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NEW YORK (PIX11) — A dynamic duo is making a difference for dozens of hospice patients and their families across New York City.
Chicken the Dog has won the hearts of families in their most difficult moments. She volunteers as a therapy dog on the Upper West Side. Chicken is half Pomeranian and Boston Terrier and Papillon. She is 6 years old and nine pounds of compassion.
The chicken’s owner, Ellen Landress-Bowkett, hails from the Lower East Side. She said Chicken has a calling to comfort hospice patients and their families.
Chicken is always on call. She wears a special scarf when she visits and somehow always knows what a patient needs and brings a ray of light to a difficult time. Chicken has been making hospice calls since 2017. Now her team is with VNS health says she’s one of their star volunteers.
VNS Health is looking for more good dogs like Chicken. But to be a four-legged hero, a dog must have the right temperament. They are trained and certified by the Good Dog Foundation. After nine hours of training and a supervised visit, the dogs are ready for work. Humans also have to be trained intensively for weeks.
The Good Dog Foundation and VNS Health are always looking for more hero dogs like Chicken to spread goodwill to those who need it.
To learn more about the Good Dog Foundation or how to become a volunteer at VNS Health, visit VNSHealth.org. You can also email [email protected].
