Liberty State Park - NJ Family Disaster Relief Center 11/3/01:

I felt proud to be asked to go to Liberty State Park, to provide pet therapy with my dog Norman. My first impression was that I was totally struck by the level of effort by all of the volunteers. The families would come in and be greeted and escorted by a single NOVA or Red Cross volunteer, who stayed with them as a companion during their entire visit. Each family was matched with a volunteer on a one-to-one basis.

They proceeded together through "The Wall" where triangular-shaped columns were standing tall, with photos and inscriptions written about the victims. Janet showed me around and demonstrated what she had been doing with her dog, Hudson, for the past several weeks. There was stillness in the air, along with the quiet murmur of voices. We walked through the intake area and then to The Wall. My first experience at The Wall was with an elderly couple, walking along with a photo and searching for an empty space for their loved one. The man was given a chair and he climbed up high and taped the photo to The Wall. Janet, always the P.T., stood behind the man, holding up her hand in case it was needed, making sure he wouldn't fall. The man took the big marker and wrote to his son, "We miss you, Love, Mom and Dad." It was almost too much to bear. The Red Cross Volunteer and I both looked at each other with tears in our eyes. She bent down and hugged Norman and I did the same. I moved along The Wall with Janet and was struck by the photos and messages. Some of the people, but especially the volunteers, reached out to the dogs. We stood nearby several families, respecting their emotional state, yet wanting them to reach out and touch the dogs for some much-needed comfort, if they wanted. Many of them (especially the volunteers) spoke of their own dogs and how much they missed them. Sometimes we just stood next to the people. One woman was sitting on the floor, writing on the wall. She finished and was sitting there and Norman climbed under her leg and came up to her face and licked her. She began to laugh and fell backwards and Norman continued to lick her face. Her tears of sorrow became tears of joy, and she thanked me. She said that was such a good laugh and so much fun.

Janet and I then walked through the little park-like setting where the trailers that house offices were located (Death certificates, financial services, etc.). It was peaceful that morning, so we moved on. We went back to The Wall for a while and were well received by some of the families. There was an unspoken code between us: The dogs are here as a distraction, so let's not talk about what happened across the river on Sept. 11th. Let's not talk about whom we lost and how much they mean to us. We are giving and they are accepting our offering of a pet to reach out to and be comforted for this brief moment of time. For the first time since they walked through the doors, they smile and even laugh for a moment or two. Their face shows some brightness and hope for the first time. The smiles and laughter are contagious - spreading to the small group of people who surround the dogs.

The room where we spent a good deal of time in the train station was remarkably well restored and the attention to detail was amazing. The attempt to make it look like a comfortable place was seen in the furniture and plants throughout the room. There were many cards and other mementos hung throughout the room -thankful wishes for the rescue workers and sorrow for the tragic deed that had been committed. Volunteers were ready to provide food to all. Emergency childcare was also provided in this room. There was a chapel off of this room, and the presence of chaplains in the entrance of the room was comforting. We visited several of the chaplains at a table near the entrance and one of them, not interesting in petting Norman, but did ask me to bring him closer. He asked me the dog's name and he leaned closer and said, "It's a good thing for Norman to be here."

We discussed the benefits of pet therapy and he thanked me profusely. After they ate lunch, the families went into the chapel for an orientation. They were escorted outside to some waiting buses to go to Ground Zero with a State Police escort. Janet and I went outside and we and Norman and Hudson waved goodbye to the two buses.

We went back inside to say goodbye and we came upon a mother and son eating lunch. The boy was 11 y.o. and on the table was a black box, holding the urn, that contained ashes from Ground Zero. There was also a triangular folded flag sitting on the table. The boy told us how much he wanted a dog of his own, but his mother said it was too much at this time and she wasn't sure he would take care of it. I suggested getting "Robodog" and she said it just didn't provide the same level of comfort and she wanted to see eyes with expression and we laughed together.

