• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Profiles
    • Athletes
    • Cuties
    • Entertainers
    • Fashionistas
    • Heroes
    • Tricksters
    • Working dogs
  • Listings
  • Privacy Statement
  • Website Terms Of Use
  • Work With Us
  • Contact Us
Talent Hounds
Join Talent Hounds
Training tips, videos, photos, news and more for dog lovers.
  • News
    • Latest Buzz News
    • Feature Stories
    • Wordless Wednesday Wisdom
    • Inspiration
    • Gallery
      • Athletes
      • Cuties
      • Entertainers
      • Fashionistas
      • Funny
      • Heroes
      • Rescues
      • Service Dogs
      • Trailer
      • Tricksters
      • Working Dogs
      • Promos
  • Fun
  • Training
    • Training Tuesday
    • Dog Training Tips
    • Trainer Profiles
    • Puppies
  • Dog Health
    • Fit Dog Friday
    • Dog Health Tips
  • Rescues
    • Rescue Rock
  • Contests
  • About
    • About Talent Hounds TV
    • Behind the Scenes
    • Hop To It Productions
      • Susan Nation
      • Carrie Cutforth
      • Nina Beveridge
      • Paul Hart
  • Product Reviews
  • Recipes & DIYs
  • Pugs

How Smiley the Amazing Blind Therapy Dog Brought Hope and Smiles to Millions

March 27, 2019 by Talent Hounds 9 Comments

10 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Smiley The Blind Therapy Dog RIP

Smiley was a completely blind fifteen year old gorgeous golden retriever who made everyone he met smile.

Smiley the Blind Therapy Dog smiling and bringing smiles and hope to millions around the world. He shows it is more than OK to be different.

We first met Smiley and his Mom Joanne over 6 years ago with our friends at Dog Guru. Several members of the TV production team actually cried with happiness as we took the photo above and filmed his beautiful trademark smile. There was something truly special about him, even beyond his soft coat, lovely face and gentle nature. The world smiled with him.

We have featured Smiley in our Talent Hounds one hour documentary and in the Dogs Make a Difference TV episode, and we will feature what we learned from him in a new TV special about how Kids and Dogs go well together.

Talent Hounds Smiley and Shep
Smiley and his boy

Smiley’s History- from Puppy Mill to Loving Family and Friends

Smiley was born in a puppy-mill, without eyes. He lived there for two miserable years before being adopted by his family thirteen years ago.

His Mom Joanne was working as a vet tech at the time.  She was sent to the puppy-mill and she and her co-workers rescued Smiley. They tried to find him a home but no one wanted to adopt him.  Joanne was convinced to care for him and decided to try to prove that blind dogs can do anything “normal” dogs can.

All dogs are born blind. For two weeks they rely on their mothers and their other senses as they start to see. Smiley’s eyes never developed so he never got sight which may have been a consequence of dwarfism which also affected his appearance. His closed eyes, wide mouth and large teeth make him look like he is grinning happily. He looks to Joanne for help, but also uses his other senses like smell, hearing and touch. Dogs have extraordinary senses of smell and great hearing, much better than humans.

Smiley had infections when he came to live with Joanne and had to undergo a few procedures to lessen the pain. For any dog, adapting to a new environment can be hard, especially if they grew up in a puppy mill. Training Smiley to life in his new home was a challenge at first, as he was used to such a limited life in a cage. Even things like a phone ringing and grass were new. He went to work with her at the veterinary clinic. He could not be left home alone, was afraid to ride in a car, and was very withdrawn. Under Joanne’s care, he gradually learned to overcome some of his fears. Joanne had another dog at the time, a Great Dane named Tyler, who helped a lot with Smiley’s transition and teaching.

Talent Hounds Smiley and Joanne
Photo Courtesy of Joanne

Smiley was at Joanne’s side for her key milestones like getting married and having her human son Shepherd. He was the best friend, son and brother anyone could hope for.

Smiley and his beautiful Family

Today his brothers, including older Border Collie Pip, boy Shepherd, and puppy Pal (RIP), had his back.

Our talented mutual friend Hero the Super Collie also had his back.

Hero the Super Collie hugging Smiley
Hero and Smiley

His adopted younger brother Pal was also blind. Joanne explained that they rescued Pal the puppy from Istanbul, sickly and without eyes, and went through the challenges of a new home life again. Smiley made sure Pal felt cared for and not alone or lost. Unfortunately Pal could not overcome his illnesses.

Smiley's brothers Pal and Pip.
Smiley’s brothers Pal and Pip.

We were very sad as Smiley reached the end of his journey – the vet found masses on his stomach and liver. Our thoughts and love continue with  his family.

Sunny the blind therapy dog continues Smiley's legacy
see on https://www.facebook.com/smileytheblindtherapydog/

He now has an adorable new blind brother Sunny who is helping continue his legacy.

