Introducing the groom: Darel Raw Buddy Bull
A very nice article about Darlek was published in the KABT 2025 yearbook (author Barbora Hurtová), so we would like to reproduce it here in full with the author's permission:
Interview with the owner of DAREL Raw Buddy Bull, a canine therapist
Is Darel your first bull terrier, or have you had one before?
Darel is my second bull terrier and the fifth dog I've ever had.
Do you have experience with other breeds?
I grew up with German Shepherds. My first dog was a Shih Tzu. I have never experienced a more dominant dog; he "trained" me. Then came a Bandog and bull terriers.
Why a bull terrier?
My first encounter with bull terriers was at the cottage of friends who have a breeding kennel. Ten bull terriers ran up to me. The more I learned about how they differed from other breeds, the more I fell in love with them. I love their sociability, character, and intelligence. When a friend called me to say she had puppies and invited me over for coffee and cuddles, I fell in love at first sight with a little white ball with a black ear.
Darel is a therapy dog. What led you to this activity?
I used to work in a hospital, and now I work as a healthcare inspector. I sometimes miss working in healthcare. When I discovered that Darelek had a talent for this activity, I didn't hesitate. I also hoped a little that Darelek had inherited this talent, as Darelek's mother also has CT exams.
Have you done canine therapy with other breeds?
Darel is the first dog I've done canine therapy with. My previous dogs didn't have a talent for this activity.
Was it difficult to pass the therapy dog exams with Darelek?
At six months, Darelek began to show a talent for this activity. We were out for a walk, and he started stopping to greet people. In an instant, the ADHD puppy became a working dog who showed people how to work with him. Dogs can take the exams at 18 months of age at the earliest. I started training him individually for various situations in public and in private. Six months before the exams, I asked a friend who is a dog trainer to help me with standard obedience training. We went to the training ground three times a week. Preparing for the exams was difficult, but the exams themselves were not
What exactly is canine therapy?
I often hear people say, "You do canine therapy? Our dog would love that too, lying there and being petted." But that's not how canine therapy works. It involves psychosocial and physical rehabilitation work with the client. You tailor the therapy to the individual needs of the client. With the help of the dog, you develop the client's motor skills, verbal and nonverbal communication, memory training, concentration, emotional component, and social behavior.
What does the work of a canine therapist entail?
First, you need to prepare the dog for therapy and the program for clients. Then you guide the dog in a targeted manner. It is important to have a positive attitude, as your mood and approach also influence the clients. With Darlek, we focus on disabled clients with varying degrees of disability. For severely disabled clients, we focus on, for example, blood circulation in the skin, relieving muscle stiffness or spasms, and improving intestinal peristalsis. For milder forms of disability, we try to focus on developing memory, motor skills, concentration, and increasing self-confidence.
Is it difficult for a dog to be a canistherapist?
Canistherapy is very stressful for a dog. I usually let Darelek rest the day before and the day after so that he doesn't have any extra stress. In our case, Darelek not only follows standard commands during canistherapy, but also connects with the client. Darelek is very empathetic, so I sometimes give him free rein in how he works with the client. He gains the client's attention and finds a physical problem to focus on. After therapy, I let him run around a lot and occupy his mind in other ways so that he can release everything from himself.
How do you actually reach your clients? Are you organized in some kind of association, or do you approach facilities yourself and offer canine therapy services?
We are members of an association where we take exams. You have to retake the exams once every two years. After the exams, I approached social facilities and offered them our services. We are currently working with two facilities.
Have you encountered any prejudice against bull terriers?
Never in canine therapy, because people there can see that the dog is a certified therapy dog. They are rather pleasantly surprised that a bull terrier has come as a therapy dog. But in normal life, when we take off our work identification, I encounter prejudice all the time.
Do you and Darel do any other activities?
If we still have time and energy, you can meet us at a dog show. Darel enjoys them; he's quite extroverted and likes to show off. He is currently the champion of three countries. In terms of dog sports, he enjoys tracking and mantrailing. We are currently preparing for ZOP exams.