How Molly, a bilingual Chocolate Lab and her trainer Guillermo (Memo) Roa, are being recognized by Hallmark for their efforts in helping homeless children and adults who have special needs.
By: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist
Molly can do all the things most dogs can. She sits, shakes, plays, but she her greatest trick is bringing out the best in people. The Chocolate Lab is a bilingual trained therapy dog who volunteers at a homeless shelter in NYC.
Her trainer Memo, who is also bilingual, said, “This important skill helps them connect with homeless children in shelters. “So many of these homeless kids feel isolated and alone. When they realize that Molly understands them, they light up in a way that absolutely warms your heart.”
The pair also provides therapy services for adults who have special needs at multiple YAI agency locations. “To see them help people open up and feel joy is just the best feeling,” said June Bleich. June and her husband Eric are Molly’s guardians.
As a puppy, Molly demonstrated exceptional people skills and learning abilities. Memo helped take those skills to an incredible level. He boasts many high-level dog training credentials including American Kennel Club (AKC) Tester Certification and Animal Behavior College (ABC) Trainer Certification.
Molly and Memo have been generating such a buzz and much deserved attention that Hallmark has named a dog from Long Island as one of its American Humane Hero Dog Award Nominees in the Therapy Dog Category. According to the award website, “The American Humane Hero Dog Awards are an annual campaign that recognizes heroes on both ends of the leash.”
“This recognition for Molly is just as much a recognition for Memo,” said June. “I’m just thrilled that this amazing team is being recognized for all they do to help people in the community.”
And Molly’s trainer is just as inspirational. Memo is from a crime-ridden area in Bogota, Columbia where mafia ruled the streets. He feared for his family. So, in 1999, when he was in his mid-30s, he escaped to Long Island with his wife and children. He found a job helping in a kitchen but always had a passion for animals. His wife encouraged him to follow his passion. So, while he kept his kitchen job he attended school to become a dog trainer. Now, as a legal permanent resident of the US, he says he is thrilled to be living his dream and contributing to society by helping others.
For more information on Memo and Molly you can click here.
If you’d like to see Memo and Molly advance in the Hallmark in the American Humane Hero Dog Awards, you can vote for Molly here.