Riley Faith

A Diamond in the Ruff

Riley’s Rescue

Riley was rescued by Buffalo C.A.R.E.S. Animal Rescue on Thanksgiving Day 2018. During a surprise visit, CPS found her locked in a crate that was too small for her and, worse, filled with large amounts of excrement and waste. The owners willingly surrendered her to animal control, and the paperwork indicated Riley was 1.5 years old at the time of her rescue.

Riley was severely matted and required an emergency groom upon arrival at the shelter. The full-body mat weighed a shocking total of 3 lbs. What they found underneath was truly appalling.

Riley experienced extreme neglect. She required dental surgery to remove 5 rotted teeth, weighed only 7 lbs, and was terrified of the world, having never been socialized. It also became clear she could not stay at the shelter; she was too stressed and was showing signs of kennel deterioration. She was placed in a foster home a week later.

Riley laying down in the grass/clover field. Therapy Dog. Animal-Assisted Therapy.
Riley laying down in the grass/clover field. Therapy Dog. Animal-Assisted Therapy.

Riley spent the month of December in foster care, where she slowly began putting on weight. Her foster family said she was still “very shut down” and was very skittish interacting with humans. In addition, Riley didn’t know how to play with toys or other dogs and instead isolated herself.

Jessica and her family met Riley in early January of 2019 after they discussed getting a second dog for their 10-year-old Shih Tzu, Hunter. During the meet-and-greet, Riley was interested in Hunter, but she was still wary of people. But Jess and her family saw her heart, and Riley was officially adopted on January 19, 2019.

After the standard decompression period, Riley began to display resource guarding and fear-based reactivity behaviors, which is common in rescue dogs who have experienced significant trauma. Jessica immediately responded by hiring a dog trainer.

Little did she know this would change the trajectory of her life in amazing new ways.

Riley happily running towards Jessica Allen LCSW off screen. She has bright eyes and tongue out. Therapy Dog. Rescue Dog.
Riley happily running towards Jessica Allen LCSW off screen. She has bright eyes and tongue out. Therapy Dog. Rescue Dog.
Multiple dogs of various breeds resting on a black indoor floor, with people standing and some leaning against the wall in the background.
Multiple dogs of various breeds resting on a black indoor floor, with people standing and some leaning against the wall in the background.
Line of people with Cane Corsos on leashes in a training room. A small white dog in a pink hoodie sits in the foreground.
Line of people with Cane Corsos on leashes in a training room. A small white dog in a pink hoodie sits in the foreground.
Dogs lying down and sitting at a training class with people standing around.
Dogs lying down and sitting at a training class with people standing around.

Riley’s Resilience

Riley started training at home due to her fear-reactivity towards other dogs. It would take consistent daily training, but Riley successfully graduated to socialization classes and then group obedience classes.

Jessica would spend years training with Riley, building connection, consistently showing up, being patient, and, above all, loving Riley through every trial and triumph.

When Riley was 4 years old, something clicked. She began affiliating with people of her own choosing. Shortly after this change of behavior, Riley’s training pivoted to building her confidence. Jessica and Riley got involved in dog sports, and they discovered Riley’s first love, agility.

A white dog is jumping over an agility hurdle in an indoor dog training facility, with agility tunnels and obstacles in the background.
A white dog is jumping over an agility hurdle in an indoor dog training facility, with agility tunnels and obstacles in the background.

Classes, seminars, and workshops eventually led to dog trials (competitions), successful “qualifying” runs (Qs), ribbons, and titles (awards).

In the ring, Riley and Jessica shared a special connection built on trust and communication. Together they earned over 25 titles in agility across multiple organizations, including NADAC, CPE, and AKC!

Riley has since semi-retired from agility at the age of 9; she continues to do shorter courses for fun but without the pressure of competitions. She also continues to play in barn hunts as well.

However, Jessica and Riley are now taking on a new dog sport, rally obedience! This sport is about the handler and dog moving through a specific sequence of obedience maneuvers.

A person and a small white dog running on an indoor agility training course with cones, tunnels, and obstacles. Dog Agility. Dog Sports. Work-Life Balance. Fun. Animal-Assisted Therapy.
A person and a small white dog running on an indoor agility training course with cones, tunnels, and obstacles. Dog Agility. Dog Sports. Work-Life Balance. Fun. Animal-Assisted Therapy.
Riley, a small, curly-haired dog with open mouth running on a yellow and purple agility ramp, with Jessica Allen just barely in the photo.
Riley, a small, curly-haired dog with open mouth running on a yellow and purple agility ramp, with Jessica Allen just barely in the photo.
Riley jumping over a small hurdle in an agility course
Riley jumping over a small hurdle in an agility course
Riley, a small white dog, is running and jumping off a yellow and purple agility ramp during an indoor dog agility training or competition.
Riley, a small white dog, is running and jumping off a yellow and purple agility ramp during an indoor dog agility training or competition.

Coming Full Circle

The greatest achievement in Riley and Jessica’s training journey was when they obtained their certification as a therapy dog team in July of 2023, when Riley was 6 years old.

They spent the next two years volunteering their time in the Buffalo community, visiting the local VA hospital, schools, colleges, and more.

After gaining experience as a volunteer team, Jessica began researching how to incorporate Riley into her professional career as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

Jessica Allen LCSW, C-AAIS, AAT-I professional headshot with Riley in her arms smiling at the camera.
Jessica Allen LCSW, C-AAIS, AAT-I professional headshot with Riley in her arms smiling at the camera.
Riley faith professional photo in Lancaster, NY. Riley is a certified therapy dog participating in animal therapy with Jessica Allen, LCSW.

This led Jessica to learning about becoming a professional therapy dog team certification through AAAIP. Jessica spent a year learning and studying the human-animal bond and how to ethically incorporate animals into her therapy practice.

After receiving her certification, Jessica began implementing animal-assisted therapy with her clients, and soon after, the idea to build her own practice began to form.

Canine Connected Counseling was born.

Riley visiting the Batavia, NY VA Senior Living and Rehab Lodges.
Riley visiting the Batavia, NY VA Senior Living and Rehab Lodges.
Riley visiting with the SPS staff at the Buffalo VA Hospital during a scheduled therapy dog visit. She is held by a man in hospital scrubs and hairnet.
Riley visiting with the SPS staff at the Buffalo VA Hospital during a scheduled therapy dog visit. She is held by a man in hospital scrubs and hairnet.
Riley visiting the student athletes at the University of Buffalo North Campus.
Riley visiting the student athletes at the University of Buffalo North Campus.