Quincy the Therapy Dog: A Cream Puff Labradoodle Making a Difference
- Megan McLoughlin
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
What are therapy dogs?
Therapy dogs are trained animals that provide comfort, emotional support, and companionship to people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and other care settings. While they’re not service dogs, therapy dogs play a vital role in reducing stress, lifting spirits, and helping people feel emotionally grounded during difficult moments.
Quincy’s Story
Now meet Quincy, a Cream Puff Labradoodle who has spent the last 7 ½ years as a therapy dog, and counting.
Each week, Quincy visits a local school, where his calm presence and gentle energy have become a source of comfort to students and staff alike. If this wasn’t enough, Quincy recently took on a new role, bringing his signature sweetness to Mountainside Hospital. Though he’s just started visiting the hospital’s staff, the response has already been overwhelming; nurses and doctors line up to take photos with him, grateful for the joy he brings during their busy, emotionally demanding days.
His visits are more than just cute moments. They’re meaningful. They’re therapeutic. And they show us what a therapy dog can do when given the opportunity to shine.
Quincy’s mom shared with us that the hospital has given full permission to post these photos. We’ll admit it: we goofily smiled showing them to our team (and writing this blog post!).
Why Are Australian Labradoodles Excellent Therapy Dogs?
Australian Labradoodles are frequently chosen as therapy dogs due to their calm temperament, intelligence, and trainability. Their gentle nature and people-pleasing personality make them ideal for interacting with individuals needing emotional support or assistance. Additionally, their allergy-friendly, low-shedding coats are a major benefit in places like hospitals and schools, where cleanliness and allergy sensitivity are essential.
Quincy is the perfect example of what makes Australian Labradoodles shine. He’s intuitive, affectionate, and brings emotional ease wherever he goes. All signature traits of a Cream Puff Labradoodle.
The Impact of Therapy Dogs Like Quincy
Therapy dogs help people feel:
Less anxious and more emotionally supported
Connected and calm in unfamiliar or stressful environments
Comforted during medical, academic, or personal challenges
Joyful, even during the toughest days
They also offer staff and caregivers a moment to pause, breathe, and smile; a small but powerful reset that can ripple through an entire workplace or classroom.
Quincy isn’t just “doing visits”. He’s changing the atmosphere wherever he goes.
FAQ: About Therapy Dogs
What’s the difference between a therapy dog and a service dog?
Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities. Therapy dogs offer emotional comfort and connection in settings like schools and hospitals, but they do not have public access rights like service dogs.
Are Australian Labradoodles good therapy dogs?
Yes. They are intelligent, gentle, friendly, and easy to train - ideal qualities for therapy work. Their allergy-friendly coats also make them suitable for environments where allergens are a concern.
Do therapy dogs need certification?
Most therapy dog programs require dogs to pass behavior and health screenings through specialized organizations.
Where do therapy dogs work?
Common therapy dog settings include hospitals, schools, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and even workplaces. Dogs like Quincy offer support wherever connection is needed.
What other types of support dogs are there?
In addition to therapy dogs and service dogs, there are also Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). ESAs provide comfort, companionship, and a calming presence to individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other emotional challenges. Many people find that Australian Labradoodles make wonderful ESAs, and it’s no surprise that many Cream Puffs have gone on to become them.
For families in our Guardian Program, we do want to share that Guardian dogs must remain available for breeding when needed as our lines are extremely important to the health and longevity of our special breed. We know how deeply our dogs bond with their people, and we’re always here to help navigate that balance with care and understanding. For families considering getting a Cream Puff as an ESA we always recommend getting a pet Cream Puff as opposed to a Guardian Cream Puff, this way you can always have them by your side.
FAQ: About Cream Puff Labradoodles
Do many of your dogs become therapy dogs?
They do! Many of our Australian Labradoodles have gone on to become therapy dogs, emotional support animals, and school or facility companions. For over a decade we have carefully bred Cream Puff Labradoodles for temperament, structure, and trainability.
What makes your Australian Labradoodles a good fit for therapy work?
We focus on multigenerational Australian Labradoodles with consistent, people-oriented temperaments. Our puppies are raised with early socialization and enrichment protocols that help set the stage for calm, confident adult dogs.
Where can I learn more about your parent dogs?
Each litter page includes downloadable PDFs with details about the parent dogs, such as health testing, temperament descriptions, and photos, so families can get to know the lineage behind their puppy.
Are Cream Puff Labradoodles hypoallergenic?
While no dog or dog breed can ever be 100% hypoallergenic, our Australian Labradoodles have low-shedding, allergy-friendly coats, making them a great fit for families with sensitivities or for working in schools and medical settings. They have hair, not fur. For this reason, Australian Labradoodles are often referred to as hypoallergenic.
What if I’m allergic to my puppy?
We understand how important it is for you to find a furry friend who fits seamlessly into your life without triggering uncomfortable allergic reactions. Our special allergy visits are designed to help you determine if one of our Australian Labradoodle puppies is the perfect match for you. Not every breeder offers allergy visits, even those who are accredited like we are, so please do your research beforehand.
How do I go about getting a Cream Puff Labradoodle?
The first step is to fill in our application form and place a deposit on our litter list. Our Puppy Allocation Process explains how everything works. We appreciate you considering us!
Do you offer ongoing support?
Yes. We provide support and guidance throughout your journey with your Cream Puff. We love to keep in touch and feel privileged that so many Cream Puff Families decide to send us updates long after their puppy’s Gotcha Day. We also send out a newsletter each month where we feature a Cream Puff of the Month and links to meaningful blog articles and tips. Our website was designed to be a resource hub for families long after our puppies leave us.
Where can I follow stories of Cream Puff therapy dogs like Quincy?
On our blog, in our newsletter (if you aren’t subscribed please drop an email to hello@creampufflabradoodles.com requesting that we add you), and on social media. Our Cream Puff Family community is most active on Instagram. Follow @CreamPuffLabradoodles for heartwarming updates, photos, and stories of Cream Puff therapy dogs making a difference. If you have a Cream Puff please tag us in your photos, we share all tagged photos throughout the day, every day, and would love to see and share yours!
My Cream Puff is a therapy dog, how do I get featured?
We would love to hear your story and feature your Cream Puff! To be considered please send us an email with your story and photos (with permission from any person or organization in them) to hello@creampufflabradoodles.com.
