Volunteer Spotlight
Happiness
by Bill Schneider
"Happiness is not made by what we own. It is what we share."
– Jonathan Sackso
I recently watched an Instagram reel about a young man who rescued a two-year-old Dachshund Chihuahua Jack Russell dog discovered in a taped box abandoned along a Southern California highway. The young man named the little dog Elko and decided that together they would find happiness by discovering the world. Three years later, they have traveled to 40 countries. Together, they have become a symbol of hope that things will get better.
Inspired by this story, I recalled the joy that Max and I discovered in April 2024, when we traveled together for a week in Tulum, Mexico, where we celebrated winning my battle with cancer. Now, we work as a therapy team.
Today, we are headed from Evanston to downtown Chicago on a Union Pacific Metra train. I watch Max continue to discover the world through the train window. Curiosity surrounds him along our 30-minute trip.
Spending time with my therapy dog has become one of the best gifts. Watching Max light up any room brings a smile to the face of strangers. This is pure pleasure and fills my heart with joy.
Since becoming certified in August 2024 as a visitation team with Canine Therapy Corps, Max and I have volunteered at numerous corporate events: the Chicago Lighthouse, nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities, the Chicago Public Library, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and most recently the Office of Emergency Management and Communication in the West Loop.
We have visited the OEMC several times, where Max and I are escorted to the third-floor atrium to welcome 9-1-1 call center staff beginning or ending their shifts. Dispatchers and call takers often need a break and find refuge in the atrium, especially when therapy dogs visit.
During our first visit to the OEMC on July 16, Max and I were met by Gwendolyn, the licensed clinical professional counselor who works with the OEMC. Max immediately hugged Gwen. Happiness surrounded us.
Gwen explained how the presence of trained therapy dogs significantly improves the environment of the 9-1-1 call center by providing emotional support to call takers and dispatchers who often experience high-stress situations. During short breaks, the 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers interact with therapy dogs, helping to reduce anxiety, lower stress levels, boost mental clarity and focus, and improve overall morale.
My role is to introduce Max to everyone and let them know how long we will be visiting. Max greeted the first group of folks to arrive following their roll call. He moved from person to person, sharing his happiness for being in the same room as them. Every so often, Max runs to me for reinforcement of his good work.
Our first 90-minute visit flew by, and even though Max was exhausted, he was thrilled to be the center of attention in a world surrounded by chaos, fear and threats to public safety.
Nearly a month and five visits later, one of the fire department dispatchers stopped to hug Max and thank me for coming every week. “Your visits mean the world to us,” she said. I learned that the heroes and angels that respond to these crisis calls often do not know the outcome of their efforts. It’s part of the world they work in.
We left the OEMC and headed to the Metra station for our trip home. Happiness is what we both shared. A few blocks ahead of us, I saw flashing lights as we approached a fire truck responding to a call alongside a high-rise building on Canal Street.
Max wagged his tail as he watched the activity surrounding the fire truck.
Like so many therapy dogs, he brings love to unfinished stories.
Happiness is wanting what you have.
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