The Dog Opened the Door. Connection Walked In.

(Comfort Dog Moses creating connections recently at Lowes!)

My youngest child graduated from high school in 2021, and my world immediately changed.

Overnight, my social circle took a serious hit.

No more youth group. No more jazz band concerts. No more football games. No more activities revolving around my children.

Yikes.

What I didn't realize at the time was how much of my community was connected to those activities. When they ended, I found myself struggling with loneliness and depression. The routines and relationships that had filled my calendar—and my heart—were suddenly gone.

The one thing that saved me?

My dogs.

They still needed to be fed. They still needed training. They still needed exercise and therapy dog visits.

And perhaps most importantly, they still needed me.

Those responsibilities got me out of the house when I would have preferred to stay home. They pushed me to keep moving forward. They reminded me that I still had a purpose.

And then there was the part that made me most uncomfortable.

Talking to people.

By that point, I had been self-isolating because of depression. Ironically, I'm actually an extrovert. I enjoy being around people and building relationships. But depression has a way of convincing you to pull back from the very things you need most. The idea of reconnecting felt exhausting and intimidating.

The good news? The dogs did most of the work.

Everywhere we went, people naturally gravitated toward them. Conversations started effortlessly. People shared stories about the dogs they have now or the dogs they loved years ago. They asked questions about my dogs—their names, ages, favorite tricks, favorite toys, and what they do as therapy dogs.

Before I knew it, I was connecting with people again.

The dogs opened doors that I never could have opened on my own.

What I learned through that experience is that connection is something we all desperately need. In a world where loneliness has become increasingly common, sometimes all it takes is a wagging tail and a friendly face to bring people together.

Therapy dog work may not be the answer for everyone, but if you have a dog who loves people, has a calm temperament, enjoys affection, or simply likes having a job to do, it might be worth exploring. The impact that therapy dog teams can have on others is incredible—but what surprised me most was how much it helped me.

It gave me purpose. It gave me community. It gave me connection.

One of the things I love most about therapy dog work is that it's a great fit for both introverts and extroverts. If you're outgoing and enjoy meeting new people, therapy dog visits offer endless opportunities to build relationships and engage with others. If you're more introverted, the dog becomes a natural conversation starter and takes much of the pressure off. People approach the dog first, and the conversation flows naturally from there.

It's also incredibly flexible. You can volunteer as frequently—or as infrequently—as you choose. Most visits last an hour or less, making it an easy and rewarding way to serve others without a significant time commitment. Whether you have time every week or just once a month, there's often a place for you.

I also readily recognize that some people may want to be involved but not want the responsibility of owning or handling a therapy dog. Maybe you would enjoy accompanying a team on a visit. This role is incredibly important. The handler is ultimately responsible for their dog, so having someone available to engage in conversations, answer questions, welcome visitors, and help facilitate connections can make a tremendous difference.

As Kingdom Comfort Dogs continues to grow throughout Hendricks County, the number of opportunities to get involved will continue to increase. Whether you are interested in becoming a therapy dog team, volunteering alongside a team, helping at events, or simply learning more about what we do, there is a place for you.

The KCD mission is about more than dogs. It's about creating connections. The dogs simply make those connections a little easier and ….. um … less awkward 🐾.

Sometimes healing begins with a conversation.

Sometimes it begins with a smile.

And sometimes, it begins with a dog who quietly walks up and says hello.

If any part of this story resonates with you, I'd love to have a conversation. Feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to share more about therapy dog work, answer questions, and help people discover whether this unique form of service might be a good fit for them.

After all, you never know where one connection might lead.

Happy Monday!

Sandy