8-week-old puppy is the newest member of a North Carolina funeral home’s grief support team
Emotional support animals have been lauded by the people who use them. These animals, usually dogs, fill a specific role in helping people with depression and other psychological issues. One funeral home has even decided to take the idea of an emotional support animal to the next level by placing one on its grief support team.
A new member joins the Macon Funeral Home’s grief support team
At just 8-weeks-old, Bernese Mountain dog pup Mochi has taken on a lot of responsibility. She is the newest member of the Macon Funeral Home’s grief support team. The funeral home, which is located in Franklin, North Carolina, announced Mochi’s addition to the team in a Facebook post:
“She’s an eight-week-old Bernese Mountain Dog who loves people and loves to sleep. We hope she will become a member of our grief support team and make therapy visits to those in need with her mom, Tori McKay.”
The need for an emotional support dog at the funeral home
McKay has always wanted an emotional support dog on-site to help patrons who are grieving the loss of a loved one. According to McKay, Mochi was chosen as the dog to join the team due to her breed’s gentleness, loyalty, and affection.
“So far, everyone has been so supportive, and Mochi has already made a difference in families’ lives this week. I have had people reach out for grief therapy, and the reception on Facebook has been incredible.”
Mochi has been well received
McKay has been training Mochi herself, but Mochi will have to undergo more formal training once she is six months old. McKay has also been socializing Mochi and trying to get her used to being around people, especially strangers, So far, Mochi has made a great impression on people at the funeral home.
Bernese Mountain dogs make perfect emotional support animals
Lauren McDevitt, co-founder of Good Dog, a company that specializes in pairing dogs with potential owners, says that while a service animal and an emotional support animal share many of the same traits, the two do differ in specific ways.
One area in which they differ is in their training. Emotional support animals receive more in-depth instruction on how to help the people they serve to deal with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Unlike service animals, emotional support animals do not have the same rights of access and are therefore allowed in fewer places.
As for Bernese Mountain dogs, McDevitt feels they make a great emotional support animal, stating:
“Bernese Mountain dogs are quite large, but if you have the space for one, they make wonderful emotional support dogs,” McDevitt says. “They have a loving disposition, and they’re known for being gentle and easygoing.”
For more on Mochi, check out her Instagram page. You can also check out this video with more on the distinction between a service animal and an emotional support animal.
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