Research shows there are many benefits to having a therapy dog in schools including:
Dunkin the Therapy Dog responds to Hurricane Milton After ten days of serving during the Hurricane Helene relief efforts, we returned home to Huntsville, exhausted but thankful. Yet, as we watched the weather reports, it became clear that another major hurricane was on its way to Florida. I unpacked, repacked, and prayed, asking, “Lord, will […]
Hurricane Helene Response Moving to Alabama hasn’t diminished my desire to respond to hurricanes in Florida. In fact, with a more flexible schedule now that I’m no longer teaching, I can deploy with just 24 hours’ notice and stay as long as needed. Watching the weather reports and seeing another storm headed for Florida’s Big […]
Vitas, a hospice care organization serving South Florida, has a unique program that brings joy and comfort to their patients through the help of therapy dogs. Their therapy dog group, known as Paw Pals, is a team of well-trained and certified dogs and their owners who visit patients in nursing homes, assisted living communities, and […]
One year has passed, presenting yet another chance for impactful local missions. As we turn the calendar to 2024, we were once again blessed with the opportunity to engage in ministry within our local community. The faithfulness of God resonated throughout our experiences. Dunkin and I were invited to serve alongside our 11th-grade students at three […]
The sobering news came through the phone call from the Vitas staff person, “He’s not well… it may be soon.” “What do you mean?” I questioned myself. Confusion gripped me as I pondered the meaning of those words. Just a few days ago, I had been with Carmine, a remarkable 95-year-old soul brimming with life. […]
On December 16-1 7, 2022, VITAS Volunteers & Staff, Thomas Dalton, Laurel Torres, Shelly-Ann Whittingham Sofia Mohammad, Al Sasiadek, Tina Reeder (and Dunkin) David Zielinski, along with 6 Nova University students, and staff from Palm Beach VITAS participated in the annual VITAS sponsored Bereavement Camp. Several families came out to spend the weekend camping with […]
This week Dunkin and I got to participate in local missions with our 11th grade students. Our week started with Innovation Charter School (ICS), a public elementary school. Immediately upon arrival the school’s principal called me into her office to visit with a little girl named Mia. She is a first grader and didn’t want […]
Canines 4 Christ member, “Dunkin,” receives an official Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) patch to add to other identifications on his doggy vest. Dunkin and his handler, Tina Reeder, partnered with other EDS volunteers working in the Port Charlotte, Florida area in the wake of Hurricane Ian. “Dunkin is a rock star,” says Laurie […]