MEDINA, N.Y. — Wendi Pencille works for the IBM team at Ingram-Micro, but training therapy dogs and volunteering with them is her passion.
Over the past 20 years, Pencille has had 9 certified therapy dogs. Her latest, Crush, is a 135 pound 2-year-old St. Bernard. She said he's a gentle giant.
"He's just the most rock solid dog we've ever had. Nothing phases him," said Pencille.
She volunteers with Crush monthly at Bornhava, a therapeutic pre-school in Amherst for children with developmental disabilities.
"He loves the kids. He gets his cuddles and snuggles. He gives kisses to the kids and they like to walk him. He thrives on this," she said.
And the children thrive, too.
Crush has an indescribable bond with a little girl named Aria and she lights up when he's around.
"When they first met each other, Crush came up and put his head down on her lap and just sat there and did not want to part ways with her," said Bornhava Executive Director Shannon Karcher. "You just see this calming effect that Crush has on so many of the children here and its really good and it's been such a benefit for us."
Karcher said Wendi and Crush are part of the Bornhava family.
"She's really a giver and it's been so great to have her. We can't thank her enough for bringing Crush into our lives," said Karcher.
Through the SPCA's Paws For Love program, Pencille also volunteers with Crush and her other therapy dogs at businesses, events, and even funerals. Buffalo firefighter Jason Arno's wake last year was Crush's very first assignment.
"The funeral director came and he said, 'Mrs. Arno wants to meet the St. Bernard.' And that was probably one of the most moving experiences I've ever had as a therapy dog volunteer. He went right to her. She was on her hands and knees and she was just hugging him and he was licking her cheeks. I don't think I'll ever have an experience like that again. He gets the assignment. He's bringing comfort to people and he loves it," said Pencille.
Crush might be a therapy dog for others, but Pencille says volunteering with him is therapeutic for her, too.
"It's so much fun. It's so rewarding. It's not work. It's a gift that he has, and to be able to share that with kids and help them, there's nothing like it," she said.
To learn more about getting a pet certified to be a therapy animal and the various volunteer opportunities, visit the SPCA's Paws for Love website here.
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