He was supposed to die in a dog slaughterhouse, but fate decided otherwise. Ichabod, an Alaskan Malamute, was saved from a tragic fate. Now, he helps children overcome trauma.
Following the Malamute’s rescue, the charity "No Dogs Left Behind" put him up for adoption. However, they knew it would be difficult because this big teddy bear was handicapped.
From slaughterhouse to therapy
Ichabod caught Gayle Ellias' eye: "There was just something about him that attracted me," she explained to the People website.
Ichabod quickly acclimated to his new home and his new owner was taken aback by his ease of adjustment.
Because of his gentle and calm temperament, she decided to make Ichabod a therapy dog. Ichabod was given a specific certification (ATD certification, which proves that the dog has the necessary skills to provide emotional support to people in need).
Ichabod helped children
Gayle quickly realised that her dog was comfortable with younger children: "The kids move quickly, they might jump up and down or make noise, and he doesn't react to any of that.”
This calm dog went further to provide comfort to students affected by a shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan. He has also supported a charity for children with special needs.
Today, Ichabod’s owner hopes that other owners will decide to help animals reach their full potential, especially dogs or cats that have already encountered obstacles in their lives.
