Goldendoodle therapy dog Bentley with Karen Roach.He’s known as Dr. Bentley when he makes his rounds at Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation and T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital. This 6-year-old goldendoodle — half golden retriever and half poodle — belongs to Karen Roach, who chose the breed with patient therapy in mind.
The Roaches got Bentley, now 6, from a Florida breeder when he was 12 weeks old.
“His personality was perfectly suited for a therapy dog,” Roach said.
A therapy dog must be calm and controlled in all types of situations, even around loud noises or equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers and medical equipment; and they must show no aggression in any situation, Roach said.
“It has been proven in many studies that the presence of animals lowers blood pressure, calms patients and promotes a better state of mind for healing. He is very good at his job,” Roach said.