advocacy Center back in 2011 became the seed for what has become Companions for Courage. Woolf retired in 2015, but we wouldn’t be where we are today without the work that he and Missy did in the early days of Companions for Courage.  Woolf passed away in 2020, but will forever be in our hearts.