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Poodle that survived attack gives seniors reason to smile

Senior, 80: Dog makes you forget what’s wrong with you

Joe Billings, 96, a resident at Lincoln Park Manor holds Bear, a toy poodle, who visits seniors with his owner, Diana Dermody of Dogtors Animal Assisted Therapy. Staff photos by Jan Underwood

Jan Underwood Joe Billings, 96, a resident at Lincoln Park Manor holds Bear, a toy poodle, who visits seniors with his owner, Diana Dermody of Dogtors Animal Assisted Therapy. Staff photos by Jan Underwood

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By Kristin McAllister, Staff Writer 2:46 PM Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Having survived a vicious attack by a large, unleashed dog at Caesar Creek State Park in the fall of 2008, Bear, a toy poodle, not only recovered from his nearly fatal injuries, but is now bringing moments of pure joy to area seniors and sick children.

Bear is now 4½. He endured about 60 staples from tears and puncture wounds from the attack, but one wouldn’t know it to look at him.

“I’m very proud of Bear,” said his owner, Diana Dermody of Centerville.

Dermody said she was relieved that Bear’s demeanor didn’t change after the attack.

“He’s very stoic,” she said. “Bear is a very good name for him. He’s very strong-hearted, but very gentle-hearted. He didn’t show any animosity against anybody. He’s just one in a million.”

Dermody regularly takes Bear on trips to area nursing homes and hospitals, where sporting his red, therapy dog bandana bearing his name, he sits on the laps of children and senior citizens and gets and gives lots of hugs and kisses.

“He’s very lovable, and he likes to kiss people,” said Golda Anderson, 80, a Kettering resident of 42 years who spends the winter at Lincoln Park Manor in Kettering, where Bear paid a visit Feb. 16.

“I think you just try and forget everything else and put your attention to him,” she said. “He makes you forget the things that are wrong with you.”

Bear is a certified therapy dog through the Comprehensive Animal Assisted Therapy program, also known as CAT. The eight-week course is provided by DOGTORS, an area provider of animal-assisted therapy programs and certification.

After retiring five years ago from a 30-year teaching career with Dayton Public Schools, Dermody found Bear online and knew he would be perfect for her dream of getting involved in an animal-assisted therapy program.

“He’s from Oklahoma,” she said. “I saw his picture, and I kept coming back to him.”

She said Bear’s coloring and markings — a round circle on his back — held her attention.

“I love people, and I love Bear, and I wanted to do something with Bear to give back to the community,” she said.

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