Did you know…

A dog’s sense of time is tied to ___.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

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.

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.

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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.

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

• 🐾 7 adorable signs your dog thinks you’re their parent

• 💸 Get your tax refund up to 5 days early with Cash App

• 🎶 This German Shepherd howls along to their favorite ringtone 

• 🏅 Meet the finalists in the world’s cutest rescue dog contest 

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.

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