Meet Haylee Sue!

Haylee Sue, a two-year-old Pug, is a registered therapy dog with the Delta Society and a crisis response dog for Extra Mile K9 Crisis Response Ministry. As a therapy dog, she visits Arrowhead Regional Medical Center patients and staff. Her presence can make patients feel better, which helps in the healing process, so they can return home. Her curly tail and non-stop wiggling body bring joyful accolades—“It’s Haylee Sue!”—and immerse the hardworking Arrowhead staff in an immediate sense of calm.

In our Humane Education classroom presentations, Haylee sets the example of how to be a polite student — she is a pro at raising her hand before asking a question! As a reading assistance dog, she holds a page down with her paw as the students read to her.

Haylee also works hard as a comfort dog. Because of their association with Extra Mile K9 Crisis Response Ministry, Lisa and Haylee were called out to the evacuation shelter for the 2008 Porter Ranch wildfires. Again, Haylee’s presence brought an air of calm and a bit of happiness to the wildfire evacuees and families who had lost their homes. She also brought compassion and support to the parents and families of murdered children by attending meetings of Parents of Murdered Children, Inc. (POMC®). In December 2008, Lisa and Haylee visited with children at a unique event sponsored by Snow Ball Express. Quoting from their website, Snow Ball Express is a charity that strives to “provide hope and new memories to the children of military fallen heroes who have died while on active duty since 9/11.”

Haylee comforted and calmed many individuals who were sad or hurting. Her sweet nature often turns tears into smiles.

 

Snowball Express assists children who have lost a loved one while he or she was on active military duty. Above, Lisa Medina and Haylee Sue prepare for their visit.