Denver
Denver is a fun-loving, adorable, sweet and playful chocolate lab with a huge heart. She teaches us how to be kind, selfless, loving and reminds us through her actions, to enjoy the little things in life.
Denver was born on February 24, 2018, and was just 8 weeks old when she joined our family roster, “Team Straus.” She was 9 pounds of puppy love and instantly stole the heart of her mom, dad, sister, and brother. However, her doggie big sister, Coco, thought she was annoying and needed a little convincing before accepting her.
So we taught Coco a trick called, “Hug Denver.” We’d sit them side by side so Coco could wrap her front paws around Denver’s neck. Big treats followed each “hug” and soon, they were inseparable. With her dark chocolate coat and playful spirit, Denver became best buddies with Coco (a milk chocolate-colored lab mix). We lovingly called them The Double Fudges.
Named after our love for the mountains, Denver is always ready for adventures; whether it’s hiking, swimming, jumping waves at the beach, or chasing snowballs. Tell her “On the mark, get set, GO!” and she’ll fly into the water, especially if there’s a tennis ball involved (her favorite toy of all time). When Denver’s not outdoors, she enjoys laying up side down on the couch, snuggling in front of the fireplace and munching on her favorite snacks - berries and cucumbers. A couple of her unique talents include unwrapping gifts and solving her puppy treat puzzles.
Denver’s best buddies are Sophie, Zoe, Kirby, Charlie, Lettie, Katie and Olive. But she is always excited to meet new friends - furry or human.
Goofy, sweet, and super smart, Denver trained hard to become a therapy dog. She learned to stay calm in crowds, ride elevators, tackle stairs, handle loud noises, and most importantly-share her love. During training, we discovered her superpower: her silky-soft ears. They make her the best listener, secret keeper, and smile maker.
Denver splits her time between Florida and Utah and brings joy to schools, hospitals, libraries, and events in both locations. She turns cloudy days into sunny ones and has a special way of melting in your heart.
Denver is tall-wagging ball of love and our wet-nosed angel on earth. We love her endlessly!
Teddy
Teddy was born in Joplin, Missouri. Teddy got his name because when we got him, as a puppy, he was dark brown, and looked like a teddy bear.
Teddy loves to go on walks, hike, car rides, and going through the car wash. He does not realize that he is a small dog. All of his doggy friends are big dogs. After Teddy gets his paws washed, or gets out of the bath, he gets the zoomies. He runs around the house like a crazy boy. Teddy likes to walk on his hind legs and jumping through hoops.
What Teddy likes the most about being a therapy dog is the people: the seniors at the nursing home, the teens at the high school, and the younger kids in the reading programs.
Teddy travels a great deal to Chicago, via airplane. His first flight was at eight weeks old. One of his playmates is the neighbors, Bernese Mountain Dog - Gracie. He also love to play with Dutch, who is also a therapy dog. He loves to play with any dogs that are much, much bigger then he is.
Bennett
Bennett came into our lives just when we needed him most. After the loss of our beloved female Bernese Mountain Dog, our hearts felt empty - until Bennett filled that void with his goofy charm and boundless affection.
We found his ad on KSL: “Free to a great home.” He had grown too large for his petite, elderly owner and struggled with the St. George heat. As soon as we saw his picture, we called the number and jumped in the car. It was love at first sight.
Bennett immediately embraced his new life. He thrived in our spacious backyard, enjoyed daily hikes in the cooler Wasatch Mountains, and adored our horses. Now, at two years old, we’re still discovering the many wonderful qualities of his breed.
On Monday and Friday mornings, Bennett heads to Wasatch High School, where he welcomes students in the commons area. He’s always surrounded by a crowd of smiling teens, soaking up their hugs and attention. But Bennett has a special gift- he seems to sense the student who needs him most. More than once, he has gently pulled me toward someone, refusing to move until he’s by their side. Often, these students don’t even realize they need comfort-but Bennett does. I’ve watched him calm, console, and connect with them, simply by sitting on their feet and staying close.
Bennett also visits Timpanogos Middle School, where he supports students in a Special Needs Classroom. There, he joins them for walks, performs tricks to make them laugh, offers hugs, and is often called upon to ease anxiety during challenging moments.
Though we’re still new to this work, Bennett and I share a passion for helping others. He may be young, but he’s already making a difference- one big, furry hug at a time. We’re proud to be a team, and honored to share the joy of Bennett the Bernese with those who need him most.
Marlie