CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — With the recent tragedy of fallen police officer and Army veteran, Alan McCollum, the community has come together in big way.
One of which, involves dogs. Not just any dog, but therapy dogs. These therapy dogs are from The Go Team Therapy Dogs, a volunteer-run organization.
After Friday night, the Go Team Therapy Dogs reached out to the Corpus Christi Police Department in hopes of offering some unconditional dog-love to the dispatch department.
"Since they were the first ones to receive the call," Michelle Terhune said. "It was a tragic event, and I'm sure it was very hard for them to listen to all of what was going on over the radio, over the mic."
Terhune is a coordinator with Go Team Therapy Dogs, and was happy to bring a team of 10 dogs and their handlers to the CCPD station Saturday night.
"They were laughing with the dogs, some people were crying. So it was a very emotional event."
Terhune understands the grief and sadness all too well, and says having a therapy dog helped her when she needed it.
"Dogs can provide amazing comfort to people when they're grieving, I learned this when my husband passed away."
Another member of the Go Team Therapy Dogs, knows how tough a job as a public service member can be.
"Anytime we go to work, there's no guarantee we're coming home," said Jerilyn Cordova, coordinator with Go Team Therapy Dogs, and Corpus Christi Fire Fighter.
Cordova learned having a therapy dog helped not only her in her line of duty, but helped others too.
"We're out to bring comfort, for whichever situation may arise."
All dogs go through hundreds of hours of training just to become a therapy dog with Go Team. The organization provides any help they can, Cordova says they've traveled as far as Oregon and to El Paso, to help others in times of need.
"Because they really know unconditional love," Cordova said.
Go Team Therapy Dogs are available for individuals or groups, you can find more information on how they help the community here.
