Pickles the Therapy Dog and Art
- Pickles, a trained golden retriever, engages with children to create unique art pieces using clear plastic bags and pâté.
- The initiative aids children's emotional well-being through creative expression.
- Pickles demonstrates the therapeutic potential of animals in enriching children's lives.
In a heartwarming initiative, Pickles, an 18-month-old golden retriever, has emerged as an unexpected artist while serving as a therapy dog for children and adults with additional needs. Utilizing a unique technique, Pickles creates art by licking pâté off clear plastic bags that contain a canvas, stencil, and splashes of paint. His artistic endeavors have already resulted in the sale of fifteen paintings, with proceeds being reinvested into the community project he supports, Plant Pots and Wellies, located in Harlow, Essex. Rowen Saunders, Pickles' owner and a volunteer at Plant Pots and Wellies, shared the challenges she faced in getting Pickles to paint. "Every time I gave him a paintbrush, he'd crunch it into three bits," she explained. The local MP, Chris Vince, has even purchased one of Pickles' paintings, which is set to be displayed in the Houses of Parliament, a source of pride for the community. The paintings, which feature themes like elephants, sea scenes, and unicorns, are sold for £7.50 each, with children participating in the creative process. "Pickles is an artist, absolutely. And he's being recognized," Saunders remarked, highlighting the joy and creativity he brings to the project. The community eagerly anticipates an upcoming art exhibition at Harlow Civic Centre on September 3, where some of Pickles' work will be showcased.