10 Golden retrievers arrive in Connecticut to comfort survivors

[Liberal_in_LA]

picture of the dogs from different sites:





Dogs arrive in Newtown to comfort survivors

CHICAGO — A team of golden retrievers made an 800-mile journey from the Chicago area to Newtown, Conn., over the weekend to comfort people affected by the shootings Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Lutheran Church Charities sent about 10 of the dogs for residents who want to pet them while they talk or pray with the dog’s handler, said Tim Hetzner, president of the Addison, Ill., organization.

“Dogs are nonjudgmental. They are loving. They are accepting of anyone,” Hetzner said. “It creates the atmosphere for people to share.”

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/national/northeast/2012/12/dogs_arrive_newtown_comfort_survivors

[Uncle Joe]

1. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Liberal_in_LA.

[hlthe2b]

2. Yes! I was waiting to hear that therapy dogs would be dispatched. This is terrific.

:loveya"

[graywarrior]

3. Awesome!

[Moses2SandyKoufax]

4. Better hope our very own "backwoodsbob" isn't nearby.... n/t

[zappaman]

5. thanks for this!

what a great thing!

[KT2000]

6. they really are miracles

A man arrived at Newtown yesterday with his retrievers who had been trained to visit people in nursing homes etc. The kids immediately went to the dogs, smiling and petting the dogs. The whole atmosphere changed and the kids were kids again.
I did not cry until I saw that. Pure love.

[goclark]

13. K and R

What a thoughtful thing to do --- wondrrful!

[ThoughtCriminal]

7. I could use a dose of that

[calimary]

32. I think we all could.

We don't have a golden. We have a Goldie. She's a mutt from the pound and she's the best dog you could ever hope for. She makes people feel better and she's not even trained as a comfort dog. Guess some critters are just born that way. Cats too. This is a wonderful idea and a VERY important program. I hope it spreads to all 50 states.

[Earth_First]

8. Fuckin'-A awesome!

My Golden Retriever (Cassidy) is the most sympathetic, loving, caring, understanding creatre in the world.

The individuals affected by this tragedy will be in good company with the therapy that these Goldens will provide.

So wonderful...

[Summer Hathaway]

9. There's nothing like a cold nose

and a warm paw to soothe what ails us. No matter how deep the pain, it can always be lessened by a playful pup who understands our sorrow, and is more than willing to make it better in their own invaluable way.

[undeterred]

10. Maybe things would have turned out differently

if the shooter had the unconditional love of a dog.

[jayschool]

21. That's it! The NEW Second Amendment!

Amendment II. A well regulated pack, being necessary to the happiness of a free state, the right of the people to keep and love puppies, shall not be infringed.

[undeterred]

22. Its a good working draft.

I'll talk it over with my therapy dog.

[calimary]

33. Welcome to DU, jayschool! LOVE your "NEW Second Amendment!"

That's one that I could wholeheartedly get behind! I think our animals are extremely necessary to the happiness of a free state. They lengthen our lives, lower our stress, and give us unconditional love and companionship.

Glad you're here! Great suggestion, and so healing just to think about it. And don't forget the kittens as well as the puppies.

[LiberalLovinLug]

70. Yes...Just swap it out

done and done!

[shenmue]

75. Amendment passes!

It's unanimous.

[IDoMath]

76. ...without due process

Some people should not have pets.

[WillyT]

89. LOL !!! + 1,000,000,000... What You Said !!! - K & R !!!

[JI7]

34. based on what he did i think he would have tortured and killed the dog

[Myrina]

58. Disagree.

Story on NBC news last night quoting friends of the family stating Lanza often questioned humans' carnivorous leanings & seemed disturbed that people would hunt, kill & eat animals.

IMHO, this was a shy, thoughtful, overly sensitive and yes, depressed young man that was deeply hurt by something or someone & reached his tipping point. For folks like this, EVERY FUCKING THING HURTS, life is like an open wound. Am I exusing him? NO. But George W Bush is an animal torturer, this kid was not.

The love of a dog, a best pal & confidante may indeed HAVE changed the entire situation.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

61. I didn't know this.

more levels of meaning, more to think about.

[Skittles]

11. petting a dog is extremely comforting

yes INDEED

[catbyte]

12. Nothing warmer or fuzzier or full of love than a Golden. And I am a cat person!

Good deal. Now I am crying again.

[dixiegrrrrl]

77. You are so right....

I have a Golden, and 2 cats. Always have had a dog and a couple of cats.
hugging a loving Golden is the bestest feeling..those chidlren will remember that experience, for sure.

[HeeBGBz]

91. I love my golden

He definitely is good hugger.

[nadine_mn]

14. wonderful

People - young and old - always seem to come alive in the presence of loving fur companions. Yay!

