Charles Brugnola:
CLASS OF 1965
Junipero Serra High SchoolClass of 1965
Gardena, CA
Charles's Story
Retired Hawthorne Police Department
I now train dogs, specializing in behavioral challenges. Its my passion. I also do extensive volunteer work with therapy dogs. Here is a story about our New York 911 trip.
November 1, 2001
California to New York City with therapy dogs
On September 11th, 2001 the world witnessed one of the most horrific terrorist acts ever conceived. Thousands of lives were vaporized as the New York World Trade Center crumbled into ash. In the aftermath, many more thousands of lives were traumatized. Families and friends of the victims, rescue workers, fire and police personnel, survivors, and volunteers began a grieving process. The Red Cross established a crises support unit at the Family Assistance Center, Pier 94, to assist those in dire need.
As the nation began to mourn, shock and disbelief permeated the land. The shock turned to anger, the anger turned to a strong display of patriotism. And everybody in the United States responded with an outpouring of support to the people of New York City.
Californians felt helpless, being so far away. But they did what they could and raised millions of dollars for the Red Cross Fund. I felt frustrated in the weeks to follow. Sally, my wife, and I had developed special Therapy Dog skills over the last 5 years, and this is exactly what was needed to help people through that grieving period. I wanted to drive our therapy dogs Jackson & Sweetheart to New York City. I didn¿t know how or even if we could, but I was determined to make it happen.
I started making phone calls and checking the Internet. I finally contacted Delta Society, our therapy dog organization, and they directed me to Debbie Freundlich and her Delta team in New Jersey. Debbie advised me through e-mail that the American Society For The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Red Cross, and Delta Society had coordinated an effort to make therapy dog visits to the Family Assistance Center. I told Debbie my qualifications, offered to drive to New York and requested she use us in any way she could.
In the following days I had to figure out just how we could do this trip. I put my dog training business on hold, and Sally put in for a leave of absence from her job at FEDEX.
At first Sally was hesitant to leave our safe little community in Helendale and drive cross-country into the pandemonium of New York City. After much debate we came to the conclusion that this is something we had to do.
Next obstacle, how to finance the trip? We didn¿t have the money to do this, but we did have good credit and had recently payed down our credit cards, so plastic saved the day.
Next big obstacle, I wanted to take ¿Sweetheart¿. Sweetheart is a little stray mixed breed dog who was set on fire by kids almost 2 years ago. She made a miraculous recovery with the help of Mike Erhing, Dr Mori, and her adopted owner Barbara Reyes. Sweetheart is a true survivor, who I felt could inspire some of the people of New York.
Almost a year ago, Barbara (a burn survivor herself) had graciously agreed for me to certify on Sweetheart and use her for therapy dog work. This little dog meant the world to Barbara and her family. Taking Sweetheart away for 3 weeks would be difficult. So I put off asking her. A few days later Barbara called me. In an emotional plea of certainty Barbara said, ¿Charlie, you have to take Sweetheart to New York. They need her.¿
I spent hours on the Internet trying to find a Hotel. One we could afford and would take two dogs, a 75lbs German Shepherd and 35lbs mixed Beagle. I made reservations at The Astor on the Park. Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, it was across the street from Central Park, cost $80 a night and accepted a small dog. I figured I¿d worry about the last part once we got there.
Curiously, Astor was the name of my first Patrol Dog in the US Air Force. He was a German Shepherd that fired my passions to work with dogs, and led me to this very mission.
Sally¿s leave of absence was approved, the Honda Odyssey was packed, the dogs were eager, and we were on our way to New York City, leaving Helendale, California at 7:31am on Monday October 8th, 2001.
After a long and hard drive, we arrived in New York City on Friday October 12th, 2001 at 4:00 pm. At check-in the clerk told us that they did not accept any dogs, not even little ones. I showed the clerk Jackson¿s and Sweetheart¿s Delta Pet Partner identifications and informed him that we were here from California to do volunteer work at the Family Assistance Center. The clerk smiled, thanked me for what we were doing, and proceeded to give us a room. The room was small, but clean, and had a view of Central Park across the street.
We settled into the room, unpacked, and took the dogs for a walk in the park. Central Park was very impressive, big, beautiful, and lots of people with dogs. At 6:00pm we loaded up the dogs and started driving towards the area of the World Trade Center crash site, what has become known as, ¿Ground Zero¿. The first stop we made was a Fire Station in Hells Kitchen.
As we approached the station we saw a makeshift shrine in front of the building with flowers, candles and pictures. A few people were out front taking pictures. We approached the first fireman we saw and explained that we had these wonderful dogs that do therapy work in hospitals, schools, veteran¿s homes and other places. The fireman looked very sad and somewhat somber.
As we explained why we were there you could see a puzzled looked come across his face. We then introduced the dogs and told him their stories. Within minutes he was petting Jackson and Sweetheart, smiling and asking questions about them. Several other firemen who gathered around the dogs then joined us. They also started to smile, laugh, and pet the dogs. We took Polaroid pictures with each fireman and the dogs and gave them to firemen. At first they were very surprised asking, ¿These pictures are for us?¿. I explained to them that these pictures were to remind them that even the people of California are thinking about them and wishing them well. They thanked us profusely saying they would put these pictures in their lockers and look at them every day. As we left they smiled and again thanked us.
We found another fire station on LaFeyette Avenue. Had a difficult time finding a parking place ( I understand now why people in NYC do not have cars) so we did like the New Yorkers do and double-parked just down from the station. Very similar scene as the last station, except the firemen we saw here were extremely depressed. They were still in shock. They would move about the station in a trance like state, looking at us but not really seeing us. We found out later, 14 of their men had been killed in their rescue efforts at the World Trade Center.
