Beverly and her dogs

Working for the American Red Cross National Headquarters for over thirty-six years, Bev held positions in Health and Safety Services, Armed Forces Emergency Services, Youth Services, and the Office of Volunteers.  Prior to her retirement and move to New Hampshire, Bev helped to develop liaison with other voluntary, community, and ad hoc groups involved in disaster response for the purpose of ensuring mutual support and coordination of disaster relief services between organizations.  While working at the September 11^th Family Assistance Center in New York City , she was introduced to pet therapy dogs.  Bev recalls, “One could not imagine the bleak faces we saw each day and then the wagging tails appeared.  Laughter was heard and family members began posing questions to the dogs regarding their health and what they had for breakfast.  The dogs miraculously turned families’ personal grief into genuine concern for another living entity.  I will never forget the comfort, laughter, and healing that those wagging tails and their New York pet therapy associations brought to the Family Assistance Center .” 

Canines of all shapes and sizes served as sibling characters because Bev grew up as an only child.  When Mike, her husband, served in the U.S. Army, family dogs escorted them around the world.   Bev and Mike are currently captivated by five year old twin grandchildren and six year old litter mates, Heidi and Brittany - Old English Sheepdogs.