Becoming a Bat Mitzvah includes participating in one's community and doing "mitzvahs" or good deeds.  Macy chose to train her dog Phoenix as a therapy dog for her Mitzvah project.  As a therapy dog, Phoenix brings special joy and comfort to those in need.  Phoenix is currently undergoing training to be an official "therapy dog" so he can go to hospitals, schools, and other places where a dog's snuggle and unconditional love can be life changing, or at a minimum a comfort during a difficult or struggling time. Due to Covid, training  and scheduled in-person visits were  placed on hold, but Macy will become an official "handler" this summer if both she and Phoenix pass their final exams. 

If all goes well, Macy and Phoenix will continue to train and Phoenix might one day become a "reader" dog, so young elementary students struggling with reading can practice with him as listener! 

 

To learn more about therapy dog services and "reading" services; or if you want your dog to become one too; or you want to donate or support such services , you can go to National Capital Therapy Dogs.You can tell them Macy sent you!