For those grappling with the final stages of hospice, a remarkable golden retriever named JJ offers peace.
An Albany, Oregon therapy animal and certified member of Project Canine, JJ went viral recently after her handlers posted a touching video of her comforting a blind elderly woman in her hospital bed. More than simply laying with her, JJ can be seen affectionately engaging with the woman, nudging her hand and giving her the tenderest of reassuring kisses.
NBC affiliate K5 News reports that the video boosted JJ’s social media following on Facebook “from 1,800 to 7,000 in 48 hours,” and now pushes upwards of 60,000 followers.
JJ “writes” all of her own Facebook posts, and posted a response about this video on her page:
“I often do bed visits, though never without The Bossy One. This is a lady who has very few people to visit her. She cannot see and often does not wake up, but she did like having her hand on my fur. She was very calm during my visit. We were listening to Yeats, by the way. I was very insistent to have her touch me, more so than usual. We fell asleep later with her hand splayed on my head, both of us snoring (but no proof of that!) I sure can be silly at times, but I also know when to be quiet and present. Her caregivers were very appreciative when they saw this video.”
JJ’s story isn’t unlike that of another incredible therapy dog who warmed our hearts recently, in which a golden named Colonel helped rehabilitate a child from a near lifeless state. Both are moving examples of the power of animal therapy.
Watch this incredible video below, and please SHARE this post with your friends on Facebook to pass along the importance of therapy animals!
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