Photo By Sgt. Kelsey Simmons | U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Stone Carillo, assigned to Navy Cargo Handling...... read more read more
Therapy Dogs visit Sailors Deployed in Boston
Spc. Kelsey Simmons
14th Public Affairs Detachment
Therapy Dogs visit Sailors Deployed in Boston
BOSTON -- Therapy dogs with the organization Dogs Building Opportunities for Nurturing and Emotional Support, or Dog B.O.N.E.S., have been visiting U.S. Navy Sailors deployed to the Community Vaccination Center (CVC) at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston in support of Department of Defense federal vaccine response operations, every Sunday since the Sailors have been in town providing vaccinations.
“Everyone looks forward to Sundays because we all know it as the ‘puppy day,’” said U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brianna Johnston, a construction electrician assigned to Navy Cargo Handling Battalion One, Williamsburg, Virginia. “It’s so fun playing with all the dogs. Even though Boston isn’t a high-stress environment, it’s still so nice to relax and unwind with them.”
Dog B.O.N.E.S. is a non-profit organization that has been providing smiles and comfort to the people of Massachusetts since June 2002.
According to the Dog B.O.N.E.S. website, their primary purpose is to “bring a little fun into someone's day as they recuperate, rehabilitate or simply live life.”
“I’ve been a member of the company since the beginning,” said Anne Stoma, a volunteer member of Dog B.O.N.E.S. and owner of the petite golden retriever, Sophie. “Before COVID-19, we did weekly visits to the VA hospital in Boston. We also did a lot of college visits, making rounds during finals and midterms.”
Although members of Dog B.O.N.E.S. weren’t able to go out and spread joy to people throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, they are happy to be back at work now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state of Massachusetts have both lifted some of the mandates and guidelines.
“I can tell Franklin is legitimately excited to be back,” said Valerie Stephens, another volunteer member of Dog B.O.N.E.S. and owner of Franklin, an eight-year-old puggle. “He knows as soon as I put on his harness that he’s on and it’s time for work.”
After long hours of providing vaccinations to the local community members of Boston, the Sailors appreciate being able to relax and unwind with some friendly furry faces.
“It brings in so much morale, especially during COVID-19, when people can’t go home as much,” Johnston said. “One of the dogs, Wally, reminds me of my dog, so when they visit and I play with him, it feels like I’m playing with my dog back home.”
While the Sailors express their gratitude to the volunteers, the sentiment is equally shared as the volunteers explain the reason behind their visits.
“It’s a way for us to say thank you to the service members for all they do,” Stephens said. “I went to the Hynes Convention Center to get my first vaccination, so it was awesome coming back here with Franklin and seeing some of the same faces.”
The Sailors deployed in Boston are a part of 3,000 military medical and support personnel from the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force supporting the federal vaccination effort in 25 States and in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
To date, these military personnel have administered approximately 4.8 million vaccines.
U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, remains committed to providing continued, flexible Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of the whole-of-government response to COVID-19.
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| Date Taken: | 05.19.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.20.2021 12:35 |
| Story ID: | 396881 |
| Location: | BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 160 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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