Sammie
Therapy Dog & Assistant to EJ Babcock, LPC-S
Hi there, I’m Sammie!
I’m a registered Golden Retriever with the American Kennel Club (AKC), and I’ve even earned my AKC Good Canine Citizen award. Right now, I’m working hard on my Pet Partners certification so I can be an even better therapy dog. People say I have a gentle and friendly temperament—probably because I love giving cuddles and getting petted. My soft coat makes it extra tempting for everyone to reach out and give me a good scratch, and, honestly, that’s my favorite part of being a therapy dog!
When I’m not busy bringing smiles to people’s faces, I’m outside! I absolutely love playing in the backyard with my fur-siblings and fetching anything I can fit in my mouth. In my downtime, you’ll likely catch me napping with my favorite stuffed toy, Peppa Pig—she’s the best snuggle buddy.
As a therapy dog, I’ve seen firsthand how spending time with me and other therapy dogs can help people feel less stressed, anxious, or depressed. It’s also been shown to improve mood, emotional regulation, and communication skills. Some therapists say we can even boost motivation and engagement in therapy sessions. I’m just happy to help people feel better—one wag at a time!
Skills
- *Calm and Gentle Temperament
- *Friendly Disposition
- *Soft, Comforting Presence
- *Ability to Recognize Emotional States
- *Motivational and Encouraging
Sammie's Story
Sammie was 7 months old when she came into my (EJ Babcock) life. A friend posted on social media that she was helping a friend rehome her because her owner had lost her battle with cancer. A golden retriever was my husband’s dream dog, so I sent a picture of Sammie to him. With some encouragement and maybe a little pressure from my kids, she joined the family 2 days later. We welcomed Sammie into our family of 5 plus 3 dogs, 2 cats and a rabbit. She has been a wonderful addition. She never meets a stranger. My dream was always to have an animal assisted therapy dog when I first changed my major to psychology in college. And now “many years later”, Sammie made my dream a reality.