Therapy Dog Team Spotlight: A Touch that Speaks Volumes

Wagging my golden tail and sending a huge hello to all my furry friends and their humans! I'm Murphy, and today I have a truly special story to share for our monthly Therapy Dog Blog. I recently sat down (in a good stay position!) with a wonderful human named Tracy Harper to talk about her amazing black (yes, black and not brown) Labrador partner, Viper.

Tracy is a true pro—she has been dedicated to therapy work for 30 years! While Viper was her father’s dog originally, Tracy saw how incredible he was with children and got him certified four years ago. Together, they spent a lot of their time spreading joy in schools.

Here is the heart of their journey:

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A Bond Beyond Words

Viper wasn't just a therapy dog for the community; he was a hero for his own family. Tracy shared that her father faced a very difficult road recently, dealing with a broken leg, a hip injury, and a cancer diagnosis. Through all those hospital stays at Mayo, Viper was there on a regular basis to make him smile.

The most touching moment Tracy shared with me was from her father's final days in hospice. Even when he was barely conscious or responsive to the people around him, he would always respond to Viper’s gentle nudging of his hand. Tracy’s last memory of her father is him reaching out one final time to pet his beloved dog. It just goes to show that sometimes, a dog's touch says more than words ever could.

The "Wild Tornado"

It wasn't all serious, though! When Viper wasn't on the job, he was a total goofball. Tracy calls him a "wild tornado" when it came to his toys. He loved them so much that he once threw a toy into the air and cracked the television screen!

If no one was available to play, Viper didn't let that stop him. He would run around the yard, throwing his toys into the air and catching them all by himself. While he loved every treat and toy he could find, his absolute favorite thing in the world was simply getting attention.

Therapy Dog Team Spotlight: Sadie the Somersault Dog

Hello there! Murphy the Therapy Dog here! I’m so excited to introduce you to our first spotlight team for 2026. I sat down (and wagged a lot) with my fellow therapy dog, Sadie, and her human, Dawn, to hear all about their wonderful work.

I hope that you enjoy their story!

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Paws & Purpose: A Chat with Sadie and Dawn

The Journey to Service

Every therapy dog has a "lightbulb moment," and for Sadie, a beautiful Golden Retriever, it happened early on. Her handler, Dawn Kay, noticed right away that Sadie’s true calling was simply to love every person she met—and to be loved right back.

Their journey started with obedience classes at the Coulee Region Humane Society. When construction there put a pause on their training, they didn't let that stop them; they headed over to Happy Tails Training Center to finish their classes and ace their therapy dog testing.

Memorable Moments & Belly Scratches

While being calm is a big part of our job, Sadie has found a special friend who lets her show off her playful side. At the assisted living facility they visit, there is a young woman who gives the best belly scratches.

"She gets down on the floor with her for a good thorough belly scratching with her long artificial fingernails that really get in there good," Dawn shares.

It’s a highlight for Sadie because she gets to be a little more energetic than she usually is with the older residents.

Building Bonds

Dawn and Sadie have become a staple at their facility. They have "regular friends" who wait for them in the common area, and they are always ready to welcome new residents into their circle. Dawn loves hearing the residents' stories just as much as Sadie loves the attention. It’s clear they are making a difference—Dawn says she is asked every single time they leave when they’ll be coming back!

A Little Fun with Sadie

I asked about Sadie’s "quirks," and this one made me bark with joy: when Sadie is getting petted, she sometimes stands on her head and almost does a somersault onto her back to ensure she gets the best belly rub possible. I didn’t even know us dogs could do such a thing.

When she isn't busy somersaulting or visiting friends, you can find her playing with her favorite "Go Dog" stuffed dragons and dinosaurs—though Dawn admits Sadie has "destroyed" quite a few of them!