Funeral held for dog which provided grief therapy at funeral home

OHIO -- On Friday morning, a funeral for a special therapy dog was held at the Schoedinger Midtown Chapel in Columbus, Ohio, reported the Columbus Dispatch.

The 13-year-old Labrador retriever, named "Tara," passed away on Tuesday from complications of laryngeal paralysis, a condition which causes dogs to suffocate.

 

The intuitive dog spent the last several years working as a Grief Therapy Dog at Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service. According to those who watched her work, Tara knew who was in need of her comforting attention.

Mike Schoedinger, President of Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation, said, "I watched people stroke her fur and the comfort that came from this. Her steady and unwavering companionship provided consolation to so many. She taught us unconditional love.”

Tara belonged to Roberta Knauf, who noted that Tara "loved to work." Knauf said, "she absolutely loved putting on that vest and getting up every morning and going to work."

Tears were shed and dogs whined as Tara was wheeled into the chapel.

Among her doggie visitors were Dexter the Doberman who sported a gray and white bow tie, and Willow the Labradoodle who wore a purple ribbon. The pooches approached Tara’s casket to bid her farewell.

Tara’s casket was placed in a sea of beautiful flowers with a ribbon that reads: “Our Faithful Companion.”

A basket filled with tennis balls was placed at the chapel entrance. The basket had a sign that said, “Tara loved her balls. In memory of her, please take one home.” Nearby, there was also a basket of bone-shaped dog treats and Tara’s collar and leash.

Tara provided peace and solace until her last breath.

“At the very last moment, I remember her laying her head on my lap and looking at me as if she was comforting me,” she said.

Knauf also said that Tara will be cremated, and a part of her remains will be inurned at Canine Partners. The remainder will be mixed with the ashes of her sister, Nika.  Their combined ashes will be used to plant a tree in Hermitage.

Click here to read Tara's obituary.

(Examiner.com - May 29, 2015)