I joined Akron Children’s Doggie Brigade with my Standard Poodle Beau in 1994, after they saved my grandson’s life. He suffered from Shaken Baby Syndrome.
Beau was his constant companion as he recovered. He was later joined by his sister, Rosie. Then Rosie’s daughter, Lily, and son, Bart, passed their tests and served for several years.
Now Lily’s grandson and Bart’s son, Boris, makes the fifth generation that have proudly served as ambassadors for Akron Children’s Hospital. It’s a 75-mile round trip from our home in Wooster, but we have been so blessed by being able to give back to this wonderful organization.
We winter in Florida and once were approached by a woman who noticed the Doggie Brigade decal on our car. At that time, Bart and Lily were serving. A lady ran up and asked if they really WERE Doggie Brigade dogs! Assured that they were, she said, “May I touch them?”
She petted and made over the dogs and then declared that she wasn’t going to wash her hands for awhile! Her child had been a patient at Akron Children’s and had loved having the dogs visit. I learned then that our dogs touch lives not only in our area but all over the U.S.
Have you been touched by our Doggie Brigade? We’d love to hear your story, or you can comment on this post.
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