Meet Rocket: A First Responder and Classroom Therapy Dog
Have you ever had the opportunity to be comforted by a therapy dog? These special companions do more than offer a wagging tail—they provide peace, companionship, and even a sense of security to those in need. From first responders managing high-stress situations to children learning to read, therapy dogs make a world of difference. Their presence has been shown to lower stress and anxiety, boost mood, and even improve overall well-being.
Unlike service dogs, which are trained to assist individuals with specific needs, therapy dogs work alongside their owners to bring joy and emotional support to people in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and beyond. Whether sitting patiently while a child reads aloud or offering a reassuring nuzzle to a senior in assisted living, therapy dogs create meaningful connections that foster trust, confidence, and healing.
In schools, therapy dogs have proven to be powerful allies in education. Research shows they help children develop social and emotional skills, increase motivation for learning, and even improve literacy. Students who interact with therapy dogs often show greater confidence, stronger relationships with teachers and peers, and reduced anxiety, leading to better academic outcomes.
We are thrilled to be the official food sponsor for Rocket, a sweet yellow lab based in the Bay Area of Northern California. Rocket will be enjoying our high-quality grain-in 3 Bears dog food line, which hydrates in 3-5 minutes, perfect for Rocket's busy schedule supporting his community. Let’s meet Rocket and his owner Emily, who are active in their community providing therapy to first responders and classrooms.
Rocket’s Early Life as a Guide Dog Breeder
Rocket was born March 15th, 2017 at the Guide Dogs for the Blind campus in San Rafael, CA. For those who are curious about the path to becoming a Guide Dog, here’s how it works at GDB. Puppies are born on campus and spend the first 8 weeks there. They spend the next year and a half or so with a volunteer puppy raiser. In Rocket’s case, it was a high school student and her family. During that time, the puppies in training are socialized and learn basic commands. At approximately a year and a half, many of the puppies return to campus. A select few are evaluated for the breeding program and the others begin formal Guide Dog training. Along the way, if it’s determined that guide work is not the best fit, a pup will be “career changed” and either adopted by the raiser as a pet or placed with another service dog agency.
During his time as a breeder, Rocket sired eleven litters for GDB with a total of sixty-nine puppies, many of whom are now working as guides. Four of his daughters and one of his sons became breeders for GDB. He retired as a breeder in September 2023.
Becoming a Certified Therapy Dog
When Rocket joined Emily’s family, she wanted to continue the work she’d done with her first GDB breeder, Lucio. Emily and Rocket received their certification as a therapy dog team through Pet Partners. The certification process consisted of online classes and an extensive, in-person evaluation. They began making weekly visits to the ER at their local hospital and at local schools. Rocket especially loves his visits to Redwood High School, where he sees his friends in a special ed classroom, mingles with students and staff, and serves as the unofficial mascot for the football team.
Rocket and Emily also work together as a certified team with First Responder Therapy Dogs (FRTD). FRTD was founded by Heidi Carman who is the dog mom/handler of a golden retriever named Kerith. He especially seems to enjoy the community events where he gets lots of attention from children.
Fun Facts About Rocket:
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He hates water. No interest in swimming (actively hates it). Jumps over puddles to avoid them. Doesn’t like going out in the rain or getting a bath.
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He isn’t very interested in retrieving, or playing with sticks or balls. He does like to chew on toys/Benebones
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He gets very bouncy when he is excited. He still gets the zoomies and is well-known for his Rocket spins.
Stay in touch with Rocket:
To get to know Rocket better, follow him on Instagram: @labrarocket
You can read more about the impact they have made in their community in a recent article that featured their story in their local paper:
Find out more about the benefits of therapy dog programs:
The Clinical Benefits of Therapy Dogs:
How Therapy Dogs Can Improve Physical and Mental Health: