Tiny Teacup poodle takes the elevator every morning on a heartfelt mission
There are plenty of reasons why a dog is often called a man’s best friend, and this absolutely adorable teacup poodle who listens to the name Nala certainly lives up to that saying.
Dogs have huge hearts, no matter how big or small they are.
Whenever they sense that someone is upset, sad, or just needs some snuggles and cuddles, dogs can often let their empathetic personality shine.
Nala may not be the largest dog around, but her heart sure is.
Her phenomenal actions at a nursing home in Minnesota have warmed the hearts of many, earning her the nickname of “angel”.
Nala lives with her human dad, Doug Dawson, but she regularly gets to go on adventures with her loving owner.
Doug works at the Lyngblomster Care Center, and sometimes, Nyla gets to go with him to work. The teacup poodle doesn’t always hang around her owner either.
She loves wandering off to meet the residents in the nursing home.
What started as a cute moment, has now turned into a beacon of light for many of the residents.
Nala loves sitting on laps and cuddling with the owners, especially those who could use a little bit of animal affection the most.
“If you put her down she’ll pick out the person with Alzheimer’s. She has a way of picking the sick,” owner Doug said to KARE 11.
Because Nala had such an amazing ability to connect with people at the nursing home, Doug took her with him to work fairly often.
At one point, these two became inseparable at home and at work!
Of course, Doug still has plenty of his own business to attend to, but Nala can navigate the nursing home all by herself, albeit with a little bit of help from a staff member to press the elevator buttons.
The four-footer visits every floor of the facility to make sure nobody gets forgotten.
“She’d rather ride it alone than with people, because she knows where she’s going. If she could, she would push the button herself,” Doug added.
Nala doesn’t have any therapy dog training, but she’s a natural talent.
Even though she never received any formal training, you can definitely tell that Nala’s presence raises the spirits of everyone and can really brighten up people’s day. And little Nala doesn’t mind at all, she absolutely loves it!
She “works” the same shifts as her owner Doug.
They arrive together at the facility, and they leave together like colleagues.
According to some people who worked at the nursing home, Nala also seemed to realize when people weren’t doing too well, and would likely reach the end of their life.
The adorable pooch always made sure to give them extra attention.
Years ago, the story of the elevator riding tiny dog went viral online and in the local news.
Five years after Nala started working in the care center, KARE 11 actually revisited Doug and his cute dog. Nala, who is now 10 years old, still does what she loves every single workday!
Of course, things were quite complicated when the coronavirus pandemic hit, and all of the residents truly missed having Nala around.
Since the original story aired on television all those years ago, Doug has received plenty of fan mail and even dog toys – he even joked that he didn’t have to buy a single toy for Nala since.
“It’s just amazing what this little dog has done.”
Tragically, Nala’s owner Doug passed away in 2020.
Nala has provided immeasurable emotional support for Javon Allen, Doug’s wife.
“She’s been my rock through this whole thing,” Javon told.
See Nala’s heartwarming story in the video below.
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