18-month-old golden retriever, Pickles, is not your average therapy dog. Trained to support children and adults with additional needs, Pickles has discovered a unique talent: creating artwork.
According to the BBC, by licking pâté off clear plastic bags containing a canvas, stencils, and splashes of paint, Pickles has managed to produce colorful paintings that have gained attention and admiration online.
(Photo : Harlow's Online Newspaper)
So far, fifteen of Pickles' paintings have been sold, with all proceeds reinvested into the community project he supports. Plant Pots and Wellies project in Harlow, Essex is an inclusive community initiative that provides horticultural and outdoor therapy for children and adults with additional needs, helping them learn new skills, increase mobility, and be part of a supportive community at a Harlow Council allotment.
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Pickles Journey From Therapy Dog to 'Paw-casso'
Pickles' owner, Rowen Saunders, who volunteers at Plant Pots and Wellies, explained how the dog's artistic journey began. "I was trying to work out a way for him to do painting with the children, but every time I gave him a paintbrush, he'd crunch it into three bits and say 'thank you very much'," Saunders told the BBC.
(Photo : Harlow's Online Newspaper)
Eventually, they found a way for Pickles to participate in the painting process without the need for a brush.
One of Pickles' paintings has even caught the eye of local MP Chris Vince, who purchased the piece and plans to display it in the Houses of Parliament. The paintings, created with the help of children who cut out the stencils, sell for £7.50 ($9.57) each, featuring scenes of elephants, sea life, and unicorns.
Pickles' work has become so popular that some pieces are set to be displayed at an art exhibition at the Harlow Civic Centre on September 3.
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