Stories of the Dog-Human Bond
October 2026 | No. 8, Vol. 2
The Queen Takes Her Final Bow
She was born to save drowning swimmers, but this Newfoundland chose show business, and then . . .
By Jessica Robinson
Angela Buccinni Butch, founder and artistic director of ABCirque, never planned to raise a therapy dog. Then she brought home a three-month-old Newfoundland puppy named Ahava – Hebrew for “love.”
Newfoundlands are legendary working dogs, born to haul fishermen’s nets, pull heavy carts, and rescue drowning swimmers. Hard labor, in other words, was in Ahava’s blood. But she had other ambitions.
Growing up in Angela’s circus studio, surrounded by acrobats and artists, Ahava decided she belonged in show business.
So, she gave herself a job.
“She became a self-appointed circus studio therapy dog,” Angela jokes, “eager to give attention, and perhaps even more eager to receive it.”
A royal nickname followed naturally: Queen. “She is nothing shy of a diva, who feels all eyes should be on her,” said Angela, “perhaps a result of being raised around performers.”
Then, in 2020, the pandemic closed the studio, and Queen lost her audience. Angela could see how much her people-loving Newfoundland missed the activity and, above all, having a job.
“I realized Ahava needed a purpose,” she explained, “and we could do more together.”
In 2021 they enrolled in The Good Dog Foundation’s four-week therapy dog training program, where Ahava had to learn that being charming was not, by itself, a professional qualification. Therapy dogs must remain calm around strangers, unexpected noises, and unfamiliar situations, while their handlers learn to read their dogs’ signals and know when they’ve had enough.
Ahava at ABCirque Camp
For a dog who had spent most of her life surrounded by flying acrobats, circus performers and commotion, Ahava had something of a head start. Once certified, Angela and Ahava began visiting Brooklyn Community Services’ BC PROS (Personalized Recovery Oriented Services); a program that helps people living with serious mental illness achieve personal recovery and successfully integrate into the community.
Of all the connections Laura Gwinnell, Recovery Specialist at BC PROS, has watched Ahava make over the years, the one that stands out for her is the bond with a participant who had a terminal illness.
“The first time Ahava planted herself squarely on his feet, he was startled, then laughed,” jokes Gwinnell. Apparently, having a gentle giant parked on your feet was one way to make a friend.
“Ahava can be very funny with her diva behaviors,” Gwinnell says. “She sort of snorts and throws her head back. It always gets a laugh.”
But in 2023, the story took an unexpected turn. “Life threw us a huge curveball,” Angela recalls.
“I was in an accident and broke my back and suffered a traumatic brain injury.”
Suddenly the roles were reversed. The dog Angela had trained to comfort others now had someone closer to home who needed her.
When Angela was finally well enough to leave Bellevue Hospital, there was one member of the family she wanted beside her. With her doctors’ permission, her husband brought Ahava to the hospital, and as Angela was wheeled out her lovable bear-dog walked alongside her.
Once home, “Ahava became my steadfast buddy,” Angela says, “always by my side while I was bedridden.”
That was only the beginning of Ahava’s role in Angela’s recovery. When Angela progressed to a walker, Ahava became her rehabilitation assistant, contributing some unorthodox physical therapy by planting herself directly in Angela’s path, “strategically blocking my walker to help me regain my strength — and bringing comic relief.”
In time, Angela grew strong enough for the two to return to their work at BC PROS. For Angela, getting back there has marked another milestone in her own recovery.
A Royal Farewell
Ahava turns 13 in December, and her health and mobility are declining. After a career that took her from a circus studio to a hospital hallway, Queen is stepping down from her throne. She’ll soon be relinquishing her formal duties and hanging up her Good Dog bandana in favor of a well-deserved retirement, loaded with hugs and treats.
Jessica and Henry
Jessica Robinson
Jessica Robinson is producer, director, writer, and former head of Robinson Creative Services, a direct response marketing agency
PUBLISHER PROMISE
Every other month, the Good Dog Dispatch tells a story of humans and dogs joining forces to help people through rough times. Stories you'll want to share with others - every other month, or more if you'd like.Let us know. Tell us what you'd like to know.
Are you a Good Dog Dispatch Story waiting to happen?
Our 350 trained / certified dog-human teams are fanned out across the Tri-State / Greater NY Metro helping over 100,000 people a year at hospitals, schools, nursing homes, libraries, special needs facilities, and increasingly, at the workplace.
We need twice as many! It's tough times that make folks anxious. Dogs bring instant biochemical help triggering a surge of feel-good hormones. Know a loving dog with good manners? Want to make the world a better place working side-by-side with your best tail-wagging buddy?
Please apply. Our standards are high. But we'll help you meet them!