There was a small child, maybe 1.5 years old, being cared for while her father ate lunch. Janet and I had seen her and her father come in earlier and when we approached the stroller, he said she would admire the dogs from afar. The child was reaching out and it seemed that the father was probably more afraid than she. This time, the little girl came out from behind the divider that made up the child-care area. She approached the dogs and Janet and I had the dogs lie down. She admired them from about a foot away. She suddenly went back into the child-care area and we thought she forgot about the dogs, but she emerged with a tiny chair and she sat on the chair about a foot away from us. Janet made Hudson lie on his side and she pretended to snore. The little girl laughed and kicked her feet. Janet dropped Hudson's Yankee cap on the floor and had the little girl pick it up and hand it back. She was perfectly content to go back and sit in the chair and watch the dogs. We said our goodbyes and on the way out we hear from many people, "Goodbye Hudson, Goodbye Norman. Thanks for coming."

If I provided a bit of comfort to any of those people who have suffered so much, and those tireless volunteers from all over the country, then it was all worthwhile. The feeling was solemn, but somehow uplifting, knowing these people have begun the healing process. No, thank you, is what I wanted to say…..for the honor of being a part of this experience.

Composed by Susan Drastal. Sue and Norman are registered with Bright & Beautiful therapy dogs. Sue is a founding member of B&B and an evaluator for them.

  In Memory and Metaphor

Oh beautiful great Christmas tree,
           Aglow with brilliants lights.
Illuminate a nation free,
           That sleeps through peaceful nights.

Oh Christmas tree , O Christmas tree,
           This sylvan region's pride.
You bear aloft a shining star,
           Our heroes' path to guide.

Oh tall and sturdy Evergreen,
           Enduring to the end.
Undaunted by the howling winds,
           Your might branches bend.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
           Your vigil ever keep.
And spread your nestling branches,
           Where the cowering sparrows sleep.

For all your might, the storm did take,
           A rare and chosen few.
Who fallen to the forest floor.
           There life will start anew.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,
            Your colors bright and true.
Restore our saddened spirits,
            'Till we tower as you do.

Verses written by Carol Capossela.

  Canine Dictionary:

LEASH: A strap which attaches to your collar, enabling you to lead your person where you want him/her to go.

DOG BED: Any soft, clean surface, such as the white bedspread in the guest room or the newly upholstered couch in the living room.

DROOL: Is what you do when your persons have food and you don't. To do this properly you must sit as close as you can and look sad and let the drool fall to the floor, or better yet, on their laps.

SNIFF: A social custom to use when you greet other dogs. Place your nose as close as you can to the other dogs rear end and inhale deeply, repeat several times, or until your person makes you stop.

GARBAGE CAN: A container which your neighbors put out once a week to test your ingenuity. You must stand on your hind legs and try to push the lid off with your nose. If you do it right you are rewarded with margarine wrappers to shred, beef bones to consume and moldy crusts of bread.

BICYCLES: Two-wheeled exercise machines, invented for dogs to control body fat. To get maximum aerobic benefit, you must hide behind a bush and dash out, bark loudly and run alongside for a few yards; the person then swerves and falls into the bushes, and you prance away.

DEAFNESS: This is a malady which affects dogs when their person want them in and they want to stay out. Symptoms include staring blankly at the person, then running in the opposite direction, or lying down.

THUNDER: This is a signal that the world is coming to an end. Humans remain amazingly calm during thunderstorms, so it is necessary to warn them of the danger by trembling uncontrollably, panting, rolling your eyes wildly, and following at their heels.

WASTEBASKET: This is a dog toy filled with paper, envelopes, and old candy wrapper. When you get bored, turn over the basket and strew the papers all over the house until your person comes home.

SOFAS: Are to dogs like napkins are to people. After eating it is polite to run up and down the front of the sofa and wipe your whiskers clean.

BATH: This is a process by which the humans drench the floor, walls and themselves. You can help by shaking vigorously and frequently.

LEAN: Every good dog's response to the command "sit !", especially if your person is dressed for an evening out. Incredibly effective before black-tie events.

BUMP: The best way to get your human's attention when they are drinking a fresh cup of coffee or tea.

GOOSE BUMP: A maneuver to use as a last resort when the Regular Bump doesn't get the attention you require.....especially effective when combined with The Sniff. See above.

LOVE: Is a feeling of intense affection, given freely and without restriction. The best way you can show your love is to wag your tail. If you're lucky, a human will love you in return.

Author Unknown