Friendly service dog provides comfort to grieving mourners at funeral home

SPOKANE, Wa. - Any time you lose a loved one the grief can be overwhelming, but with the help of a furry friend, one funeral home is finding a way to make people smile even on their darkest days.

Hennessey Funeral Home in Spokane, Washington has an unusual employee working for them - a Labradoodle named Paddy. 

"He'll be able to meet with families; he will be able to quietly help out where needed with regard to helping people deal with emotions of grief," said Paddy's owner Scott Dahl. 

At 4 months old the pup greets people as they walk through the door, making them feel at ease.

"On Thursday, August 11, my father passed away," said one man at the funeral home. "Paddy is a really sweet dog and I think dogs can really sense sadness."

Dahl thinks Paddy was made for this job. He said Paddy’s dark black coat matches the other men’s suits, and that Paddy has the right domineer for the job.

"Labradoodle's make very good therapy pets, very good comfort dogs," Dahl said. 

Paddy is working toward his therapy dog license and once he passes, he’ll get his very own shift at the funeral home.

"Bringing in an animal that people can trust, that people can love that can receive licks and a greeting from, that is I think a very powerful thing that we can do," Dahl said.