Meet Emery, a trailblazer in our program whose path took a powerful turn, from service dog hopeful to full-time therapy partner changing lives every day.
At Northeast Canine, our goal is for every dog we raise to graduate as a fully trained service dog. But sometimes, life has a different path in mind. And sometimes, that path is even more perfect than we could’ve imagined.
Meet Emery, one of the most skilled, focused, and promising dogs we’ve ever trained. From her earliest days, it was clear she had the heart of a helper and the instincts of a natural. But when unexpected health issues ruled her out from being matched with a veteran, we faced an incredibly hard call. She couldn’t be a full-time service dog.
But we also knew this: Emery needed to work. She was born to support people. We just had to find the right way.
Enter Courtney Hutchinson, a seasoned social worker, psychotherapist, and longtime big-dog lover. By chance, or fate, Courtney had started volunteering with Northeast Canine after the loss of her own Great Dane. She wasn’t looking for a dog yet. Just a way to stay close to the breed she loved.
“I gave it a shot and reached out,” Courtney says. “Within a week, we were puppy sitting one of Emery’s brothers and then came Emery herself. She stole all of our hearts.”
When it became clear Emery couldn’t be placed through our traditional program, Megan reached out to Courtney with an idea: What if Emery could work as a therapy dog? Not in the clinical sense, but in the deeply personal, room-shifting, life-affirming way she was already doing during her visits.
Courtney didn’t hesitate. “There was no question. I said yes instantly. She was made for this.”
Courtney and Emery trained together to become a certified therapy dog team. They passed their national test, committed to ongoing visits and re-certification, and never looked back.
Today, Emery is a full-time member of Courtney’s practice. She works with children, teens, veterans, and older adults navigating trauma, grief, and major life transitions. Together, they serve at the Amesbury Council on Aging, assisted living facilities, Children’s Hospital, a hospice house, and Courtney’s private therapy practice.
“For many clients, especially veterans and teens, opening up in therapy can be really hard. But when Emery’s in the room, the energy shifts. They’re more present. Less anxious. More open. Sometimes, just having her there makes all the difference.”
Emery isn’t just comfort, she’s connection. She senses when to lay her head in someone’s lap, when to sit quietly by their feet, when to break the tension with a goofy tail wag.
“Emery has saved lives. That’s not an exaggeration. Clients have told me directly: if it wasn’t for Emery, I don’t know where I’d be.”
While Emery didn’t become a traditional service dog, her impact is undeniable and extraordinary. She was the Northeast Canine’s first-ever Hall of Famer litter graduate, a title reserved for dogs who remind us that success isn’t always about sticking to the plan. Sometimes, it’s about finding the path that needs you most.
“Anyone can start a nonprofit and train dogs,” Courtney says. “But what Northeast Canine does is different. It’s built on passion, deep knowledge, and a commitment that changes lives — human and canine alike.”
We’re honored to celebrate Emery, her incredible new role, and the serendipitous journey that brought her and Courtney together.
We are forever grateful to Kim Orr for her generous support as Emery’s sponsor on her journey to becoming a fully certified Service Dog. Because of you, Emery was able to train, grow, and ultimately change a life. Thank you, Kim!
It takes 18 months and nearly $30,000 to prepare a Dane like Emery, but our recipients never pay a cent. They’ve already paid with their service. Your support makes these life-changing partnerships possible, ensuring that freedom, mobility, and dignity never come with a price tag.
