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.

Fun Facts about Westies

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 17 lbs, he is a very small Westie (normal sizes are between 20 and 28 lbs). But don’t let that fool you; he is a portable low-riding tank.

Westley aims to please, but sometimes his intrusive thoughts win and his impulse control shatters. When this happens, you will often see him start to zoom around the room or hear him voice his opinion loudly. This is due to overstimulation, something relatable to many people with neurodivergence. He often matches the energy of those around him, a perfect mirror.

Jessica and Westley are currently working together on expanding his current thresholds.

Finding His Thresholds

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.

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! Currently, he is competing in local nose work trials when they come up.

All of these sports also help build up Westley’s confidence 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 and is currently focused on building up his tolerance to new, constantly changing settings (something required for volunteering as a therapy dog) and improving his confidence around groups of people. Westley is great when one-on-one, but like many smaller-sized dogs, groups of people can be intimidating.

Westley has received temperament testing and extensive obedience training from puppy university to novice competition obedience. In addition, he completed his AKC Canine Good Citizen and AKC Community Canine titles. Now it’s putting those teachings into public practice through exposure and repetition.

You can find him practicing 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.