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Furry Angels bring joy, healing to JB MDL

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua King
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST- --  When someone gets sick, doctors can prescribe all the medicine in the world but sometimes the best medicine is a smile. That's what the Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, commonly called Furry Angels, provide to patients at the clinic on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

As volunteer therapy dogs, their sole purpose in visiting is to play, be petted and bring joy to everyone- from a child visiting pediatrics, to a service member returning from deployment.
"The dogs all enjoy welcoming home the troops" said Dawn Gaudenti, Furry Angels therapy dog handler. "It gives our handlers an opportunity to let the troops know they are appreciated."

The Furry Angels provide therapy to the joint base family and can help adults and children alike. The dogs are often greeted most enthusiastically by children in the pediatrics section of the base clinic.

"When they visit, the dogs seem to spark a reaction in the children no one has seen before" said June Golden, Furry Angels therapy dog handler.

When a therapy dog named Callie, approached a toddler while visiting the clinic, the child immediately smiled and wanted to pet her. The dogs are well-trained to interact with children, according to Callie's handler, and Callie was able to bond with the small boy without scaring him.

Each dog and their handler goes through a six-week course to become a dog team.  The course teaches the dogs various disciplines, including how to stay calm around loud medical equipment and objects like crutches and walkers, said Golden.

At the end of the course there is an eleven point exam to see if they have learned everything necessary to become a therapy dog. Once the dog and its handler pass the team test they are able to start going out and visiting people.

January marked five years that the group of dogs and their handlers have been bringing cheer and healing to the joint base.

"Therapy dogs can be any age or breed, as long as they continue to enjoy coming out and visiting all of the people." said Marcy Roshelli, a therapy dog handler.