Oklahoma City Heartache in the Heartland

1
Oklahoma CityHeartache in the Heartland Approxima
tely 20 Therapy Dogs International volunteers and
their dogs responded after the bombing of the
Murrah Federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995.
This was our first experience in working with
people affected by a terrorist attack. The
emotional impact of the attack affected most
people in the United States. To remember the
victims and the helpers at the Oklahoma City
bombing, we created a special newsletter in the
fall of 1995 Heartache in the Heartland. Here is
a quote from this newsletter, a quote that can be
applied to any disaster where we have
responded. "...Dogs were hugged and petted by the
families of the victims, displaced persons,
members of the Red Cross and the Salvation Army,
clergy, police officers, firefighters, U.S. Army
Reserve troops and other relief workers." After
the experience gained in Oklahoma City we
realized how important the use of Therapy Dogs
are in working with people affected by a
disaster.
2

Volunteers, the Spirit of America The
generosity of Americans is known throughout the
world. The tradition of volunteering is one of
the finest examples of the American spirit of
giving. This volunteer spirit is clearly evident
in times of disaster, as Americans from all walks
of life and all parts of the country come
together to help their neighbors in
distress. The Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
(TDI) volunteer members exemplify the mission of
TDI, to bring comfort and consolation to everyone
and anyone, wherever it is needed. TDI DSR
(Disaster Stress Relief) volunteers now
courageously join disaster relief efforts all
across the country. TDI members and their
Therapy Dogs responded to the call for help from
Oklahoma City in the aftermath of the destruction
of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. After
September 11, 2001 (9/11), people who lost loved
ones in the destruction of the World Trade Center
(afterwards known as ground Zero) and a section
of the Pentagon, as well as people who suffered
injuries and loss of property, were directed to
"Family Assistance Centers" (FACs). TDI members
and their Therapy Dogs volunteered at FACs in New
York City, New York, Liberty State Park in Jersey
City, New Jersey, and in Washington, D.C. From
the experiences of TDI members at these
disasters, the TDI DSR program was created. TDI
DSR members volunteered their services in Baton
Rouge, Louisiana to provide stress relief for
refugees as well as the rescue workers coming to
and from New Orleans in the aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina.   TDI volunteers are the key
that unlocks the door through which professionals
can enter the world of people affected by
disasters. Because people are drawn to dogs,
people will talk to a TDI handler, or, often, a
Therapy Dog, when they are still in shock when
they are unable to process the necessary
information available from professional
assistance
3
TDI handlers perform a necessary triage service
by assessing the needs of an individual and
discreetly beckoning the appropriate health care
worker to come to the aid of the individual, thus
getting the right help to the right person at the
right time.   The TDI Therapy Dogs also provide
hugging time for the professionals (including
police officers, firefighters, medical
professionals and other relief workers and
volunteers, as well as members of the clergy),
who suffer their own emotional pain when dealing
with the devastating pain of others.   At the
FACs set up at Pier 94 in New York City, Liberty
State Park, and near the Pentagon, more than 150
TDI members and Therapy Dog teams attended to the
emotional needs of displaced persons, family
members and relief workers.   The TDI Therapy
Dogs who participated in the 9/11 relief efforts
gave everyone unconditional love, a feat
unmatched by fellow humans. The TDI volunteers
and their Therapy Dogs covered various shifts for
a period of three months at the FAC at Pier 94 in
New York City, until the closing in December. In
Washington, D. C., TDI members volunteered for
one month at the Pentagon FAC. The TDI handlers
received no monetary compensation for their
extraordinary efforts in both New York and
Washington, D. C., but earned the immeasurable
reward of knowing they provided solace and a
respite from the unrelenting chaos that a
disaster leaves in its wake.  
TDI Therapy Dogs and their handlers cannot heal
someone's wounds, but they can make a difference
in the emotional life and reclamation of a strong
self, necessary for the ultimate cure of a victim
of disaster. Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
salutes the steadfastness and commitment of our
volunteer members and their loyal Therapy Dogs
for their dedication and resolve during the
national crisis of September 11, 2001.
4

Dogs comfort when
humans cannot Firefighters came from their
firehouses when the Therapy Dogs walked by near
Ground Zero. People from foreign countries
understood the language of a dog's unconditional
love, as the dogs walked through the Family
Assistance Centers. Counselors, Red Cross and
Salvation Army personnel, and other relief
workers were eager to pet the dogs looking for
just a moment of relief. Our Therapy Dogs
provided an avenue to share pet experiences with
family members. Subsequently, some families were
able to talk about their loved ones while petting
the dogs. People affected by the disaster in
various ways were glad to pet the dogs to relieve
some of their stress and anxiety. The memories
for the more than 150 TDI handlers and their dogs
that went to NYC/NJ and Washington will live on.
We all feel thankful that we were able to share
our dogs in a time of great need. and continue
to do so.   The taking of
photographs at the FACs was not permitted out of
respect for the grieving families.
5
Adele Hood, "Sunshine,"
Greyhound I was amazed when a New York
City cop, very large and tough looking,
dissolved into tears when holding and hugging
Sunshine."
Fran
Abramson, "Annie,"

Mixed Breed
"After a while, some
women who were petting Amie
turned to me and said 'Thank you for
coming.
This is the first time I laughed since 9/11.'
 
