TMSG:Therapy Dog & Owner Deliver ‘Hero Healing Kits’ To Health Care Workers

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Mom says my white coat makes me look like I have what many bodybuilders call “invisible lat syndrome”. I have no idea what any of that means, but I do know mom isn’t a doctor yet and she says I still look adorable in my coat. Do YOU think I look like I have ILS? Swipe right then Comment below 👇🏼👇🏼 . . . . . . . . . #rottie #rotties #dogtorloki #therapydog #dogsofdc #dogsofmaryland #dogs #dog #rottiesofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #Rottweiler #doggo #rottweilerpuppy #bodybuilding #dogsofig #dogsofinsta #puppy #ifbb #npc #petstagram #rottweilersofinstagram #rottweilervideos #dogoftheday #cutepup #dogvideos #ilovedogs #doggo #dailyfluff #ellenratemydog #invisiblelatsyndrome

A post shared by Loki ♀️🎀the Therapy Rottweiler (@dogtor.loki) on Apr 19, 2020 at 6:25am PDT

2-year-old Rottweiler therapy dog Loki is known for comforting patients each week at the University of Maryland Medical Center. But then the coronavirus pandemic prevented therapy dogs from visiting the hospital. So that's when her owner Caroline Benzel, and Loki figured out a creative way to still help patients. They did remote therapy dog visits. Benzel would have Loki sit outside and they would have patients imagine they were sitting outside with Loki and hearing the birds, and seeing other people.

Benzel is a second-year medical student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She started training Loki since he was 18 weeks old and she says she's always been a natural at her job. In doing their virtual visits, Benzel noticed the physical effects of masks that healthcare workers are forced to wear. So she thought of ways to help them and came up with care packages called "Hero Healing Kits." In those kits were hypoallergenic lotion for irritated skin, packs of gum to help with dry mouth, medicated powder to help with skin irritation, vaseline, chapstick, and tea and coffee packets. Each package is adorned with Loki's face on them along with a thank you note with messages of appreciation. With the help of a neighbor, they put together about 1,400 kits so far. They've also raised money from medical students to help creating more kits for neighboring hospitals. If you want to help the cause, or just watch Dogtor Loki and her owner's progress, follow along here.    

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(P)update on HERO HEALING KITS: So far we have raised over 1,400 total kits, but are closer to +1,600 incomplete kits 😱 The donations keep coming in!! Needless to say, we are blown away by the kindness and generosity of people. . We will be distributing the majority of these to 4 different hospitals over the next week. AND THAT IS JUST THE BEGINNING. . Further, the hope was people would see what we are trying to do and be inspired to do the same in their respective areas, and that HAS HAPPENED! 😁😁 @jkrevitz and her fabulous momma bear Becky in Philadelphia wanted to do the same, and have already collected almost 200 #herohealingkits in a matter of days (pics of their progress above 🙌🏼). We also have inspired others to do similar projects in NJ, NC, and other parts of Maryland. . THIS was was the dream, and it is coming to fruition: not only to help frontline workers/first responders, but to inspire others to do the same in their counties and states for their respective hospitals. . Thank you again for all the love and support shown through all of this. We wanted to show our people keeping us safe some love, and because of you, we have been able to do that. 💕💕 . . If you would like to donate, the amazon wishlist link is in the bio, or DM for our Venmo. Or if you would even share our story, we would be so grateful 🙏🏼 . . If you would like to start Hero Healing Kits in your area, please reach out and I will help you in any way I can. To see our original story that started all of this, go to @dogsofcharmcity for her article “Not All Heroes Wear Capes...” . . . Also, a big thank you to all who shared our fundraiser including: @propetshots @doctordiaries @jaanuubydrneela @minidoodlebentley @rottweilermom @hi.this.is.tatum @cliveandbacon @ripleyandrue @dermguru @smittythepup @baltimorehoney @dood_itscharlie And countless others . . . . . #thankshealthheroes . . . . #dogtorloki #emt #premed #rn #scrubs #residency #resident #rottiesofinstagram #Rottweiler #doctor #nurse #rottie #medicine #dogsofig #dogsofinsta #puppy #dog #petstagram #rottweilersofinstagram #dailyfluff #dogoftheday #cutepup #medstudent #hospital #medlife #medicalschool #ellenratemydog

A post shared by Loki ♀️🎀the Therapy Rottweiler (@dogtor.loki) on Apr 10, 2020 at 6:37am PDT