About

A woman and a Havanese Dog lying on the ground

A Woman practicing tricks with a Havanese Dog

A man sitting while holding a Havanese dog on the beach

A man, a woman, and a Havanese dog looking happy

A man, a woman and a Havanese Dog on the beach

The author

Wendy C. Goldstein

My mom, Wendy C. Goldstein, never owned a dog before me! I quickly showed her that dogs are better than people. Mom got the idea to write and illustrate books about me when a crowd gathered and began cheering when I started dancing in the streets of New York City on my hind legs.

She hopes that this book will encourage kids to be themselves, follow their dreams, and act from the heart. When Mom and I are not volunteering at healthcare facilities (or writing and illustrating books about me), she is a lawyer in New York City, representing clients in healthcare and life sciences.

Mom always tells me that I am the best birthday gift she ever got from my dad (her wonderful husband).

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Hi, I'm Oscar!

Thanks for reading my story. It’s all true! I am a registered therapy dog with New York Therapy Animals. When my bandana, identification badge, and trading cards come out, I know it’s time to go to work. I visit kids at a cancer treatment center in New York City, and a home for children and their families who receive care at New York City hospitals.

My favorite food is cheese (but I would never turn down a piece of lamb). When I am not working or hanging out with my fur friends, I enjoy playing, jumping, chasing balls, and exploring new places. I am really smart and love learning new tricks. You will always find me with a big smile on my face and a spring in my step. I am very loving and sweet and believe that belly rubs are the best. You can follow my adventures on Instagram @oscar_myhavanese

A Havanese Dog with a big yoga ball standing

Havanese dog lying down with a button board

A Havanese Dog in his dog house decorated with Haloween theme

about my breed

The Havanese (that is the kind of dog I am!) first were bred in Cuba. Someone from Spain brought an ancestor of the bichon frise (another kind of dog) there, which was then bred with another dog breed, the South American terrier. When these two dog breeds got together, the Havanese were born! In the mid-1970s, a woman in the United States saved 11 Havanese from people who fled Cuba.

Havanese are the national dog of Cuba. We are sometimes known as the “Cuban silky dogs” because of our long silky hair. We typically weigh between 7 – 14 pounds (I weigh 13 pounds), and come in all colors. A few words often used to describe us include happy, loving, playful, social, and spirited. We are also highly intelligent, extremely agile, and love to please. Because of these traits, we entertained Cuban royalty and became known as little circus dogs! This is the reason I am so good at tricks and learning new skills!

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More about Oscar

Many people we meet during our visits ask mom a lot about my habits and personal favorites. Here is more about me and my favorite things.

Favorite place to sleep

Mom’s pillow or on her feet

Favorite toy

Tie between my soccer balls and moose family

Favorite food

Cheese! Please read “Oscar’s Blue Bandana”

Favorite treat

Turkey tendons

Favorite summer sport

Tennis (chasing balls, balls and more balls)

Favorite winter sport

Soccer

Favorite place to nap

On the cool floor with my head on a stone bear sculpture

Best canine friend

Moxie, the yorkie

Least favorite dog breed

Bulldog

Long walks or short walks?

The longer the better!

Land or water?

Definitely land

Jog or sprint?

Sprint - I am super-fast

Speed eater or grazer

Grazer

Number of toys

Hundreds - Havanese love variety

Number of balls

Too many to count

City or country?

City

Sweater or jacket?

Neither - I hate clothes

Favorite trick?

Mommy kiss

Television or music?

Music

About therapy Dogs

A therapy dog partners with a human handler to provide comfort and affection to people in need. Any breed can be a therapy dog, but they must be well-trained, calm, friendly, and comfortable with new places and people. Once you and your human handler complete a course, pass a test, and register with a therapy organization, you can find local volunteer opportunities at a variety of places such as in healthcare, education, social, and more. Therapy dogs have a huge impact in the communities they visit. It is a rewarding experience and Mom and I encourage dog owners to consider becoming therapy teams.

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More about therapy dogs

These are some of the more frequent questions that my mom and I get asked about therapy dogs during our visits:

Does Oscar belong to the hospital?

No. I am the fur baby of my mom and dad.

Does Oscar sleep at the hospital?

No. I visit the hospital and then go home with my mom.

Can I keep Oscar in my room overnight?

No. I must be with my mom, my handler, at all times.

Can I take a photo with Oscar?

Yes! I love posing for pictures with my friends.

Can I pet Oscar?

Yes! I love to be petted. I especially love my belly rubbed.

Can I walk Oscar myself?

No. My mom, my handler, must hold on to my leash at all times.

Does Oscar ever bark?

No. I never bark during my visits.

How do I become a therapy dog team with my dog?

My mom recommends that you research the therapy dog organizations in your area. Generally, therapy dog organizations require that the handler and the dog complete a multi-week educational course that includes hands on training. The team is assessed after the course. If the team passes the assessment, and the dog passes a medical exam at the vet, they can register and get insured with the therapy dog organization. The team then works with the therapy dog organization to identify appropriate placements for the team. Certain placements may have additional testing requirements and medical clearances. Depending on the therapy dog organization, the team will be reassessed every 1 -2 years.
Prior to enrolling in a therapy dog training class, the dog should have successfully completed obedience training. The American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Program (CGC) is a good precursor to a therapy dog training class. The CGC is helpful because it has many (but not all) skills that are assessed by therapy dog organizations.

What does the therapy dog team assessment involve?

Therapy dog organizations may have different requirements. Generally, however, the team is assessed for basic obedience skills (including sit, down, stay, come, leave it,walking by a dog without reacting, walking on a loose leash, walking by a crowd without reacting), temperament and situational success through role playing scenarios. The scenarios are designed to assess how a dog would react in a health care or other facility sitting and may include sloppy petting by numerous people, loud noises, wheelchairs and other equipment passing by and other distractions.

Can any dog breed become a therapy dog?

Yes.

Check out some videos!

Oscar is a quick learner. He loves to learn something new every day. After his first morning walk, Oscar learns a new trick or how to spell a new word before breakfast. His excitement for learning keeps Mom on her toes and always looking for new skills to teach him.