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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 19, 2015 | 6 He'll leave you with a smile on your face by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Spotlight "Connected to your Community" M any people miss the simple things in life because they're too busy looking with their eyes, says Joanne George. However, Smiley, a beloved family pet that was born with no eyes, doesn't miss a thing. He feels with his heart and uses all the other senses that were given to him, George told students gathered in the Holy Family School gym Monday (Nov. 16) for a surprise visit with the St. John's Ambulance therapy dog. George, who lives in Stouffville, said Smiley has overcome a lot of challenges to be where he is today. For two years, the 13-year-old golden retriever lived in a puppy mill in Peterborough before he and eight others were rescued by George. While she was able to nd a home for the other dogs she had rescued, no one wanted Smiley because of the perceived challenge of caring for a blind dog, George said. "Other dogs were really mean to him because he couldn't see," she told students, as they listened intently to her account of Smiley's life at the puppy mill. Smiley had a lot of wounds on his face because the other dogs would bite him and eat his food, she said. When Smiley came to live with George, he was so afraid of other dogs that he would just hide in corners and underneath the table. With time and lots of love, however, he slowly turned around. Now, Smiley serves as an inspiration to many. He has become an Internet sensation with his own YouTube channel (search Smiley The Wonder Dog) because of his remarkable story of overcoming adversity. "People are so drawn to him," George said, noting that observing him relate so well to others made her realize he was a natural t for being a therapy dog. He got his certi cation about six years ago and has been visiting hospitals and retirement homes ever since, using his loving, gentle and calming demeanour to comfort others. He also does school visits in his local community and participates in the Stouffville children's reading program, sitting next to children to ease their nerves as they read aloud. It was Oakville Grade 8 student Scarlett Lavalley's idea to invite Smiley and his owner to Holy Family School after watching a number of his Scarlett Lavalley, a Grade 8 student at Oakville's Holy Family School who is in a Grade 5-8 Essential Skills for students with learning challenges, gives Smiley, a St. John Ambulance therapy dog a hug, when he visited her school. Smiley is a beloved family pet that was born with no eyes, and is now losing his hearing, but still doesn't miss a thing -- particularly how to make new friends. Smiley even has his own YouTube channel as his heroic approach to life has made him an Internet sensation. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) YouTube videos over the years. With the help of her mother, Lisa Lavalley, and the approval from her school, the idea came to fruition. Scarlett couldn't be more excited. Just before students led into the gym, she sat petting Smiley, who, true to his name, was smiling ear to ear with tail wagging eagerly. Scarlett's mom said her daughter was very inspired by the dog's story and wanted to share it with others, especially her fellow classmates from the Essential Skills class -- a class that includes Grade 5-8 students with learning challenges. "As my daughter Scarlett explained to me `Smiley is happy and accepting for who he is, no need to be sorry for him... He is an inspiration,'" said Lisa. She said Scarlett has always had a connection with animals. She has a golden retriever named Daisy at home and donates her allowance regularly to the Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS). While students eagerly asked George questions and took turns petting Smiley, Principal Josey Guerin said Smiley's visit couldn't have come at a better time as the school community kicks off Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, which runs until Friday. "Life is full of challenges and we all have challenges and I think we have to decide, are we going to just succumb to challenges or are we going to rise above?" he said. "Smiley obviously has risen above and brought so much joy and happiness to people." He said he was almost moved to tears because of how proud he was to see Scarlett speak to the school about Smiley because she believes it will positively impact the lives of others. One of the challenges students face in the Essential Skills class is having self-con dence, he added, and it was incredible to see Scarlett be so courageous. Her mother and her teacher Andrea Catalano echoed those remarks, noting she is usually very shy about speaking in front of others. George said she's glad Smiley's able to show "kids who feel different and a little out of place" that being different isn't a bad thing. Volume 53 | Number 92 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington 905-845-3824 Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone (416) 340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. 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