By Deborah Reed
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org
Local Kentwood dog, Ranger, lives life in “full wag mode” and proved it by recently placing third in the semifinal round of America’s Favorite Pet.
Sponsored by the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), America’s Favorite Pet is a national, voting-based, online fundraising competition benefiting the PAWS non-profit. Kentwood resident Nick Clark entered Ranger, his licensed ESA dog, into the competition knowing his fun-loving and movie-star handsome red Golden Retriever would steal the hearts of voters across Michigan – and the entire nation.
“Ranger should be America’s Favorite Pet because he represents everything people love most about dogs,” Clark states in Ranger’s competition bio. “His heart, loyalty, joy, and an unbreakable bond with humans. With his stunning red Golden Retriever coat and infectious smile, Ranger turns heads, but it’s his soul that truly makes him unforgettable.”
That soul, Clark continues, harbors Ranger’s most meaningful talent – his role as an emotional support animal.
A source of calm and comfort
Though Ranger is his most recent source of emotional support, Clark has turned to animals for comfort his entire life.
“I’ve had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, you name it,” Clark said. “I’ve been around animals my whole life, and I’ve always just found calm in them.”
That calm and comfort has been a steadying force for Clark over the past 30 years as he struggled to find balance in both his physical and mental health. Diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD) at age seven, Clark was prescribed a range of medications in the subsequent years that proved detrimental to his health.
“At seven years old they put me on way too much Adderall, and nobody questioned them,” Clark explained. “I never abused my prescription drugs, but unfortunately they dosed me so high that it was abuse.”
The medication, Clark said, negatively impacted his life, hindering the development of crucial life skills.
“Since seven years old, I’ve never learned how to grow and adapt in real life,” said Clark. “I always had something masking it, like an ADD med.”
Clark is currently living a life free of medications after finding the courage to reach out for help – and he attributes a large part of his success to Ranger.
“I’m very proud of my recovery, and Ranger has been a big stepping stone in that,” Clark said.
More than just a dog
With gentle intuition, Ranger is able to sense when Clark needs comfort most. Through a variety of small actions (a quiet nudge, a warm lean, or resting his head nearby), Ranger brings peace and reassurance when Clark is battling bouts of anxiety and depression.
“The longer I’m off of these meds, I’m getting a clearer brain, but I still have days where I’m depressed,” said Clark. “I get nightmares too, and I can’t tell you how many times I woke up from night terrors, and he’s there.
“Ranger isn’t just a dog; he’s a source of strength, calm and connection.”
Ranger is a registered ESA service dog and is the second dog Clark has trained as his personal emotional support animal. Though his ability to train dogs was born organically from his lifelong experiences with animals, Clark said he is looking into official training programs that provide licensing so he can help others find the comfort Ranger has given him.
“Dogs have an unspoken bond with humans,” Clark said. “They don’t talk, but they just have that sense of comfort. I’ve always been attached to that, so if I can give back to the community by presenting them with a wonderful dog like Ranger, it puts a smile on my face.”
Happy Birthday, Ranger!
Ranger recently celebrated his third birthday and continues to spread joy and laughter wherever he goes, invade the hearts of those he meets, and live life with infinite energy.
