2011-2024
Known to many as Gus, Gussers, the General, Gus the Bus, and Gus Gus, this little dog blessed any one of which he ever crossed paths .
Starting as a puppy no one wanted to stand next to because he was the rowdy pup, Gussy tried many different career paths. Agility, obedience, barn hunting and dance to name a few. Finally deciding he was meant to share his gift as a healer, Gus trained and studied hard to become a straight A Therapets Therapy Dog.
Gus took his healing job very seriously and worked for Carilion for years. There he made friends with and shared his love with many both sick and healthy. Whether visiting in the palliative care, the ICU, trauma unit, or specific patients, he loved visiting the children’s floor the best. He worked mostly out of Roanoke Memorial Hospital but visitors could also find him meandering and tail wagging around the ION building, Riverside and even in the Cancer Center.
He also volunteered in his favorite class at MPE. There he was read to, visited before a test and shared his love with his students in his class for years.
He supported many college students along the way. Visiting students at Radford, Roanoke College, VT Medical College and VMI to name a few.
He loved traveling and exploring the woods, the waters and the country. Monthly trips to the Jersey shore to visit his grandparents, aunts, uncles and best friends were among his favorite. Trips to Colorado, Vermont, Maine and any beach he loved.
Gus was an avid paddle boarder. (Ask him to kayak and he would immediately answer that he doesn’t kayak.) He loves the beach the most and running in the sand! On weekends if Gus wasn’t SUP at Claytor Lake, SML, the bay, ocean, river or at Carvins Cove, one could find Gussy cheering loudly and coaching his dad to another victory. Because of his high expectations of his athlete, he has coached him to many national championships and victories in his almost 13 year coaching career.
Gussy’s health started to rapidly decline after having an amazing trip to see his grandparents, family, and friends in NJ over Spring Break. Trips to Botetourt Vet and VT confirmed, he was a very sick little dog.
Gus passed May 10th while battling cancer, MVD and other neurological problems. He enjoyed his last weekends doing things he loved, talking on the phone to his grandparents and aunts in NJ, visiting and being visited by friends and family he loved, and eating Jersey Mikes and Brusters.