I work with dogs, and most dogs at my workplace are very anxious or have had their names on euthanasia lists before being adopted and trained by my boss.

I work with dogs, and most dogs at my workplace are very anxious or have had their names on euthanasia lists before being adopted and trained by my boss.

One dog who is one of my favorites at work, named Maverick, was almost put down because he was stressed and barked and tried biting a few handlers at the shelter. The first time I met this dog, I let him do his own thing and run around, only petting him if he seemed interested, which wasn’t really common.

The next week when I came back to work, Maverick hopped up at me and got all up in my face, licking it and wagging his tail. He didn’t leave me alone, and when he comes back when his owners go on trips, he is glued to my side.

I love Maverick. He’s a sweet, big baby, and knowing that this dog was on a euthanasia list for being “aggressive and avoidant of people” to now being glued to a person’s side gives me a nice little confidence boost. But more importantly, it makes me happy to know every dog has the ability to become a lovebug—they just need to be given a chance and some patience.

Sometimes the most “difficult” animals just need someone to understand them and give them space to feel comfortable. Maverick taught me that judging an animal based on their behavior in a stressful environment like a shelter isn’t always accurate. Now he’s one of our success stories that we share with potential adopters who are hesitant about dogs with behavioral notes.

It’s amazing how much of a difference the right environment and a little understanding can make in an animal’s life. Maverick went from being considered dangerous to being one of our most affectionate regulars. Every time I see his transformation, it reminds me why I love this job so much.