Disqualified from the B.C. and Alberta Guide Dogs training program because of his allergies, JangoB次元官网网址檚 budding career as a service dog was over. But thankfully for the caring canine, a new equally fulfilling role was just around the corner.

Adopted in October 2023 by Cheryl Diebel, director of New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community in View Royal, the two-year-old golden Labrador now works as a qualified assisted therapy dog at the centre.

B次元官网网址淢y job is to bring joy, healing and peace to an amazing group of men,B次元官网网址� "says" the dog in his Instagram bio. B次元官网网址淎s a working therapy dog, I take my job very seriously, but I still have fun.B次元官网网址�

The centre, which is part of Our Place Society, is a long-term residential treatment facility for men over the age of 19 who live with acute and chronic substance use issues. Priority is given to men who have experienced homelessness and involvement with the criminal justice system.

Alongside the programs at the centre and the support the men offer each other, Jango comes to New Roads from Monday to Friday, attending group and individual counselling sessions, as well as joining residents for their weekly yoga sessions.

With his calm manner, Jango provides comfort to the men when needed, helping reduce stress and anxiety. He also helps improve social interactions between residents, especially for those feeling shy, giving them something to talk about.

But ultimately, JangoB次元官网网址檚 role is to show the residents unconditional love, something they may not have experienced before arriving at New Roads.

B次元官网网址淗e is a stabilizing factor here,B次元官网网址� said Diebel. B次元官网网址淲hen he walks into a room, everything lightens up a lot.B次元官网网址�

As part of his training to be a therapy dog, Jango has learned to identify when someone is feeling upset, frustrated or angry, approaching them to offer comfort and soothing.

B次元官网网址淚t feels like acceptance for the person B次元官网网址� heB次元官网网址檚 very intuitive that way,B次元官网网址� she says.

For Dan, a resident at New Roads for over four months, JangoB次元官网网址檚 presence offers him a welcome boost and distraction from his struggles.

B次元官网网址淚t means a lot,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲hen you're suffering from addiction and you're sitting there B次元官网网址� when Jango comes in with his big eyes and he's just so happy and excited to see you, it really just lifts you up.B次元官网网址�

Dog-lover Dan particularly remembers his arrival at New Roads, and how Jango helped ease him into life in the recovery centre.

B次元官网网址淭here's a lot of ups and downs when you first arrive, especially mentally,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淥ne day you're kind of feeling up and then next thing youB次元官网网址檙e down B次元官网网址� kind of feeling low and stuff. But Jango always makes me feel like he's listening, every time I see him it puts me in a much better mood.B次元官网网址�

Diebel also remembers the first time Dan met Jango, remembering the moment he chose to sit on the new residentB次元官网网址檚 lap.

B次元官网网址淗e's not a lap dog, but he will pick certain people B次元官网网址� Dan is one of them,B次元官网网址� she said. "The first time I saw him do that with Dan, he just lit up B次元官网网址� you could see Dan just felt that connection with Jango.B次元官网网址�

In her role as director, Diebel says she has always been treated respectfully by the men at New Roads, but since JangoB次元官网网址檚 arrival last year, she has seen a shift in how she is greeted around the centre B次元官网网址� residents say B次元官网网址榟iB次元官网网址� to Jango first, Diebel second.

B次元官网网址淲hich is really good because you can tell the pecking order and JangoB次元官网网址檚 up there,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 top dog in this place and he deserves it.B次元官网网址�

With New Roads expected to open its new womenB次元官网网址檚 centre in the winter, with space for 20 beds, demand for JangoB次元官网网址檚 love and support is set to rise, with his time divided between the two programs.

B次元官网网址淭he most exciting part is he will be the only male worker at the women's centre,B次元官网网址� said Diebel. B次元官网网址淪o, he's pretty excited about that.B次元官网网址�

To follow Jango's journey as a therapy dog at New Roads, visit his Instagram page: www.instagram.com/jangotherecoverydog/.