“Scent of the Missing” and “The Possibility Dogs,” both written by Susannah Charleson, provide readers with an inside look into the world of working dogs. In “Scent of the Missing,” Charleson discusses the emotional and logistical components of her work alongside canine search and rescue teams. She shares her passion for canine search and rescue (SAR) with readers by describing her own experiences becoming a SAR team with her dog, Puzzle. Here, readers learn about the work ethic, flexibility, and emotional and physical strength necessary to execute SAR fieldwork. This is an inspiring read that will leave you wanting to offer thanks and gratitude to the humans and animals who devote their time and energy toward uniting loved ones near and far!
The focus of “The Possibility Dogs” is largely on the role of psychiatric service dogs in mitigating mental illness symptoms and diagnoses. In addition, Charleson provides insight into the process of selecting, testing, and placing shelter dogs to become working service dogs. As with many of the “Doggone Good Reads” found on Sit, Stay, Blog, “The Possibility Dogs” equates the human-animal bond as an affinity toward one another. Charleson provides fresh perspectives into what it means to experience love and loss within the context of the human-animal bond, including a dog’s ability to recognize grief in their human counterparts. Readers can also expect to be introduced to and educated on the concept of Black Dog Syndrome and the impact this has on shelter and adoptable dogs. Charleson has taken her writing one step further through the foundation of her nonprofit organization, Possibility Dogs, Inc., which seeks to train appropriate shelter dogs for work as service dogs, emotional support dogs, and therapy dogs. “The Possibility Dogs” is a tail-wagging good read based on raw personal experience that is nothing short of remarkable and memorable!
If you’re interested in learning more about the world of working dogs, visit http://possibilitydogs.org.
Additional information about the author, Susannah Charleson, can be found here: http://susannahcharleson.com/
Up next on this avid reader’s list from Susannah Charleson: “Where the Lost Dogs Go”
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