Our pets accomplish a great deal while looking after us, and at times, this can feel a bit daunting.
At other moments, they might have endured a distressing event that’s rendering it tough for them to tackle a once routine activity.
This is true for Sully, who has faced several challenging situations causing him to panic during grooming sessions.
Fortunately, with the aid of his emotional support animal, a rat named Benny, he is able to cope noticeably better, as showcased in the video by the YouTuber Girl With The Dogs.
The Two Unexpected Companions Are Ready For A Proper Grooming
Upon their arrival at the grooming salon, it’s evident that the young Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix feels more anxious compared to his tiny companion who dashes around cheerfully.
However, once the groomer is made aware of the circumstances, she ensures to keep the two near each other, and soon enough, Sully begins to calm down as well.
Time For A Wash!
With Sully’s anxiety addressed, it was time to commence the cleaning process. He was the first to step up.
Despite trying to make a break for it at least once, he managed to settle down once Benny was brought close, resulting in no objections during the washing.
A bit intimidated by the water, he found that treats weren’t enough to soothe him; consequently, encouragement from his emotional support friend and soothing words were utilized instead.
Drying The Canine
The drying stage proved to be a bit more challenging, despite him being constrained.
Typically, dogs have a fear of loud sounds, and a blow dryer is unavoidable with such noise.
Nonetheless, the groomer made an effort to protect his ears from the loudness using a Happy Hoodie.
Additionally, she refrained from washing his face and ears during the bath to eliminate the need for drying those areas later.
This appears to be a common practice for dogs undergoing their first grooming experience to ensure it’s not frightening and discouraging for future grooming.
Wrapping Up
With him fully dried, it was time to trim his fur in specific areas and clip his nails.
The trimmer was rather noisy, causing Sully to feel apprehensive, but calming techniques previously used were applied which assisted him during the fur trimming.
The nail clipping, conversely, posed a greater challenge.
Sully had a traumatic experience with nail trimming as a young puppy, making him quite anxious and jumpy at the sound of it.
Fortunately, the groomer was skilled, managing to accomplish the task, but it required some time, moving slowly and allowing Sully plenty of breaks if he appeared too frightened.
Ultimately, she was able to finish the grooming session, and Sully was all set.
Next, it was time to tend to the easier of the duo, Benny.
Benny’s Bath Time
Grooming a rat is significantly easier than grooming a dog, as all Benny required was a bath, which he tackled without any difficulty.
Although he scurried around the tub’s edge, he didn’t show any signs of objection towards the process.
He amusingly tried to shake the water off his fur afterward, much like a dog, which was quite a sight.
Best Friends Reunited
With all tasks completed, the mood became significantly more cheerful, allowing both to explore the groomer’s yard.
Sully seemed much more relaxed, and Benny was eager to support his canine buddy’s needs.
This unusual pair shares a genuinely touching bond that’s truly remarkable to witness, and I encourage everyone to emulate their example.
Can Any Animal Serve As An Emotional Support Animal?
Absolutely. This is not a role limited to only dogs, as it all depends on what alleviates your stress.
In Sully’s scenario, it is Benny, the rat, with whom he has formed a remarkable connection, and being near him helps him to move past previous trauma.
If you discover your pup facing difficulties in coping with certain situations due to trauma or other factors, he may simply benefit from having a companion to help him navigate these challenges.
Until next time, pet guardians.