GRIEF THERAPY DOG
Meet Ragnar (Rags), the newest member of the Oakey family who has become a familiar face to the families we serve.
Rags has completed his training to become a certified grief therapy dog and he is available to comfort families grieving the loss of a loved one. Whether for funeral planning, visitation, a ceremony or memorial service, or throughout the entire process, Rags will be around to help ease the stress and anxiety of this emotional and difficult time.
Therapy dogs have often been requested for children who are grieving and unable to express their feelings with adults. Rags can be present on request, for children, and adults, to chat with and offer friendship by sitting or lying at your feet for support and a calming effect.
According to a survey administered by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), over 50% of survey participants indicated they would be interested in the presence of a therapy dog at a funeral service.
Rags’ services are available at no additional cost to families who would like his help. He is available to serve at any of our five chapels or Oakey’s Cremation Tribute Center.
Rags is an English Golden Retriever and lives with Sam Oakey, IV, here in Roanoke.
If you’d like to request the services of Rags, please call 540-982-2100.
You can also follow Ragnar on Instagram: @ragamuffin2016
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this story first aired on WSLS's Daytime Blue Ridge.