Westley Bernard

Lil’Guy, Big Heart

Westley was born on July 15, 2022, in Youngstown, NY, to MaryAnn Shank of MAGS Westies. He came home with Jessica and her husband on September 21, 2022, and their world was forever changed.

Because of Riley’s history, Jessica and her husband felt it was best to get a puppy from an ethical breeder approved by the AKC, who breeds their dogs to better the breed standard.

This increases the likelihood of a stable temperament and reduces the risk of genetic behavioral and health issues or concerns. To find out more about finding an ethical breeder, please click HERE.

Welcome to the World

Westley sticking his tongue out for the camera as a small puppy.
Westley sticking his tongue out for the camera as a small puppy.

The Westie Breed

Westley the westie when he was a small tiny puppy no bigger than his first toy [green dinosaur] which he is currently resting his head against at the time the photo was taken.
Westley the westie when he was a small tiny puppy no bigger than his first toy [green dinosaur] which he is currently resting his head against at the time the photo was taken.

West Highland White Terriers (Westies) were bred to be very vocal dogs so that their handlers could hear them when they were underground chasing vermin (now called Earthdogging)! Their bark is surprisingly loud and big for such a small body.

The reason Westies have a straight and hefty “carrot” tail is so their handlers could pick them up and pull them out of vermin holes.

Westies were intentionally bred to be pure white as a safety measure to prevent them from being mistaken for vermin or foxes. They used to come in all colors, including black and brown.

Westies are confident, independent, and tenacious. They require a lot of consistent training to behave well in modern settings.

Learn More About Westies
Westley jumping over a small agility dog jump.
Westley jumping over a small agility dog jump.
Westley the westie, a small white dog with a playful expression, tongue out, lying in the grass in a park.
Westley the westie, a small white dog with a playful expression, tongue out, lying in the grass in a park.
Westley running with a small cloth frisbee in his mouth.
Westley running with a small cloth frisbee in his mouth.

Westley may be 4 years old now, but he continues to act like a puppy of 2 years old or younger. He looks like it too! Weighing in at only 16 lbs, he is a very compact Westie. He most likely is the runt of his litter because his siblings weigh between 20 and 28 lbs. But don’t let that fool you; he is small in size but has a big heart and is still a low-riding tank.

Westley is sensitive to the energy in a room and often responds to dysregulation by mirroring it. Westley is an excellent communicator, emoting very clearly through his facial expressions, talking, and body language. Making him a great partner for practicing prosocial skills and emotional regulation.

The Perfect Mirror

Westley held by Jessica during the fall for a stunning headshot photo.
Westley held by Jessica during the fall for a stunning headshot photo.

Finding Balance

Westley running, soaring, out of the tunnel during a competition agility match.
Westley running, soaring, out of the tunnel during a competition agility match.

Jessica and Westley are currently focused on widening his tolerance thresholds and learning to be neutral in a variety of settings.

However, it can’t be all work and no play.

Westley and Jessica are building their teamwork up in a variety of dog sports, including agility, barn hunt, and scent work.

Westley has taken a true shine to scent work, and rightfully so; it’s literally in his genes! He has a natural talent and competes in local nose work trials (competitions).

All of these sports help build up Westley’s confidence, connection, and tolerance levels in unknown and new settings, which is essential for therapy dog work.

Westley searching for specific odors hidden in a two rows of 8 boxes. Builds confidence. Therapy Dog in Training.
Westley searching for specific odors hidden in a two rows of 8 boxes. Builds confidence. Therapy Dog in Training.
Westley jumping off the dog agility A-frame at premier dog sports and events center during a competition. Jessica Allen, LCSW is running alongside him .
Westley jumping off the dog agility A-frame at premier dog sports and events center during a competition. Jessica Allen, LCSW is running alongside him .
Westley finding the source odor in the box.
Westley finding the source odor in the box.
A woman sitting on the floor with a white dog wearing a blue bandana that reads, 'Therapy Dog in Training. Please Pardon My Manners.' The woman is wearing a red and black plaid shirt with a light gray hoodie and has long brown hair.
A woman sitting on the floor with a white dog wearing a blue bandana that reads, 'Therapy Dog in Training. Please Pardon My Manners.' The woman is wearing a red and black plaid shirt with a light gray hoodie and has long brown hair.

Therapy Dog in Training

Westley is the future of Canine Connected Counseling.

He has received temperament testing and extensive obedience, starting from puppy university and progressing to advanced obedience classes and even competitive obedience.

In addition, he completed his AKC Canine Good Citizen and AKC Community Canine titles, which are prerequisites to therapy dog training.

Westley does interact with clients on a limited basis in one-on-one therapy sessions. Clients are screened for appropriateness and have consented to work with a therapy dog in training.

You can find him practicing his skills around Buffalo with Jessica at Cabela’s, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Tractor Supply.

Westley headshot with Jessica Allen LCSW in the background. Therapy Dog in Training.
Westley headshot with Jessica Allen LCSW in the background. Therapy Dog in Training.
Westley, a smiling westie, is sitting in a wooden box outdoors in a grassy field.
Westley, a smiling westie, is sitting in a wooden box outdoors in a grassy field.
Jessica Allen LCSW and Westley posing in a grassy field for professional photos.
Jessica Allen LCSW and Westley posing in a grassy field for professional photos.