Truly heartwarming book about the invaluable jobs our dogs can do for us humans. Full disclosure: my dogs and I have been Pet Partner (formerly Delta Society) volunteers since 2003, and I am a team evaluator, too. So I know the good that therapy dogs can do firsthand. I also help my friend occasionally; she is the best service dog trainer out there. But this enchanting book will help spread the word about what our dogs can do for those whose need may not be visible: autistic children (don't even get me started on how the ability for autistic children to bring their assistance dogs with them to school has been curtailed), veterans or anyone with PTSD, those living with depression. Ms. Leaver writes very eloquently, so movingly, about what her own depression feels like, and how her dog pulls her through the times when she simply cannot. Wonderful book, highly recommended for dog lovers, anyone who cares for someone with PTSD or depression, and legislators who think that autistic children don't need their dogs.

This is such a great book! I learned so much about what all dogs are capable of doing. The stories in this book were enjoyable and enlightening. As someone who grew up with a lot of cats, I feel like this book has helped me understand my own dog better and maybe even added a little extra to our already established bond. Thanks so much to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

Good Dog by Kate Leaver explains how Leaver’s own dog Bertie changed her life by getting her through her struggle of depression. She then goes on to tell us about ten other dogs she meets and how they have each changed and affected their owners for the best. Having a dog gives us an everyday experience of affection, companionship, fun, and laugher, but they continue to go beyond that. Dogs are so much more than only our best friends. They’re used as our guides, diabetic alerts, smelling out cancers, and grief healers. Dogs are even helpful working with Autistic and other special needs children, highly improving their quality of life in many ways.

In between the stories of these dogs and their owners, the author also gives a lot of history, background, and scientific evidence/research on how dogs first began to change human lives and continue to do so. I would recommend this book if you are a lover of dogs and know what it's like to have a dog near and dear to your heart. You can tell how passionate the author is about dogs and how much she really loves them. I could relate to her as I have my own dog I love very much and have also know what it's like to lose a dog as well. There is one chapter in particular that briefly discusses losing a dog and eventually bringing another one into your home. I feel like that isn't talked about enough and I really appreciated that as I went through that.

Thanks so much to Netgalley for sending me an arc. This title will be released on March 9, 2021 on paperback.