See Potential not Disabilities

Smiley the Blind Therapy Dog smiling - he brings smiles to millions and shows it's OK to be different

Smiley did not let the fact that he was blind stop him from doing normal doggy things and more.  Smiley never let his disability stand in his way and lived a very good active life. He ran and played on their property and went on lots of adventures with his family.

Talent Hounds Smiley running for joy in field
Smiley running for joy – facebook.com/smileytheblindtherapydog/

Why Smiley Made Such a Good Therapy Dog

We are big believers in the physical and mental benefits of Therapy Dogs. There is such strong evidence that looking at and patting a dog can increase feelings of well being and reduce stress. Smiley was a St. John Ambulance therapy dog and he also visited schools for anti-bullying programs.

Joanne explained that therapy dogs must be good with socializing and must be able to interact with strangers and children. They must have good manners with anyone. Smiley visited with children as well as the elderly and the environments and energy levels were different.

Smiley helped the kids because he connected with them. He helped them understand that it’s OK to be different. He showed that he overcame challenges and they can as well, even if their challenge is something like doing math.

Joanne believes Smiley was bullied and bitten by other dogs at the Puppy Mill as he had a few scars. Joanne says she tells the kids about Smiley’s scars and blindness and uses that to relate to bullying and human abilities or differences. He was a wonderful role model. He didn’t judge and was there for them. Sunny is following in his foosteps.

Smiley’s Book

Smiley has a book which is a collection of pictures and short stories about his life. Joanne (pictured with Sunny and the book) frequently does meet and greets like today in Oshawa May 11, 2019 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM at the McLaughlin Branch Auditorium Oshawa Public Library. You can find out about them through the facebook page below.

Other merchandise like bobble heads and T-shirts are occasionally available too, with revenue used for vet bills and other expenses.

Follow Social Smiley

Smiley is extremely popular online. Smiley can be found on Instagram @smileytheblindtherapydog and Facebook at Smiley The Blind Therapy Dog.  The many pictures posted and shared are a nice collection of all that he has overcome and done for others.

Has Smiley or another dog touched your life? Tell us in the comments.

Filed Under: Featured Stories, Talent Hound Videos, THANKFUL THURSDAY Tagged With: puppy mill rescue, smiley, smiley the blind therapy dog

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cathy Armato says

    August 12, 2017 at 9:02 pm

    What a beautiful post! Therapy Dogs are amazing but Smiley is one extra special Therapy Dog! Thanks for sharing his story – the wonderful work he’s doing.
    Love & biscuits
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

    Reply
  2. Tenacious Little Terrier says

    September 15, 2017 at 10:39 pm

    Smiley is an amazing dog and this is a lovely tribute to him. Despite his terrible puppyhood, he’s accomplished so much in his life and brought so much joy!

    Reply
  3. Shelby G. says

    September 16, 2017 at 3:45 am

    Omg, I remember hearing about him!! What a cutie. I’m so happy that Smiley is making so many others feel joy.

    Reply
  4. Paroma Chakravarty says

    September 16, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    Smiley is such a gorgeous pup! I love how positive his outlook is to life and so glad that he found a great home and now siblings too!

    Reply
  5. Michelle says

    September 16, 2017 at 6:16 pm

    What a wonderful story, made me smile :o) Smiley is a beautiful soul, thank you for sharing his story, made my heart melt.

    Reply
  6. Denise says

    September 17, 2017 at 11:15 pm

    What a wonderful, feel good story about a truly inspirational dog. I love the work he is doing. An animal with special needs has such an impact on both kids and adults. His human has taken it even further by teaching anti bullying with him. AMAZING!

    Reply
  7. Sweet Purrfections says

    September 18, 2017 at 2:59 am

    I love “seeing potential, not disabilities.” What a wonderful approach. Smiley was very lucky someone cared enough to rescue him and give him a wonderful home.

    Reply
  8. Stephanie Seger says

    September 19, 2017 at 3:00 am

    Oh my, what an amazing story! I am in tears! I will be praying for him and his wonderful family. Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful story of love, kindness and using God’s gifts for the good of others.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

newsletter

Follow Us!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on InstagramFollow Us on PinterestFollow Us on YouTubeFollow Us on RSS

ABOUT TALENT HOUNDS

Talent Hounds started as a TV series exploring the changing roles of dogs and how they enrich our lives. We have grown into a Content Hub and Community for Dog Lovers. Our mission: Inspire. Connect. Inform. Entertain. I am Susan Nation - I manage the community. Kilo the cute little Black Rescue Pug is my sidekick and inspiration. Please join our community. Contact us if you have content, tips or resources to share.

dog breed quiz

dog breed library

SPONSORS

bullwrinkles

Bullwrinkles delicious dog treats

influencer group

Badge

Recent Articles

  • Tick and Flea Prevention June 2, 2021
  • Border Collie Dog Breed June 1, 2021
  • Round Up of Talent Hounds Best Dog Breeds May 27, 2021
  • Cocker Spaniel Breed May 23, 2021
  • What Is A Maltipoo? May 18, 2021

© Copyright 2020 Talent Hounds · All Rights Reserved