Remi is a 45-pound Labrador retriever who lives in Hendersonville—and she has a very special job. As a certified therapy dog, she spends much of her time visiting assisted living facilities, memory care units, mental health institutions, schools, and local businesses. Her goal? To help people going through hard times find moments of joy that brighten their day.

In her five years with her owner, Mike Bush, the two have visited hundreds of people, bringing some much-needed paw-sitivity wherever they go.

“She is special because she cares,” Mike shared. “I know it may sound crazy, but she is so present everywhere we go. She builds off the energy of the people she knows need care. She takes in her environment and responds accordingly. A dog with that much sense is so special, and I’m glad she’s mine.”

Caring is just part of the journey for Remi. From gentle nudges to well-timed snuggles, seeing her in action is something special. She may not be the biggest dog, but her story runs deep—she was the runt of her litter and almost didn’t survive. But when Mike met her, he just had a feeling: she was born to serve.

Mike spent 20 years in federal law enforcement. When it came time to step into something new, he remembered a friend’s experience with their therapy dog named Angel. He had heard the stories of Angel visiting local hospitals and giving families in challenging situations a bit of hope and peace. After a family conversation, he decided it would be a meaningful next step in retirement.

What he didn’t expect was that Remi wouldn’t just change the lives of others—she would change his life too.

Remi joined the family when she was just eight weeks old, and from the start, Mike began working with her on basic obedience. Therapy dogs often serve in environments full of distractions, so it was important to help Remi stay focused and on task early on.

As their training progressed, something deeper started to take shape. Mike realized how much Remi depended on him—and just how much he was beginning to depend on her. Their mutual trust is what makes them such a strong team today.

“Remi knows what I’ll do and trusts that I won’t put her in any situation that would be a problem,” Mike said. “Trust is so important to us both, and it’s something we’ve built step by step.”

While service dogs undergo rigorous training for their assigned tasks, therapy dogs follow a more standardized process. Mike shared that the American Kennel Club offers a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate, which is often a key step in becoming a therapy dog. The CGC test evaluates a dog’s basic manners and behavior in everyday situations. Dogs must demonstrate skills like walking on a loose leash, sitting politely for petting, staying calm around other dogs and distractions, and coming when called.

It’s designed to show that a dog is well-behaved at home and in public settings. For therapy dogs like Remi, passing the CGC test helps show they’re ready to bring comfort and support to others in a variety of environments.

Remi has more than proven herself as a therapy dog. From the faces that light up when she walks into a room to the quiet, meaningful connections she makes with people, she shows just how powerful a little joy can be. Mike recalled a moment when a visit came full circle: a relative of someone they had seen at a health facility recognized Remi during another visit and shared how much her presence had meant to their loved one.

“That was an amazing moment,” Mike said. “It reminded us that our work is not wasted. I believe I was saved to serve the Lord, and I believe Remi was too. She’s a walking miracle, and if my wife hadn’t picked her out, I don’t know what would have happened. This is our calling. It gives us our purpose.”

Visits with Remi vary month by month, but Mike shares that they have standing monthly visits as well as pop-up visits. Whether it’s for destressing during finals week, a presentation, or even processing challenges like loss of life, Remi and Mike want to be where people need comfort and joy.

To reach out about scheduling, email.