Funeral home adds therapy dog to help grieving clients

A family-run funeral home has a therapy dog available on site to help their grieving clients.

News 12 Staff

Aug 15, 2019, 11:39 PM

Updated 1,921 days ago

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A family-run funeral home has a therapy dog available on site to help their grieving clients.
Clients at Marine Park Funeral Home have the option of having Fiona, a 1 1/2-year-old Bernese mountain dog, present during funeral services.
Funeral director Nora Pavone say they selected Fiona's breed because they are considered to be gentle.
To become a comfort dog, Fiona had to go through a ten-step American Kennel Club training program known as the Canine Good Citizen Test. The test includes commands such as sitting, staying and coming when called.
Fiona became the club's 1 millionth 'canine good citizen.'
The family says they are now considering adding another puppy that Fiona can train, but that would likely happen in a few years.