Pearl

Pearl started out life as a puppy mill breeder female. She and many other pugs lived in cages only with no social interaction or life skills of any kind. Michigan Pug Rescue rescued Pearl and several other pugs from a puppy mill out of state. Pearl and another female, Hazel, went to live in a foster home with Susan, one of our long-time fosters. Pearl and Hazel didn't know how to do so many simple things, including walking down curbs or steps. Every day was an experience for them to learn to live in a house. Susan adopted Pearl in November 2015 and Hazel in 2016. Pearl adapted so well to regular home life and to being with people that in April 2016, Pearl passed the Alliance of Therapy Dogs tests and became a certified therapy dog. She started visiting staff, patients and visitors regularly at Henry Ford Hospital West Bloomfield and Beaumont Farmington Hospital , participated in readings to dogs programs at both the West Bloomfield and Farmington libraries, going to different long-term and assisted living facilities and attending special events. Even with Covid, she is doing Zoom visits online through different programs and is back at one of the hospitals, though not visiting patients. Pearl the Pug, as she is known, reached a major milestone in April 2021. She earned the American Kennel Club title of Therapy Dog Distinguished for completing 400 certified therapy dog visits. She received a medal, patches and a certificate from AKC for this accomplishment. Pearl epitomizes how love and patience can help a rescued dog reach its full potential once it adapts to its new home and becomes a happy pup Pearl is blind and has accomplished this. Congratulations, Pearl!