Strauss: A Therapy Dog's Journey and the Fight Against EPI

Strauss came to me as an 8-week-old puppy. I raised him to become a service dog for Canine Companions. After 19 months of training and socialization, I returned him to the organization to continue his professional training. After six months of learning tasks such as pulling wheelchairs, retrieving items off the ground, and opening and shutting doors, Strauss was sadly released before he could be matched with a person with a disability due to his food allergies.

When I got Strauss home, I immediately certified him as a therapy dog with Pet Partners, and we began our work at Mayo Clinic Hospital, visiting patients through their recreational therapy department. Strauss was always a hit with patients, and they loved the “tricks” he could perform. He brought so many smiles to so many. His favorite activities were picking up items off the floor, resting his head in patients’ hands, and visiting with them.

Unfortunately, during the last year, Strauss developed some serious medical issues. With the assistance of a veterinary internist, we finally got a diagnosis. It was much more than food allergies. Strauss has Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), a rare condition where he doesn’t produce the enzymes necessary to digest food. Many veterinarians see only one or two cases in their entire careers, and it is often overlooked, leading to malnutrition as dogs can’t properly digest their food.

I’m happy to report that Strauss has gained all his weight back. However, due to his compromised immune system, I felt it was best to retire him from therapy work. It was a short but special year volunteering at Mayo Clinic Hospital, and I’m so proud of how he touched so many lives. For more information on his condition, please visit www.epi4dogs.com. I feel strongly that educating others about this condition is essential to saving the lives of other dogs.