COMM U N I T Y
BY:CALLIE COLLINS
Co m for t i n C a ni ne Form
G
rief comes in many forms, but the same can be said for comfort. While funeral homes are accustom to grief, Havenbrook Funeral Home strives to also offer comfort, utilizing what some might consider an unexpected source for a funeral home. Benny, a four-year-old English cream golden retriever, is a certified therapy dog who spends his days greeting visitors at Havenbrook as they go through the process of saying goodbye to a loved one.
16 | May 2020
He can shake, offer a high five and bring a basket of tissues to those who need them. His vest reads “Therapy Dog - Please pet me” to make sure people know he’s there for them in their time of need. “Being able to see a dog breaks the mood for a moment,” Deana Kelly, managing partner at Havenbrook, said. “To see the dog can be a source of relief.”
Benny helps push aside feelings of uncertainty, especially for visitors who aren’t comfortable with a funeral home setting. “He’s really good with children,” Kelly said. “The only issue we have isn’t really (Benny’s) fault. He sheds. He might leave some white hairs on visitors but they’re usually so glad to have a dog to pet, it isn’t much of an issue.” Benny belongs to Kelly. She moved from North Carolina a little over a year
