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🐕 Inside a day with therapy dog Lucy
Friday 8/29: Sponsored by Money.com and Bioma - Therapy dogs boosting kids' mental health, day in the life of therapy dog, and difference between ESA's and therapy dogs



Happy Friday:
🩷 Inside a day with therapy dog Lucy
🦮 Dogs help kids cope with school stress
🐾 Do you have the right insurance for you pup?
🐕 Service dogs and emotional support animals
🦴 Calm cut = calm you
…And more! ❤️
Did you know…
A dog’s sense of time is tied to ___.
(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Inside a Day With Therapy Dog Lucy
Lucy the Golden Retriever has a workday routine unlike most dogs. She volunteers as a therapy dog in Bettendorf, Iowa, offering comfort and companionship to people who need it most.
Through the Quad Cities Canine Assistance Network (QCCAN), Lucy visits places like senior living facilities, schools, and even crisis centers. Each therapy dog goes through special training and certification to make sure they’re calm, friendly, and ready to interact with people in all kinds of situations. Dogs of all breeds and sizes are welcome, from tiny Chihuahuas to Bernese Mountain Dogs weighing over 100 pounds.
On her visits, Lucy sits patiently while residents pet her, often sparking conversations about the pets they once had. Some facilities even collect therapy dog “business cards,” turning each visit into a moment residents look forward to every month.
For those who may feel lonely, a few minutes with Lucy can be the highlight of their day. Her calm, gentle nature invites people to open up, laugh, and connect. It’s a reminder that sometimes, healing comes on four paws with a wagging tail.


Dogs Help Kids Cope With School Stress
In schools across the U.S., therapy dogs are quietly transforming the classroom. From Oklahoma to Colorado, dogs like Kalani and Shadow greet students with wagging tails and calming energy. Their presence helps children manage stress, ease anxiety, and even sharpen focus.
At Morris Elementary in Oklahoma, some kids go straight for Kalani, a golden retriever-poodle mix. A few minutes of petting her fur slows their breathing and makes it easier to open up. In other schools, therapy dogs sit with students during reading practice or help children with disabilities build communication skills by giving commands like “sit” or “stay.”
Many programs grew after the pandemic, supported by federal relief funds and community donations that cover specialized training. Dogs are taught to remain calm during noisy hallways, crowded events, and even lockdown drills.
For students and teachers alike, the impact is lasting: whether it’s finding the courage to talk through big emotions or simply pausing for a much-needed moment of comfort.


Vet Bills Won’t Break the Bank If You Have The Right Insurance
Surprise vet bills can certainly bite. But fear not, pet insurance can be your lifeline. Some plans cover major surgeries — which can cost up to $7,000 — so you can afford the best care for your pet. Check out our top-rated pet insurance providers, with some plans offering coverage for just $1 a day, multi-pet coverage, and reimbursement options of up to 90%. With the right coverage, you could keep your pet (and your wallet) happy.
Thank you to Money.com for sponsoring Daily Dig.

Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals
Dogs can change lives in ways that go far beyond companionship. But when it comes to service dogs and emotional support animals (ESAs), the differences are bigger than most people realize.
Service dogs are trained to perform very specific tasks, like guiding someone with vision loss, detecting blood sugar changes, or calming a veteran through a PTSD episode. Because of this training, they’re protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act and can accompany their handler almost anywhere, even restaurants and airplanes.
Emotional support animals, on the other hand, provide comfort through their presence alone. They don’t need special training and can be dogs, cats, or even smaller pets. While they don’t share the same public access rights as service dogs, housing laws do protect them, meaning landlords must allow them in “no pet” buildings.
Both roles highlight the incredible ways animals help humans thrive. Whether it’s a service dog trained for life-saving tasks or a pup who eases loneliness, each bond is powerful and worth understanding.


Calmer Gut for a Calmer You
When stress sticks around, it doesn’t just affect your mood—it can impact your digestion, energy, and even how your body holds onto weight. That’s why Bioma’s daily capsules focus on lowering cortisol, the hormone often tied to “stress” weight.
In just 7 seconds each morning, you’ll get a blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics designed to support your gut and help balance stress from the inside out. The formula features:
Prebiotic xylooligosaccharides – shown to lower cortisol in weeks
Probiotic Bifidobacterium – for gut balance and healthy digestion
Postbiotic Tributyrin – to help the other ingredients work at their best
For a limited time, Note To Self readers get an extra 10% off Bioma, on top of their current discount, with code WLSUMMER.
Thank you to Bioma for sponsoring Daily Dig.

Minnie’s Picks
From sweet signs of love to viral talent, here’s what’s making tails wag:

A Special Message From Our Best Buddies

Daily Dig is inspired and brought to you by our wonderful dogs. Our dogs, and all the other pups out there, make the world a happier, brighter place. ❤️
With lots of love,
Stitcher, Minnie, & Finnegan 🐾

🦴 A Little Treat
🤔 Did You Know: A dog’s sense of time is tied to scent. Morning and evening have different scent “signatures” as air shifts, helping them anticipate routines.
🐶 DOTD: Give your pup the spotlight by submitting them for the dog of the day! Reply to this email with the best pictures of your dog. Be sure to include their name and a short description so they can be featured in an upcoming newsletter.
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