Larry’s been in the family since the very beginning of my mom’s career as a therapist. Way back when, he IQ tested my sister when she was like 3 to make sure she wasn’t dumb (Just kidding… he did it for a bit of research he was doing for work… and she’s a ridiculously intelligent human being with wit that surpasses Mr. Wit himself…), and growing up, I always knew him as the guy who loves dogs.
Dr. Larry Lachman is actually a very talented Clinical Psychologist, Animal Behavior Consultant, Assistant Professor of Psychology, radio talk show host, cable television host and a published author of four books. He does a lot. He wrote Dogs on the Couch: Behavior Therapy for Training and Caring for Your Dog, Cats on the Counter: Therapy and Training for Your Cat, Birds off the Perch: Therapy and Training for Your Pet Bird, and Parallel Journeys: A Spirited Approach to Coping and Living With Cancer. But more than all of this, he’s a dog-lover, and one of the strongest people I know.
In 1997, Larry was diagnosed with cancer and it was a rough period of his life. As anyone diagnosed with cancer knows, it takes a toll on you, not only physically, but also emotionally. When something like this happens, you have a choice…. fight… or not to fight. Larry chose to fight and he’s been cancer free for years! Not only did he decide to fight it, but he also chose to help others fight the effects of cancer as well. He used his experiences to help him write Parallel Journeys as well as hosting a bi-monthly “coping with cancer” TV show called, “Living Options: Coping With Cancer On The Central Coast.” There’s a ton more that he does, but you can read more about it on his website.
The reason I’m sharing all this about Larry is, he’s lived such an inspirational life… I’d be amiss to not share this with others. I love meeting people who choose to live life to the full, people who give beyond what they ever thought they could, people who pursue their dreams.
Recently, Larry was down in my neck of the woods and he asked me to take some portraits of him to help commemorate the lives of two very important relationships in his life…. his two dogs Max and Fagan. These two have been there through the thicks and thins of Larry’s life and have provided not only love and support, but have also been inspiration and fuel for Larry’s goals and occupations in life. Without them, he would be a very different person.
Here’s some shots from the afternoon…
There was this random statue of St. Francis of Assisi that looked slightly out of place in this place for pets… but I looked down at the plaque and I was surprised to read this, “If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.” -St. Francis of Assisi
Who knew?…
There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. ~Ben Williams
Fagan was my “mentor” when I first hooked up with Larry as an Apprentice, and later, Maxi hung out with me while I hung out with Larr after his Cancer Surgery, after doing Burrito Runs!
Once again, Kate, you have captured all the essences!