By Victoria Kurdziel

Chewbella Rey (Chewbella) an adorable 8-year-old, 7-pound Yorkie-Poo was about to be given away when I intervened and brought her home. Shortly thereafter, when my older dog died, Chewbella watched as tears streamed down my face, lifted my arm with her nose, and blanketed me with comfort. Seeing how much Chewbella helped me, I decided to help cultivate her instinct to comfort others by helping her become a therapy dog.

Chewbella successfully mastered puppy class, basic manners, canine good citizen, trick dog, novice, and therapy dog, earning her initial therapy title in 2017, and her AKC certificate in 2019. We’d go to libraries to sit and read with children, hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. But, for the past 8 years, Chewbella has been working with me at Buszka Funeral Home, bringing comfort and joy to everyone she meets, and for which her 700 hours of service there earned her the Supreme Therapy Dog Award.

It’s amazing how she picks up on emotions, zeroes in on those who need her most, sits next to them or gets on their lap for them to pet her. As is true for most dog moms, I can’t help bragging about what a good girl Chewbella is. She has a pretty extensive vocabulary, knows exactly what’s needed when it’s time for work, and doesn’t mind when I dress her in sweaters, jackets, and costumes. We have great fun hiking, napping, walking, and shopping. She is also teaching her new puppy, Davinci Severus, how to be a good therapy dog.

Research shows that therapy dogs help reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood sugar, enhance emotional well-being, and positively contribute to people’s social and cognitive health. Learn more about therapy dogs at therapydogs.com.