Stories of the Dog-Human Bond
October 2024 | Volume 1
Bringing Comfort After a Tragedy
In the days that followed a gunman attack on 345 Park Avenue, where Blackstone’s offices are located, a question emerged: how do you support employees when they return to the office?
By Jessica Robinson
“We reached out that night,” said Renee Payne, Director of Training for The Good Dog Foundation. “We have a wonderful relationship with Blackstone – we have a board member from Blackstone, the company has provided major support for Good Dog’s healing work, and we assist their employees with our monthly Workforce Wellness visits.”
The therapy dogs who entered 345 Park Avenue following the tragic events of July 28 were not just friendly companions — they were part of Good Dog’s specially trained crisis-response corps. These dogs and their handlers undergo additional preparation to remain steady in tense, unpredictable settings.
That training shows itself in subtle ways, and handlers are trained to sense when comfort is welcome and when to simply remain present. Each small gesture builds a bridge, allowing people to feel safe and begin processing what words alone cannot reach.
“We ultimately had a total of 11 teams working over a two-week period, providing 23 hours of visits,” says Payne.
This is why The Good Dog Foundation exists: to create moments of connection in difficult circumstances. Dogs don’t erase loss, but they help remind people that comfort is still possible.
Jessica and Henry
Jessica Robinson
Jessica Robinson is producer, director, writer, and former head of Robinson Creative Services, a direct response marketing agency
PUBLISHER PROMISE
Every other month, the Good Dog Dispatch tells a story of humans and dogs joining forces to help people through rough times. Stories you'll want to share with others - every other month, or more if you'd like.Let us know. Tell us what you'd like to know.
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Our 350 trained / certified dog-human teams are fanned out across the Tri-State / Greater NY Metro helping over 100,000 people a year at hospitals, schools, nursing homes, libraries, special needs facilities, and increasingly, at the workplace.
We need twice as many! It's tough times that make folks anxious. Dogs bring instant biochemical help triggering a surge of feel-good hormones. Know a loving dog with good manners? Want to make the world a better place working side-by-side with your best tail-wagging buddy?
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