Comfort Canines For Christ
"It's Not About The Dogs"
Canine Ambassador
Poppy
TherapyDog Poppy "Poppy Pineapple" is a 58 pound red Standard Poodle. Poppy was born in Florida's horse country and loved her early puppy life on a beautiful farm with her 11 littermates. While all 12 puppies were wonderful, Poppy was extra special with her gentle temperament, joy, and affection for John, Cindy, Gandy, and Yuuki. Despite Poppy being a young puppy, Gandy at 12 and Yuuki at 8 welcomed her into the family.
Born on 9 May 2025, Poppy, at 1 year old, is already highly trained and highly capable. Poppy's formal training has been extensive, fun, and rewarding. She earned her AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Title, AKC Canine Good Citizen Title, AKC Fit Dog Bronze Title, AKC Fit Dog Silver Title, AKC Trick Dog Novice Title, and AKC Therapy Dog Novice Title. She completed 25 weeks of formal group training taking her from "Puppy Socialization" to beyond "Advanced Obedience." She has completed over 12 weeks of formal Rally training and is preparing to earn her AKC Rally Novice Title soon. In addition, Poppy is preparing for her AKC Trick Dog Intermediate Title eval during June-July 2026 and nearing her AKC Therapy Dog Title during August 2026. She will earn her AKC Community Canine Title (CGC Advanced) during the summer 2026. Poppy has even done 3 Intro to Barn Hunt group classes!
Informally, Poppy has benefitted greatly by doing random training "bursts" throughout the day. These happen at random times, are of random short duration, and cover random subjects/skills. She also has done highly focused and detailed therapy dog training to prepare her to serve in various healthcare and other environments and to support people of varying cognitive, intellectual, physical, and developmental abilities. This training includes simulations with medical equipment; various mobility devices; and simulated wounds, lines, and ports. Finally, Therapy Dogs Gandy, Gracie Mae, Thor, and Yuuki have been amazing canine mentors over the span of Poppy's 35 focused training visits with these excellent teams. Handlers Lisa & Marlene have provided valuable feedback. All of our facility contacts have been so very supportive of helping us raise excellent therapy dogs within the Comfort Canines for Christ group on Florida's Suncoast.
Team Poppy's calling is to those having intellectual and developmental disabilities; and those residing in memory care, 24/7 skilled nursing care, and rehabilitative care facilities. She participates in all 13 of the Suncoast Group's 13 weekly Animal Assisted Activity themes, which enrich the visit experience.
Weekly Activity Themes:
1. Classic Visit 5. Shell Games 9. Tunnels
2. Obedience 6. Puzzles 10. Cavaletti (Cones & Noodles)
3. Rally 7. Senting 11. Old School Schoolyard Games
4. Tricks 8. Hula Hoops 12. Brain Games
13. Whatever Week
Poppy is very sweet and gentle. Her name, "Poppy Pineapple the Poodle Puppy" brings smiles to all who hear it. She wears TherapyDog Goose's yellow Comfort Canines for Christ bandana and continues the legacy of this incredible therapy dog emeritus who went to heaven at 16 years and 2 months old. Poppy already wears Goose's black collar, lead, and training bandana and knows that those signify it's time to serve. She lives the motto of a former organization by "Spreading Joy Through a Wet Nose and Wagging Tail." She simply brightens any room she enters and brings smiles to all who see her.