When a community experiences a tragedy, the pain and feelings of loss can be overwhelming. That’s when words might not help as much as a warm furry hug —and who better to oblige than a cuddly canine?
Over the past few years, a group of 12 golden retrievers from the Midwest have been deployed to areas around the country where people are in crisis. From Sandy Hook to Orlando, they’ve provided soft shoulders to cry on, ears to scratch and a willingness to listen to those who need to talk before they can heal.
Although they have to undergo considerable training before they can serve, golden retrievers are natural-born people-pleasers. They give their hearts unconditionally. And they have a way of looking at the glass half full that inspires hope.
So next time you think about comfort in a time of crisis, remember that it sometimes comes in the form of four legs and a wet nose.