Amber and her daughters welcomed Lucy into their lives after the loss of their beloved 17-year-old husky mix, Shadow. In the midst of grief, they found comfort and connection through visits to the Berea animal shelter, where Amber’s daughters would read to the dogs. It was during this time that they learned about Lucy—through a friend of a relative—who needed a new home. “We went to see her,” Amber says, “and the rest is history.”

Over the past year and a half, Lucy has become a certified therapy dog through Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, with Amber and her daughters all trained as her handlers. Together, they visit Kemper House, a residential care facility for individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s, about once a month. “She is just the sweetest dog,” Amber shares.

Lucy has also made a few special appearances at school, particularly during stressful testing periods like MAP testing. Her calming presence offers comfort and a much-needed emotional break for students. Amber is passionate about the role therapy animals can play in education—and we are, too.