[sheshe2]

15. Thank you for your post Liberal_in_LA!

[MadrasT]

16. Awesome.

[Honeycombe8]

17. What a wonderful idea! A really hands on approach to comfort. Nothin' better than a dog for some

lovin'.

[flamingdem]

18. dawgieeeee

My family used to have one, they're sooo mellow.

[A Brand New World]

19. I have three of these bundles of love.

Golden retrievers are the most people oriented dogs ever. They can give love 1000 fold and bring a smile to the most heartbroken people. It's hard to be sad around them. I hope they bring some pleasure to those kids.

[Happyhippychick]

20. I'm a golden mama, this is a win/win. Goldens get to give love and receive love, their 2 favorite

Activities!

[Chorophyll]

23. K&R

Puppy heroes!

[brentspeak]

24. Watch this:

Not a golden retriever, but still...

[UtahLib]

26. One of the most touching and beautiful interactions I've ever witnessed. Thank you n/t

[calimary]

36. Damn. This made me cry. Hard.

I hope there are lots of animals upstairs to greet those Newtown Connecticut kids.

[TahitiNut]

59. (gawd) Me too.

[Phentex]

45. So sweet!

Dogs are amazing. Thanks for sharing this.

[seabeyond]

54. i love, love. thank you. nt

[Surya Gayatri]

56. A spark of canine divinity...'Dog' is 'God' in a mirror...

[OnyxCollie]

57. Now I'm all weepy.

God love the little dogs.

[sarge43]

68. Beyond the Rainbow Bridge, Baxter has a special place.

Were that all hearts as generous and loving.

[MissDeeds]

73. That is so beautiful

and moving - but I wish I hadn't seen it. Last Monday morning, we had to put our twelve and a half year old bichon to sleep and we are beyond devastated. He was the sweetest, most loving little guy, and we miss him terribly. I hope he will be there to greet blessed Baxter and this dear lady.

[Curmudgeoness]

94. I am so sorry for your loss.

It is never easy. My heart goes out to you.

[Skittles]

81. .

[Stinky The Clown]

83. Dogs

[Beacool]

84. Who started peeling onions?

Absolutely lovely. Baxter is wonderful. Blessings to him, his owner and the patients he comforts. Thank you for sharing.

[Beacool]

90. Here are pics of the dogs comforting people at Newtown.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jtes/photos-of-golden-retrievers-comforting-the-residen

[UtahLib]

25. A man with his bulldog was there yesterday too.

He and his dog were sitting in the back of his truck with a sign that read "my bulldog gives hugs". Many people were happy to see them. Animals have an incredible capacity for love and healing. Made me cry all over again.

[calimary]

37. That is wonderful. Just really wonderful.

We need our animals like we need the air to breathe.

[Skittles]

80. many people feel much freer to express emotions for animals than for people

yup

[sasha031]

27. K/R

[Bonobo]

28. This is nice.

Not a dog person myself, but this is nice.

[panAmerican]

29. This made me smile a REAL smile and not a sad one

Thanks for posting this!

[dmoyer]

30. loves me my golden

/Users/douglasmoyer/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2012/11.18.12/L1060048.JPG

[Elfin Yeti]

93. Can't get the link to work... nt

[Sissyk]

31. How absolutely wonderful!

What a great thing to do!

[calimary]

38. Welcome to DU, Sissyk and dmoyer!

Glad you're here - each of you! This is a wonderful and healing thread. I think it's one we all need, pretty badly, these days. We have a dog and four cats. I can't imagine life without them.

[William769]

35. Kick & recommended.

[politicasista]

39. Kick

[progressoid]

40. video:

http://www.kirotv.com/videos/news/therapy-dogs-help-newtown/vkZf8/

[Fumesucker]

41. OK I have to move a dog off my arm to type but yeah this is cool

We should do more of it, I have two miniature doxys and one of them would be great at it, she's a natural.

The other one not so much.

[LeftofU]

42. My wife works with service dogs and they're amazing.

They have their work cut out for them this time.

[cecilfirefox]

43. As nice as this is there WAS a moment on CNN the other day...

Where John Lenon is interviewing these volunteers, and he's getting their story, he kneels down to a child that's petting a dog, and he asks, I swear, "Does petting this dog bring you joy?"

/facepalm

[Phentex]

46. And you hope the kid says

"No, I'm allergic and you posed me here."

I hate when reporters are dumb.

[Rhiannon12866]

44. K&R! This is so wonderful!

Beautiful dogs and what a great idea... My dog is sleeping next to me on the couch as I type this, all of his legs up in the air...

[harun]

47. Beautiful

[Jennicut]

48. Dogs (and cats) are extremely comforting to people when they need it.

I hope these dogs help some people in Newtown.

[justiceischeap]

49. My cats get sooo freaked out when I get upset

They actually run away but I agree, for the most part, animals ARE very comforting.

