Former service members find solace from an unlikely source: Meet New Hampshire’s dynamic Red Cross therapy dog team

By June Mittelmark, Red Cross writer

Beautiful auburn hair that shines. Big brown eyes that look at you with a hint of kindness. Her ability to make someone smile is breathtaking. Who is this beauty? Her name is Gracie. She and her owner, Barbara Desjardins, are members of the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces Therapy Team. The team visits the Manchester VA Hospital weekly bringing smiles and joy to the veterans as well as the staff.

Barbara Desjardins & Gracie

“I realized upon my retirement as a mental health professional, that I wanted to volunteer,” Barbara noted, “but I wanted whatever I did for volunteer work to matter, to have some type of humanitarian support. That was of the utmost importance to me.” 

After researching many organizations, she settled on volunteering for the American Red Cross Northern New England Region – and has been an active volunteer for the past 12 years. She serves in Disaster Services as an emergency responder and the is the New Hampshire Seacoast Lead for the Home Fire Campaign.  

Gracie came into Barbara’s life about four years ago.  Gracie, who is a purebred toy Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, was rescued by Barbara after an elderly couple could no longer care for her. Barbara had previously owned dogs and loved the experience of training them with professional classes and also learning about dog behaviors. 

Gracie had to unlearn past behavior and Barbara spent many hours, days, and months training Gracie with basics such as sit, stay, don’t jump, even walking with a leash. As time went on, Barbara began to think about the possibility of Gracie becoming a therapy dog. After a year of intense training, Barbara decided to pursue dog therapy certification. Barbara’s goal was to volunteer with Gracie and possibly start a pet therapy program at nearby hospitals. 

Barbara found the perfect fit for Gracie within the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) Program. Regional SAF Director Celeste Stimpson opened doors that allowed Gracie and Barbara to start visiting the Manchester VA Hospital. 

“This took many months of training and we had to go through rigorous testing to meet all the certification requirements. We passed and Gracie became the first certified therapy dog in the Northern New England Region of the American Red Cross!” Barbara commented. 

Gracie and Barbara obtained insurance and continue annual re-certification for Gracie. Gracie is certified with the National Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

So now, every Thursday, the duo goes to VA Hospital in Manchester, meeting up with specified veterans who want solace and comfort. Barbara, Gracie, and a VA staff member greet each veteran and make sure they are receptive to Gracie’s visit. Gracie meets their specific needs; sometimes in their lap, or on their bed, or on the floor – it’s what the veteran chooses and Gracie brings warmth, love, kindness, and companionship in their short visit.

Barbara noted one veteran, in particular, who suffers from PTSD and has issues with tremendous mood swings. This veteran normally stays by himself and doesn’t always want to see Gracie. But when he does see her, Barbara notices how he opens up, will talk more, and how Gracie brightens his day. Being with Gracie for that short while helps this veteran to become less alone, and they even found that he participated in some community activities with others soon after! 

“One of the benefits of this type of therapeutic program is to help these veterans open up to Gracie,” Barbara noted. “Once that interaction starts with Gracie, the veterans are often able to open up to others and participate more in their veteran community. Gracie brings smiles and helps the veterans relax more.”

Barbara and Gracie bring love, warmth, and kindness to these veterans who have endured so much in their lives. A cuddle, a lick on the hand or face, someone to just sit and listen to anything you have to say – who wouldn’t want that?  The meaning of the name “Grace” implies unmerited love and mercy that is given freely. And that describes what this beautiful dog and her owner do every Thursday.

For more information on the SAF Animal Visitation program, visit https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/military-families.html or call your local Red Cross Chapter.