Photo: Courtesy Nora Pavone
Fiona the Bernese mountain dog seemed to know she was needed when a woman arrived at a New York funeral home to view her mother’s body for the first time after her death.
The daughter was distraught and fearful of entering the visitation room, so the 18-month-old dog, who works with her owner at the funeral home, came to her side, stood very close and then allowed the woman to hold onto her as she walked inside.
To earn the certificate, pups must pass a 10-step test showing they will follow basic commands and actions like accepting a friendly stranger, sitting, staying, coming when called, walking through a crowd and behaving politely around other dogs — no growling, snapping, biting or attacking.
Courtesy AKC
“The program has done so much good, from helping dog owners to teach their pet good manners to rehabilitating dogs that have had behavioral issues,” says Doug Ljungren, Executive Vice President of AKC Sports & Events.
Fiona is equally comforting, says Pavone, who drives from her apartment to work with the dog for as many as five funeral services a day.
“It can be intimating going into a visitation room for the first time,” says Pavone. “We’ve noticed a huge positive impact that she’s had.”
source: people.com