[Jennicut]

52. My cat is a lap cat. She knows when I am sick.

When I am on the couch with a bad cold, she lays on top of me. Then again, my cat is a little strange. She also lives with a 7 year old and an 8 year old and still lets them pet her.

[justiceischeap]

55. My cats will cuddle

but odd noises scare them... like opening a can of soda (or even a bottle), sneezing, coughing, crying. But as soon as I lay on the couch and am quiet, I've got one curled behind me and the other in front.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

50. I love Goldens!

I don't think anyone should be partial to any breed (or mixed breed) when getting a dog, but that said, I love Golden Retrievers. Just love them.

I had one growing up and she was the sweetest thing on four legs ever. Never growled once, rarely barked, always happy to comfort me and give me attention when she sensed I felt down.

[myrna minx]

51. .

[Surya Gayatri]

53. Heaven bless the doggy missionaries...

[drynberg]

60. This made me all warm and weepy

Our golden is 12 1/2 and she loves everyone who slows down enough to connect with her, bless the team of goldens from Chicago and their owners...now if these sweeties could lobby Congress and the NRA...Thanks for this post. It's an island of compassion in a cold situation in a colder country.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

63. I look forward every day to getting home to my little Shrimpy.

She always makes everyone light up with joy.

Maybe I should check out how to get her certified as a therapy dog. (only, she's not a dog. She's a tiny, furry princess.)

Animals are the BEST.

[Ishoutandscream2]

64. Bring em on! No greater creatures on earth

Dogs can cure so many ills. I know they will provide so much comfort to those suffering.

[footinmouth]

65. Goldens were born to do this

I remember taking my beautiful golden retriever to visit my 100 yr old mother-in-law in the nursing home. My dog was 4 yrs old at the time and not trained in therapy work. She just seemed to know what to do. She walked the halls right next to the wheelchair, never pulling or making a sound. People came out of their rooms to stop and visit with her. She brought a lot of those older folks comfort.

Now her job is to make 1 person a day smile and she does it so well. I love the breed.

[8 track mind]

66. AAawwwwww

I have a border collie i would love to take up there.

[Fearless]

67. But but but shouldn't we just give them guns to feel safe???

[Cha]

69. This looks very healing

for the little ones.. thank you, Liberal_in_LA

[Paper Roses]

71. Labs, best dogs ever. Help, conpanionship, love. No better anywhere. n/t

[get the red out]

72. They are ANGELS!!!!!

My own, personal Angel is a Border Collie, but these sweet Golden therapy dogs are definitely angels.

A friend in dog agility says she takes her Golden to an agility trial and all he wants to do is make friends and love on everyone (judge included). They are such sweet creatures by nature.

Loving on a dog feels just amazing, having a dog has done wonders for my husband and I with stress.

[shenmue]

74. Woof!

Yay doggies.

[Pakid]

78. The love of a dog is something special

I am sharing some toast with my German Shepherd as I type this. She always makes me feel better. I am sure that the children of Newtown can us all the help they can get. No child should ever have to go through what they did. The really sad part is what an up hill battle it will be to help make sure this does not happen again. It should not have to be that way but to many American could care less about anyone else!

[smirkymonkey]

79. This is beautiful!

Golden Retrievers seem to have a natural instinct for sensing when a human being needs their love. They are so loving and warm. They are my favorite breed. They just know when you need them and they instictively come to you when you need them most. I am so grateful to the people who brought them from Chicago to Newtown.

Those people need that kind of kind, gentle, calm presence in their midst. I hope the children find it healing.

[downandoutnow]

82. Notice how it was 10 golden retrievers --

not 10 pit bulls?

[UtahLib]

87. My nephew has a pit bull.

Last edited Wed Dec 19, 2012, 02:15 AM - Edit history (1)

He adopted her from a shelter where she'd been healing after being rescued from an abusive situation. She is one of the most gentle and sweet dogs I've ever met. Please don't blame the animals for what humans have done to them.

[Beacool]

85. Lovely gesture.

Sometimes people can't talk to other people, but will open up around animals. Therapy animals are just wonderful.

[rufus dog]

86. My Retriever has a hard time with any crying

He will literally hug (put his paw an my kids arm) or jump in her bed if she is crying.

[Withywindle]

88. Animals are so good for people who've been in traumatic situations

One of the reasons is that they don't pressure you to talk before you're ready. They don't ask nosy questions. They don't push you to act more composed and together than you really are. You can just shake and cry and they won't judge.

[MJJP21]

92. Should have

Should have been boxers. Boxers will keep you laughing all day for years.

[llmart]

95. Goldens are the best......

I am an over the top dog lover, but I have to say that Goldens are my all time favorite (don't tell my current dog who is a mutt and who is right this minute keeping my feet warm on the footstool). I raised two from puppies for the local guide dog school and they both became guide dogs. They were the smartest, funniest, cutest, most loving things on the planet!