With a wag and a smile, dogs simply make the working world better. In this series, we explore the lives of local dogs who go to work with their people.
Kirby, a six-year-old German Shepherd, has worked as a therapy dog for hospice patients at Riverside Sanders, a retirement community in the Gloucester Court House area, since May 2024.
His handler, Julie Haynes, kept hearing advertisements on the radio for pet therapy volunteer opportunities with Riverside and she jumped at the chance.
“I’ve been interested in pet therapy for literally years,” said Haynes.
Lydia Foster, CHPNA, Volunteer Coordinator of Support Services, was determined to bring pet therapy to hospice patients at Sanders. She holds a certification in Hospice and Palliative Care.
Both Haynes and Kirby had to go through hospice training before they could begin pet therapy. “I had to become a Riverside volunteer,” said Haynes.
For Kirby, Haynes had to renew his AKC Canine Good Citizen certification, provide proof of his vacci...