Today's Golden Girls are not our dogs Ellie and Lucy. They are instead the Comfort Dogs from Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dogs Ministry (here) about whom I posted on Wednesday. These dogs arrived in Boston shortly after the tragedy at the Boston Marathon and have been visiting patients and family members all week.
(Pictures are courtesy photographs from Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dogs Ministry from Today Pets.)
Comforting an injured runner before her surgery.
Look at her smiles.
A fifteen-year-old told of his meeting with the dogs, "It's relaxing---takes my mind off what happened." The teen is recovering from surgery to remove shrapnel. "It's good to have my mind away from the accident, the doctors. To have a moment of peace. I haven't had many moments of peace since it happened."
Student nurses need comfort as well.
And the dogs visited other patients not involved in the marathon.
Here are the comfort dogs and their handlers.
These beautiful and immensely helpful Golden Retrievers are truly golden. Thank you, trainers, owners, and managers for this magnificent ministry.
How else could we end a post on this painful week than with our beloved friend, the late Fred Rogers:
"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers---so many caring people in this world."
Our heartfelt thanks to all the helpers. And our thoughts and prayers go out from across the country to the people of Boston. May you all find moments of peace.
STAY SAFE THIS WEEKEND, EVERYONE. HOLD YOUR DEAR ONES CLOSE.
16 comments:
The pictures are so wonderful. What an important mission they are on!
I was struck by that Fred Rogers quote, too.
The pictures are so wonderful. What an important mission they are on!
I was struck by that Fred Rogers quote, too.
The pictures are so wonderful. What an important mission they are on!
I was struck by that Fred Rogers quote, too.
The pictures are so wonderful. What an important mission they are on!
I was struck by that Fred Rogers quote, too.
Aw - made me cry. Such good puppies!
Dogs have such a tremendous ability to comfort. I sure do miss mine.
What a blessing those sweet animals had to be, especially for young ones struggling with pain and trying to understand bizarre happenings.
I love that quote. I will try to remember that also.
How wonderful!! I know how much my dogs comfort me at hard times, and I really love being able to see what an amazing difference they are making for those during times of heartbreak and tragedy!
Oh, I wish I had read your post earlier....I've been so upset and this brought tears of JOY to my eyes. Those sweet dogs and their helpers. That quote is just beautiful and I will go to it in the future when I feel saddened. Thank you.
XOXO
What a wonderful program. Those comforters are definitely golden.
beautiful post, and much needed. Love those dogs and their handlers! "Watch for the helpers." Indeed, they restore my faith.
Such a beautiful post and your pictures and words have comforted me. I will hold your Mother's words im my mind and use them when needed.
I loved the picture of the little girl hugging her new "friend".
Indeed Carolyn. A thoughtful and comforting reminder.
Wonderful . . . but we dog people know how healing they are.
What a powerful post and message!
Yes, Golden's are lovers of the world. Well most dogs are I feel. But since I have a Golden I biased. Nice to see the photos of the dogs giving comfort.
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