We have had golden retrievers for the past 35 years (8 so far). Dogs have always been an integral part of our family’s life. For the past 10 years I have been involved in Animal Assisted Therapy at Edward Hospital in Naperville, IL. It has been the most rewarding thing I have ever been involved with. I feel like the luckiest person in the world to be part of this wonderful program. So far I have had three dogs as Therapy Dogs; Spud, Becky and JackieO. I always knew how much my comforted me over the years, especially with the unexpected death of my husband, and now I have seen the magic they bring to sick patients in the hospital. The visitors and doctors and nurses love it just as much. There’s nothing like seeing a patients reaction when they see the dog at the door to visit them. I highly recommend this kind of volunteering in your community. It’s like nothing else you can do with your best friend.

— Wendy from Naperville, IL