Therapy dogs play a vital report in the mental health of many people all over the world. These highly trained dogs bring comfort, joy, and love, during some of our toughest times.
Lulu, a two-year old Goldendoodle spends her therapy days at Ballard-Durand Funeral & Cremation Services in White Plains, New York, where she provides comfort to those grieving after losing a loved one.
Matthew Fiorillo, Lulu’s owner and president of Ballard-Durand Funeral & Cremation Services, explains why the home decided to get a therapy dog. “Like other therapy dogs found in nursing homes and hospitals, Lulu provides unconditional love and support as well as a subtle distraction from grief.”
Lulu has been specially trained as a therapy dog, and she has been working at the home for more than a year.
Fiorillo says Lulu has an uncanny ability to find the person who needs love the most and gravitate towards them.
“It’s really an unexplained phenomenon. It’s amazing to watch. She’ll come in a room and just poke her nose at them, and I know who the immediate mourners are, but she doesn’t, yet she always just comes and puts her head in their lap,” Fiorillo explains.
Lulu is also great with children. “She says a prayer with them. So if a child or really anyone is having trouble approaching the casket, she’ll go up with them and put her head down in between her paws.”
Lulu even helped the funeral directors own family in their time of need. “My sister came over after losing her husband, and Lulu wouldn’t leave her side. It was amazing she just wouldn’t leave her, and even at my own house. She’s just a dog, but you know, it’s unbelievable that she just knows how to go to people.”
90% of families choose to have Lulu at their services.
