Therapy Dog Continued Comforting Seniors To Let Them Know They Weren't Alone During Lockdowns

Meet Tonka, one adorable therapy dog that stepped up to the plate when times got tough.

Shasta

• Published in Animal Stories
• March 24, 2020

Therapy dogs come in all shapes and sizes and perform all sorts of tasks. Meet Tonka, one adorable therapy dog that stepped up to the plate when times got tough.

The dog's comforting presence has brought so much joy to the residents and patients at Cedar Pointe Health and Wellness Suites in Texas, over the last two years. A gorgeous Great Dane, Tonka is a sweet and dedicated dog.

The kindhearted dog is always there to offer loving support whenever anyone needs it, but with the safety precautions surrounding the insane coronavirus pandemic, the regular visits the dog had to his residents had to momentarily be put on hold.

Senior Care facilities around the world have gone into self-isolation, doing all that they can to limit their contact with the outside world in an effort to escape COVID-19. That was hard on families, friends, and it turns out... therapy dogs, too!

However, Tonka and his handler seemed to have found a loophole, and used it to their advantage. Check out this amazing dog's story now!

Instead of entering the building like usual, Tonka greeted the residents at their window sills instead. His bold heart let them know that even though they're in isolation for the time being, they're most certainly not alone.

It's safe to say the residents were completely overjoyed that nothing could stop Tonka's comforting ways.

"It was heartwarming to see the look on the faces of the elderly when they were surprised to see Tonka in their window," gushed Tonka's handler, Sarah Peters.

"When they would put their hands up against the window it brought a few tears," she told the Dodo in an interview.

Some of the residents missed him so much, that they'd made signs just for Tonka.

They wanted to show their appreciation for him, by simply being there for them during this tough time.

Tonka's handler divulged that this would be the first of many visits for him. And that no matter what, he will bring as much joy to the residents as he possibly can, until each of them can see him face to face again.

"I’m so lucky that I was there [that day]," Peters said, "to see that and be a part of it all."

What a true joy. It's stories like these that keep us all going at times like this.

Shasta