Puppy love: New Hospice puppy brings immediate comfort

A new friend has been making Kline Hospice House a warmer place to be for patients, their loved ones and staff

His name is “Steeler” and he is a 10-month-old goldendoodle puppy. He is still in training, but has started making hospice visits with his trainer and main handler.

Laurel Cucchi, the executive director of Hospice of Frederick County, and Doug Stauffer, the president of Stauffer Funeral Homes and Hospice board member, said getting Steeler was a joint venture. It all started about a year and a half ago when the funeral home brought on Steeler’s brother, ironically named “Raven.”

The idea to get Raven was initially a bit of a gamble but Stauffer said he knew it paid off when the dog went to an upset child during a funeral and never left the child’s side. Dogs are a common denominator among many people, and having Raven on hand usually made them smile, even during tough and confusing times.

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