NE Iowa Funeral Homes Using Therapy Dogs to Comfort Families

BELLEVUE, Iowa (AP) — Two Jackson County funeral homes are making dogs a part of funerals to help families who are grieving.

The dogs are available for families at Hachmann Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue and Lahey Funeral & Cremation Services in Maquoketa.

The funeral director of the Maquoketa business says that Isabelle, a cocker spaniel, helps comfort children who are in mourning. Isabelle is a certified therapy dog and has been with the funeral home for more than one year.

In February, Sophie, a goldendoodle, helped more than 80 women feel at ease during the Hachmann's annual Valentine Luncheon for widows, which was held at the Off-Shore Events Centre. Funeral director Ben Hachmann says that many attendees wanted their picture taken with Sophie.