Myla stars in her own books




 

 

Myla, a mini goldendoodle, is the constant therapy dog companion to Roseanne Oppman, who has an active counseling practice. Oppman selected Myla after the loss of a beloved pet because she liked her son’s goldendoodle, Lola, a larger version of the golden retriever/ poodle mix.

At 25 pounds and golden in color, the fluffy Myla is adored everywhere. She even has her own book. As a designer breed, the American Kennel Club doesn’t list the inconsistent characteristics but breeders claim mini goldendoodles make great fam ily companions, as they get along well with both children and other animals.

“Myla is intelligent and sensitive,” said Oppman. “Though she has a mind of her own, she behaves well and is welcome everywhere that doesn’t serve food. Myla particularly likes Home Depot.” Wherever they travel, people stop her to admire the cuddly Myla.

Myla is called upon to visit with children and adults in her therapy dog role.

Myla is called upon to visit with children and adults in her therapy dog role.

At work, Myla is called upon to visit with children and adults in her therapy dog role. Often, she has a calming effect on the most distressed person. She senses whether greeting a person is welcomed or if it’s better that she remain on her own bean bag chair. Children call Myla to share their troubles and their positive reports.

Myla has presentation responsibilities also and travels to schools and special events. At an event targeted to drug use prevention, she officially signed her paw print with her own red ink pad next to “Take your paws off drugs.” Her therapy role often includes participation in community events that are fundraisers for charitable organizations.

After one elementary school presentation, 40 children wrote Myla letters. Oppman was so touched that she answered each letter individually from Myla.

Myla stars in her own books for children, “In My Heart” and “I Took My Mommy’s Heart to School,” written by Oppman and available at the events where she supports mental health and humane dog treatment issues and at Amazon.com. Designed to help children overcome the anxiety of starting school or anything new for that matter, all of the characters are dogs. Myla is the star, but even Lola plays a role as her fiction story mother.

Currently, Myla travels with Oppmann by auto between Illinois and southwest Florida. Her counseling responsibilities are quite extensive in Illinois, but southwest Florida is gaining ground as Myla’s family includes Oppmann’s grandchild whose parents recently purchased a home just north of Bonita Springs.

“I am working towards more time in Florida where I hope for Myla and me to become as engaged in the local community as we are in Illinois,” said Oppmann.

D. K. Christi can be reached at dk@swspotlight.com

Our Best Friends

If you have a dog that you think is particularly wonderful, contact us at info@swspotlight.com and he or she could be the next dog featured in this column.


Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.