health
March 1, 2026
Canine carer: how guide dog school dropout Marcus came to comfort cancer patients for a living
Once assessed as ‘a sloth with a low drive to work’, the polite and affectionate black labrador enjoys a successful new career as a therapy dog
TL;DR
- Marcus, a four-year-old black Labrador, was bred and trained for guide dog school but was deemed unsuitable.
- His "unwillingness to work" and tendency to be "a bit slow" led to his reclassification from a potential guide dog.
- Marcus was then trained as a therapy dog, a role he excels at due to his affectionate, friendly, and polite nature.
- He now works at Cancer Fit with oncologist Dr. Lina Pugliano, offering comfort to cancer patients.
- Marcus's duties include providing assurance, sitting with patients during consultations, and generally offering a soothing presence.
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