Jennifer Kavanaugh, "Elsa
Rose," German Shepherd Dog "The
normalcy of dogs in this environment, where so
much sadness and tragedy were so fresh, really
helped everyone continue with the work they
needed to do."
Jeanne Brummund, "Tara,"
Doberman Pinscher
"Tara pulled me gently towards the people whom
she felt needed her love, placing her head
in a grieving woman's lap as they cried and
hugged her."
6
  Diane Weeks, "Marley,"
Collie "The dogs
provided something we humans couldnt there was
all-around wonderful response. One girl said
the dogs provided 'the only normalcy in a
totally abnormal situation.'"
  Carole Peeler, "Cayenne,"
Standard Schnauzer"A
three-year-old boy took Cayennes leash and held
it for hours. His mother thanked me, saying the
only time her son didnt cry was when he was
with the Therapy Dogs."
Eileen Cosentino, "Pork Chop,"
Mixed Breed"The dogs
were like a sigh of relief in the midst of great
pain. Although everyone was in shock, the dogs
helped them to show happiness for at least a
short time."
Nancy Noel, "Jasmine,"Boston Terrier "Workers,
military personnel, Red Cross and Salvation Army
volunteers, American Airlines staff, and military
chaplains alike seemed to 'recharge' with the
dogs."
7
Karen Hertzog, "Zipper,"
Irish Setter"A man came running up and asked us
to come with him to his wife, who had obviously
been crying a lot. Just for a while, as she
hugged and pet Zipper, she was able to smile."
Barbara Klees, "Bailey," Golden Retriever"A
psychiatrist came up to us and said, 'I can see
you are doing more for these people than I can
do.'"
  Nanette Winter, "Gus,"
Mixed Breed"For the children, the Therapy Dogs
brought joy and comfort, a way to laugh and play
amidst the confusion and sadness."
Karen Stiff-Carroll,
"Gretchen,"
Rottweiler"I believe that Gretchen brought a
much needed mental break to the many workers
and families at Pier 94. I personally came out
of Pier 94 with a new appreciation for the
spirit of humanity."
8
Special Response
of TDI Dogs in the Aftermath of

Hurricane Katrina In October of 2005, after the
devastation of Hurricane Katrina, we accepted our
first assignment with our newly formed Disaster
Stress Relief (DSR) dog teams utilizing the
experience gained from our involvement after the
Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11. This special unit
was formed as one of our Therapy Dog programs.
Here is a quote from our 2005 Winter newsletter
recounting some of our experiences "One
particular person that we saw every day in one of
the centers we visited was a beautiful
eighty-seven year old lady. She had the spirit
and movement of a thirty year old. 'I see God in
the eyes of this dog,' were the comments to each
of us. 'The world needs ninety-nine Therapy Dogs
and one human.'
9
September 11, 2001 "Paws amidst Pain" by Sarah
Sypniewski The hours upon hours you pad through
these paths of pain,are the hours you help us
see the light through the pouring rain.You never
falter, never fail, and always call to mind,the
joy and inspiration thats sometimes hard to
find.As we muddle through the wreckage thats
half hope and half despair,You stand by like an
anchor, tail wagging in the air.With every
touch you heal us, from fur to human
heart,solace in each stroke, you prevent our
falling apart.You never complain and though you
cry, you do not show your tears,you swallow them
back, hold your post and calm so many fears.Your
spirit penetrates our beings right into our
souls,You let us touch and talk to you as we try
to fill the holes.There are times we want to
just give up and head back to our homes,and
there you are with pricked up ears and then were
not alone.You sign, surrender, knowingly roll
onto your back,"Heres my tummy - you can have
itjust give me a snack."You do so much for us
we just cant do ourselves,you specialize in
soul speak that never ceases to delve.Straight
into the place we do not talk about,You let us
cry and let us laugh and get all of it out.So
before I go, I want to say I hope you know the
truth,you saved me every single day, I survived
because of you."Dedicated to the therapy dogs
at Pier 94 in NYC who work so hard responding to
the human mess of 9/11, particularly to my
special friend, Wusel. Thank you, dogs and
humans for your undying love."
10

Contact Information   To request the
volunteer services of Therapy Dogs International
Disaster Stress Relief dog teams, we
need the following An official invitation
through a recognized agency such as
Federal
Agencies
State Agencies
Municipal Agencies
School Boards
Disaster Stress
Relief agencies Or
other agencies in need of our service
Therapy Dogs
International, Inc.
88 Bartley Road
Flanders, NJ
07836
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
Email
tdi_at_gti.net