|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
When 16-year-old Daisy Leng broke her leg a few years ago, she was stuck on the couch, feeling hopeless. Heer dog, Mochi, stayed by her side, offering emotional support. From that moment, it became clear to her that Mochi was destined to be a therapy dog.
“That’s when we started calling him my therapy dog, because he would always be there supporting me and laying next to me,” said Leng, a lifelong Ladera resident. “I think he could tell if I was upset or something was going on and he would just be there to calm me down.”
Mochi, now 7, entered Leng’s life when he was just six months old. His breed, a mix of Bichon Frise, Poodle, and Shih-Tzu, is known as a “daisy dog.”
In 2021, he became certified as a therapy dog through Pet Partners, a nationwide organization that registers and supports volunteer therapy animal teams. Leng and her furry friend have volunteered together and participated in events at Palo Alto High School and Stanford University to provide emotional support to students on campus.
Mochi recently competed for the title of Pet Partners “Pet of the Year,” an annual competition that awards the pet that raises the most money for the organization’s therapy animal program. Leng and Mochi were able to raise $1,953, falling just short of their $2,200 goal.
Although they may not have won the contest, Leng continues to share the message that therapy dogs have a greater impact than many people realize.
“I’ve seen firsthand how much my dog can impact others and just brighten your day,” she said.
Leng said Mochi has a natural ability to comfort others and easily connects with kids, friends and family. In his role as a therapy dog, he tailors the support he provides to each member of the family in different ways.
For Leng’s mother, Mochi goes on walks with her. For her father, he sits down and cuddles to watch sports or a television show.
“It’s kind of different for all of us, but he still provides the same amount of comfort and we all love him,” Leng said.
The duo is looking into volunteering for more therapy pet programs in the community, including a reading program that promotes increased literacy and confidence in children at libraries.
The “Pet of the Year” competition has closed but Leng encourages the community to support organizations like Pet Partners because “therapy animals really do make a difference in a lot of places.”
Although she did not anticipate registering her dog as a therapy pet, Leng said she feels lucky to have a dog that connects well with other people and is proud of the impact he has made on the community by spreading love.
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative announces $10M donation for Menlo Park, East Palo Alto familiesApril 13, 2026 12:00 pm
Redwood City attorney sues ‘First Amendment auditors’ after Menlo Park disputeApril 2, 2026 11:31 am
