Franciscan Health Pet Therapy Program volunteers visited the Lake Township Volunteer Fire Station and Lake Village Community Center on March 15 to comfort first responders and victims of the tornado that devastated the Newton County town on March 10.

The visit was arranged when Pet Therapy Program volunteers reached out to Lori Postma, manager of emergency preparedness for Franciscan Health Dyer and Munster, who also works with the volunteer fire department. The tornado killed an elderly couple, injured several others and caused extensive damage in the town.

Julie Canady, who created Franciscan’s Pet Therapy Program, and her dog Meiko were joined by Pet Therapy Program volunteer Paulette Bedka and her dog Darla. Postma said the dogs provided great comfort to one woman in particular, who had not been able to stop trembling since the tornado. Postma said the Pet Therapy visit was “very much a mission moment.”

Pet Therapy Program volunteers visit the Dyer, Munster and Crown Point hospitals and often participate in community events. To support the program, make a Franciscan Health Foundation gift at www.FranciscanHealthFoundation.org and select Pet Therapy Fund from the drop-down menu.