“Charlie Brown”
Sire: CH Gallivant Joyful Jester CGC TKN
Dam: CH Loremar Black Quetzalli of Cedar Key CGC TKN
Owners: Sandy Hite and Kara Hite
The Quiet One in a Litter of Champions, Winning Hearts as a Therapy Dog
Charlie Brown is from the Cinco de Mayo litter of CH Gallivant Joyful Jester CGC TKN (JJ) x CH Loremar Black Quetzalli of Cedar Key (Callie) that produced 4 champions: GCH Cedar Key & Suebel’s Brick House ATT, FTI; GCH CedarKey Back To Flo Rida @ Suebel RN; CH Cedar Key King Keanu of Dakine RN CGC TKN FTN and CH Cedar Key Cinco De Drinko at Everoak TKN.
While his siblings have been busy modeling, Charlie Brown has been a hard worker visiting nursing homes, libraries, the Valley Mission, and the YMCA. He provides smiles to everyone he meets. He’s also quite skilled in tricks and while earning his AKC Trick Performer title he gets to show off his skills to his fans. Charlie holds AKC Therapy Dog and Canine Good Citizen titles.
Not every good dog needs a ribbon. Some of them need a lap to put their head on.
ON THE JOB
Where Charlie works
Nursing homes
Gentle visits, slow pets, and a chin resting on a knee.
Libraries
A calm listener for kids who are practicing their reading.
The Valley Mission
A friendly face for people who don’t always get one.
The YMCA
Smiles, tricks, and tail wags for anyone who stops by.
Schools
A calm greeter for students on a hard day.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Welcoming students back in Waynesboro, Virginia
This fall, an elementary school in Waynesboro closed for a time after a frightening incident, three weeks into the school year. Coming back to school after something like that is a big step for kids, parents and teachers alike.
Charlie Brown was there to greet the students and welcome them back. Therapy dogs can’t fix a hard thing, but a calm, wagging Lab can make the first steps back through the door a little easier.
IF YOU MEET CHARLIE
How to say hello to a therapy dog
Ask first
Check with Charlie’s person, then say hi.
Let him sniff
Hold out a loose, flat hand and let him come to you.
Pet low and slow
Shoulders, chest and back are best. Skip hugs and grabbing at his face or paws.
Use quiet voices
Soft words and calm hands keep a working dog relaxed.
Every dog gets to say “I’m done.” If Charlie turns away or walks off, he is asking for a break. Thank him and let him go.
GOOD TO KNOW
Therapy dog, service dog, or pet?
Therapy dog
Visits schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other places to comfort many people. Charlie is one.
Service dog
Trained to do specific tasks for one person with a disability. Please don’t pet or distract one while it is working.
Family pet
Loves one household most of all. Plenty of great therapy dogs start out as exactly this.
Charlie holds the AKC Therapy Dog Excellent (THDX) title and the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title, a ten-skill test of good manners.
LABRADOR THINGS
Why Labs make such good helpers
Born for teamwork
Labradors were bred in Newfoundland to work alongside fishermen, retrieving nets and fish.
Soft mouth
Retrievers carry things gently, which shows in how a Lab takes a treat from a child.
Otter tail
Thick and rounded, it works like a rudder in the water and clears a coffee table in one wag.
Water-ready coat
A dense double coat sheds water, and webbed toes make a strong swimmer.
Chocolate, dilute free
Charlie tests clear of the dilute gene, the one that causes gray or “silver” coat shades.
THE FAN CLUB
Charlie’s people
Charlie has fans all over town, and many of them know the person on the other end of the leash only as “Charlie’s owner.” Her name is Sandy Hite. Every visit Charlie makes happens because Sandy is holding that leash.
Cedar Key Labradors is an AKC Breeder of Merit in Central Florida, raising health-tested, show-bred English Labrador Retrievers. Charlie Brown is a family member first and a working dog second.