Glenn Funeral Home welcomed a very cute member to their family care team yesterday: a Bernese Mountain Dog/poodle mix puppy who will receive training to serve as a therapy dog.
That’s right: a therapy dog.
This isn’t just a cute puppy to have around the office. Much time and consideration went into the decision to get a therapy dog at Glenn Funeral Home. Research has widely shown that the touch of a dog can have an effect on our emotions and well-being.
“We have spent many hours researching all the training options available, the certifications needed and the type of dog that would best suit this job,” Christy Taylor Chaney, Vice President of Glenn Funeral Home, explained. “We also talked to other funeral homes who have used therapy dogs and found them to be very beneficial to serving their clients. After extensive planning, we decided we wanted to bring that service to families here in Owensboro.”
“We are excited about bringing a therapy dog to our care team. Bred to be a service animal, she is being professionally developed by an accredited grief dog trainer,” said Glenn Taylor, President. “Her temperament is soothing, calming and loving.”
The therapy dog will work upon request; it will not be roaming freely about the funeral home. For example, the dog may be requested by a family during arrangement conferences and visitations, or any other time the family thinks the therapy dog may bring some comfort, especially when children are present.
Chaney says there are great things in store for this little pup. “She has the potential to help many people through their grieving process and offer comfort during funerals, visitations and counseling sessions.”
In fact, the puppy was already called upon yesterday during her first day on the job. “There was a family making arrangements in one of our conference rooms and one of the teenage girls was a little uncomfortable with what was being discussed. She left the room, went and got the puppy and brought it back into the room,” Chaney recalled. “The girl said it was an amazing comfort to her.”
After completing her training, the therapy dog will wear a vest just like any other service animal to distinguish that she is working.
Her training will include a 25-week course held in Evansville. Marty Hicks, who has worked at Glenn Family Services for 37 years, will be the dog’s care giver and says he is “excited for this next big step in caring for the families we are privileged to serve.”
The only issue is that the puppy does not have a name yet, but that’s where you come in. Glenn is calling on the community to name their new therapy dog.
Anyone who would like to suggest a name may leave a suggestion in the designated box in the lobby at Glenn Funeral Home or online at Glennfuneralhome.com.
If your name is chosen, Glenn Funeral Home will make a donation to the new dog park in your honor!
