Addie is a frequent visitor to Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Using canine comfort, three Ridgefielders have been helping the children of Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Jenn Marr, Jan Hebert and state Rep. John Frey are working with the Lutheran Comfort Dog Ministry at Sandy Hook.
Ms. Marr is the coordinator for the project and responsible for Addie, an award-winning comfort dog, and Ms. Hebert is a handler for Maggie, Addie’s sister.
Mr. Frey, who had nieces in Sandy Hook Elementary School when the shooting took place, has seen the comfort dog program in action and has become an advocate of the program, including in the state legislature. He also helps with fund raising.
Recently honored on Good Morning America, Ms. Marr and Addie were awarded special recognition by Lara Spencer, anchorperson. The national program was presented a new van to transport the dogs to anywhere a tragedy might occur and comforting is needed.
Lara Spencer of Good Morning America discussing comfort dogs with Jenn Marr of Ridgefield. At the right is Tim Hetzner, president of Lutheran Church Charities, which sponsors the comfort dog program.
Not only have the dogs been involved in the post-Sandy Hook recovery but they were brought in after the Boston Marathon, the Joplin Tornado and other weather-related events.
“These dogs are purebred golden retrievers that have a year of extensive training,” explained Ms. Marr. “For a Lutheran Church to bring one of these dogs into a ministry, $10,000 must be raised.”
She said that “a Lutheran Church in Iowa won an award and donated the money to the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danbury, just prior to Sandy Hook.
“I never thought about getting involved in the program until I got pressure from my daughter. When 45 people signed up and only three were available for training, and I was on the top of the list, my life changed.”
“Three days after my training, I was slated to handle Addie.
Addie started out as the sole comfort dog for Sandy Hook Elementary School.
“The responsibility was overwhelming, but when I saw the ability of this dog, I knew I would be all right,” Ms. Marr said with tears in her eyes.
Ms. Marr and Addie have been visiting Sandy Hook Elementary, now located temporarily in Monroe, for the past year.
“Addie and I have seen so much,” she said. “We have seen children want to come to school to see the dog. Children have gone to their classroom and been able to focus on work because Addie was beside them.
“Special students have been given one-on-one time with her for brushing, giving water and hugging. Addie just seems to know what each child needs to get them back on their path to recovery.”
Just recently at the school, she said, “I saw Addie go nose to nose with a birthday girl who was not having a good day. Her attitude changed completely.
“I saw Addie immediately identify a Sandy Hook child at the mall in the midst of other people.
“When the Joffrey Ballet came to perform at the school, the dog went right up to a particular dancer and licked her ankle. The ankle was one that was causing the dancer pain.”
“I have seen the worst of the worst with what happened at Sandy Hook, and I have seen the best of the best with the comfort dogs,” said Ms. Marr. “I am just so happy I am able to serve the children in such an important way.”
“I just hope that people will support this program by going online to Lutheran ministries and contributing to bringing more dogs into communities.
Addie has her own Facebook page, Addie Comfort Dog, with more than 3,000 followers.
She also has an amazing list of honors that include:
- Top 11 Animals of 2013.
- The ASPCA Dog of the Year.
- The Pet of the Year by the Connecticut Veterinarians Medical Association.
Unlike most dogs, Addie, Maggie and all other certified comfort dogs get their own business cards along with beautiful blue jackets. They bring comfort, but also pride, to any community.
