This Therapy Dog Works in a Funeral Home

"Ally" the goldendoodle is trained to comfort people as they grieve.

In some of the worst times of our lives, dogs are there to help us feel better. Some of them do it on a strictly amateur basis as our beloved family pets, but others are professionals. Funeral home therapy dogs are trained in the art of comforting humans as we grieve.

I had a chance to meet Ally, a goldendoodle who works as the resident therapy dog at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, Iowa. I talked to her owner and her trainer about how Ally does her job and why dogs are such a great fit for funeral homes. And I discovered that the future of grief support is furry and has a cold nose.

When you walk into Carson Celebration of Life Center, Ally is likely to be one of the first things you see. Her perch is right inside the door, prominently labeled: "My name is Ally. I am a registered therapy dog. I'm friendly. Ask to pet me." More often than not, Ally is sitting on her seat with her "Therapy Dog" vest on, waiting for someone to approach her. But if she's not there, it may well be because she's actively comforting a griever.

• Understanding Mourning
• The Five Stages of Grief
• The Pain of Losing a Pet
• What is Disenfranchised Grief?