Punky gets VA approval!
Punky — a Border-Jack Russell terrier mix — is adding the Veterans Hospital in La Jolla as another place she will be visiting as a therapy dog trained by Love Heels.
The director of the VA Volunteer Program instantly approved of Punky when he met her for her orientation/audition, saying she was the ideal size to sit in patients’ l
Punky is ready to brighten the lives of VA Hospital patients
Docile, sweet and very much not hyper like most Jack Rusells, Punky is owned by Preston Turegano and Bob Pavon and is legally named Punky Pavon-Turegano.
They adopted her last December from doggies911rescue.org, a dog shelter in San Pedro, CA. Doggies911rescue found Punky as an emaciated stray and nursed her back to health. Her Facebook page is “Punky Pavon.”
Since February, Punky has undergone therapy dog training at Nazareth House in Mission
Valley. She also is an AKC Good Citizen dog. Directors of the therapy dog program at Sharp Hospital/Kearny Mesa have expressed interest in meeting Punky, who turns 2 years old in October.
Dancer congratulates her pal Punky with a big tail wag. The rest of us are in awe of Punky’s calm demeanor, excellent manners and major cuteness.
As your other dad I am so proud of my little Punky and also proud of Preston who has worked with our little angel and with Love Heels to train her for the therapy work she loves so much. Way to go Punky and Preston!!
Punky and Preston are an incredible team!