Hebron residents share a special kind of Charm with those in Need

Kathy G. Hendrickson

Let me tell you … these girls know how to "work" a room. Each time they make an entrance, a spark is ignited. All eyes are immediately drawn to the beauty of these girls, which is an undeniable component of their unique charm. Each is the photo negative of the other. One is dark, the other light. One has short-sleek hair; the other, long wavy tresses.

No witty conversations or politically correct speeches issue from these girls; instead there is just unadulterated charm. It is more than enough. Their eventual sashay out the door is proof of this, as their sudden absence leaves a void. For hours afterward, though, tiny sparks of radiance linger in the air reminiscent of a snow globe recently shaken which settles its diamond glitter onto the stillness of a winter scene.

The "girls" are a team of therapy dogs owned by two Hebron families. The dogs, and their handlers, are graduates of the Allan's Angels therapy dog certification program which is sponsored by the Bolton Veterinary Hospital and the Connecticut Chapter of Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs. The team consists of 'Molly', an utterly charming eight-year old chocolate lab and 'Summer', a four-year old flirtatious golden retriever. The girls and their handlers travel from Hebron to a healthcare facility in Manchester on the first Tuesday of each month to visit with the residents.

Molly and her owner Lucy Jolie have been visiting this particular facility for more than three years. It is Lucy's unwavering devotion to the residents of this facility that earned them their well-deserved celebrity status. Lucy's gregarious personality and her dedication to philanthropy have led her to reach out to those in need not only through the therapy dogs but also by feeding the homeless at the House of Bread and most recently as a member of the Board of Directors of My Sister's Place, Inc. It was Lucy's spirited talks that convinced the writer of this article to join her and Molly on their monthly visits.

As a small town, Hebron embraces the concept of reaching out to neighbors in need. Traditions such as the annual Hebron Lions Fair are long standing hallmarks of this town. Visits to local nursing homes with therapy dogs carries on that wonderful tradition.

Although the dogs have boundless energy, once they slip into the harnesses which identify them as working dogs, they understand that it is time to get to work. An immediate transformation brings about a singular focus on their responsibilities of bringing comfort, affection and love to complete strangers, one paw at a time.

Although the visits are often heart-wrenching, one evening this past March, on the coldest of nights, two special moments occurred which illuminate our reasons for returning to the facility each month.

The first moment occurred while the dogs were visiting one of the large common rooms where most residents were sitting together on comfortable couches. A frail woman sat in a corner of the room, lost in her own world. She would occasionally look toward someone as if to communicate, but only a repetitive cadence left her lips; over and over she repeated the same undecipherable tones. Summer carefully padded over to this woman. She slowly settled herself into a sitting position while focusing purposefully on this gentle woman's face. Moments passed imperceptibly as the dear lady focused on the pair of liquid brown eyes before her. Her repetitive cadence slowed to a quiet silence …. I was entranced as I was privileged to witness her spirit finding its way back to the surface. Unexpectedly she said in a clear, youthful voice, "You … are… the… most… beautiful… dog". Reaching toward Summer, she rested her forehead softly on top of Summer's head and cradled the dog's soft ears. For those few moments, pure sunshine infused the air. Then, the moment was gone. What stirs this writer's heart is that no matter how short it was, the moment DID happen for this gentle lady.

The second extraordinary moment involved Molly, who is without doubt the absolute apple of one elegant gentleman's eye. As we approached Joseph's* room, Molly's excitement level kicked into high gear and she practically galloped down the hall. You see, Molly knew that Joseph awaited his usual private audience with her and she was eager to comply. When Molly entered his room, her quiet demeanor was cast aside for puppy-like enthusiasm. Belly scratching, paw high-fives and messy dog kisses were the new focus in Joseph's universe. For their special time together, there was no sickness or loneliness in his room while Molly ruled his heart. These are the moments that bring Therapy Dog owners the greatest reward: the secret smiles and the ethereal wisps of remembered joys.

Drawing on their instincts, the dogs know when the moments end and it is time to head home. Their tails whisper on the walls on the way out, reassuring the residents that they will be back. You see, Molly and Summer are a team. Two dogs, two hearts, one goal: sharing a glimpse of Heaven on Earth with those who are most in need.

­­­­­*This fictitious name is used to protect the privacy of the patient; Kathy/Chris Hendrickson are also certified handlers through Allan's Angels.