A little love goes a long way.
When military personnel are wounded or simply far from home, comfort can come from surprising places—facility therapy dogs.
These specially trained “four-legged therapists” live with facility staff members and spend time with wounded warriors recovering at military hospitals or personnel stationed in high-stress environments. In situations like these, nothing brightens their day like the unconditional love of a dog.
Delivering Comfort in the Midst of Pain
Some facility therapy dogs make hospital rounds or visit occupational and physical therapy areas, becoming an integral part of the healing process. Others serve in a mental health setting or visit those on the job, delivering smiles and reminding veterans of pets back home.
If you are actively employed with a military facility and are interested in acting as a primary handler for a facility therapy dog, apply today or contact admissions@guidedogs.org.
Always ready to help those who serve us all.
Meet Midnight, the facility therapy dog bringing smiles to military personnel and their families at the 140th Wing of the Colorado Air National Guard. “She’s very engaging and loves people,” says her handler, Virginia Howard, the Director of Psychological Health Services on the Aurora, Colorado base. Midnight starred in our first episode of Dogs of Destiny. Here’s her story.
“She cheers everybody up and always leaves them smiling. Everyone readily tells Patty Mac their problems.”
— Commander Tracy Krauss and Facility Therapy Dog Patty Mac | U.S. Navy Branch Health Clinic at the Washington Navy Yard, D.C.