I picked out one particular fireman that looked the worse and explained why we there. I introduced him to Sweetheart and told him about her story of being set on fire by kids. As I told the story he became somewhat animated, and horrified. I told him how Sweetheart not only survived but also turned this tragic situation into something wonderful with the help of many people. By the end of the story he was petting and praising Sweetheart saying she was an inspiration.
Several other depressed firemen came over and started petting and praising her. I had Jackson do a few tricks (sit high, high five, speak) and all of the firemen laughed and were amazed. We took Polaroid¿s and gave them the firemen. Again a look of surprise and a huge outpouring of gratitude. By the time we left we saw many smiles and heard the sweet tones of laughter emitting from within.
I have seen the power of dogs in pulling people out of the depths of hopelessness on numerous occasions but it still amazes me.
We returned to the Astor emotionally exhausted. Our first night in New York City and we had met such wonderful, sincere people. We were looking forward to tomorrow¿s visit at the Family Assistance Center with excitement and anticipation. The dogs were also exhausted. We gave them massages put them to bed and we all slept through the night with nary a stir.
We were scheduled for our first visit at the Family Assistance Center at 12:00pm on Saturday October 13th. We left the hotel at 10:00am, arrived at the Center at 10:20am. We groomed, brushed and freshened up the dogs preparing them for their visit.
As we approached the Center we saw ¿The Wall¿. Pictures of missing loved ones. The photos had descriptions, poems, and messages attached to them. They were posted on a long plywood fence. It was overwhelming. There were thousands of faces, with loving desperate pleas of help. It hit us very hard. We were looking at every day people, not unlike our own friends, neighbors and relatives. Now these people existed only in the hearts and minds of their nearest and dearest.
After passing through heavy security we entered a large building known as Pier 94. The Red Cross and City of New York had established the Family Assistance Center at this location to assist Families and survivors. The building was originally going to be used as a morgue in anticipation of thousands of bodies. But very few bodies were recovered.
Inside were thousands of people. Everybody had on tags identifying themselves as Family, Staff, or volunteer. The Red Cross personnel were wearing vests some identifying themselves as Mental Health, Grief Councilor, or Chaplin. The large warehouse building was partitioned off with curtains, designating areas such as Legal Aid, Financial Aid, Religious preference, interpreters, Children¿s Corner, Food Service, Death Certificate issuance, and communications. As busy as it looked, it seemed very well organized and free flowing. We marveled at the efficiency and cooperation. Everybody seemed to have something to do, and everybody...Expand for more
was doing something.
We checked in at the ASPCA desk and were given a briefing. Basically it was our job to walk about the building with our dogs. If anybody showed an interest we would stop and interact with them, letting them pet and play with Jackson and Sweetheart.
Within the first half hour we made contact with several people. Most were ¿Family¿ members who seemed stressed or depressed. It was amazing how the simple act of petting and interacting with our dogs would create such a stir. We would stop to talk to one or two people and before too long a crowd would gather around us. People were fascinated and curious, but most of all they were relaxed, smiling, and open. Some of them would tell us about their loved ones in a comforting strong resolve. Others would well up with tears and hug the dogs. But in the end they were smiling and laughing. Afterwards they would lavish us with praises of gratitude, telling us how much being there helped them.
We proceeded to the children¿s corner where there were many kids. Inside were hundreds of toys scattered about the room, and numerous mental health personnel working with the kids. As we entered, the kids lit up like Christmas trees, and started playing with the dogs.
Off into one corner I noticed a 7-8 year old boy sitting on the floor by himself. He was very withdrawn. Several mental health workers were attempting, in vain, to get the boy to play, talk and just open up. He was angry and unresponsive. I could see it was a frustrating situation.
I grabbed Jackson, and laid him down approximately 10 feet away from the child. I started playing with Jackson and noticed the boy making quick glances our way. I took a large squeaky ball and rolled it towards the boy hitting him on the leg. He angrily pushed the ball back and Jackson grabbed it.
Jackson squeezed the ball and rolled it back to the boy. The boy rolled it back to Jackson. This went on for about 3-4 minutes. As the boy became more animated, the mental health people stepped in, and I took Jackson to the next child.
About 10 minutes later I looked back and saw the boy playing and talking to the mental health workers. Thirty minutes later one of the mental health workers approached me and told me the boy had lost his parents in the crash. Mental health professionals had been working with him for several days with no progress, and were very concerned about his recovery. She said, "You walk in with your dog and in less than 5 minutes there is a breakthrough. He's going to be ok, thanks to your help."
To be continued
Charlie Brugnola
California to New York City with therapy dogs part II (continued)
The ¿breakthrough¿ that we observed in the children¿s unit was not out of the ordinary. But many of our ¿breakthroughs¿ occur hours or sometimes days or months after our contact. It is only by chance that we learn of the impact of our visits on people¿s lives. For example, Sally and I had been visiting a residential care facility for several months when a lady approached us asking if our dogs name was Molley. It seems we had been visiting her Mother (approximately 4-6 minutes a month) for several months. She had picked up her mother that day to take to her to church and then brunch. As soon as her mother got into the car she stated, ¿No brunch today. You have me back by 12 noon for Molley¿s visit!¿ I had no idea Molley had such a big impact on the mothers life. Months later the daughter confided in me and gave me permission to use the rest of her story. It seems she had a very difficult childhood because of her mother¿s mental illness. As an adult and a Christian she long forgave her dying mother. But there was still a distance between them. She was desperate to make a healing contact with her mother but nothing was working. She had no idea that her mother liked dogs, and was amazed at her reaction to Molley. She decided to purchase a German shepherd puppy and make visits with her mother. The transformation was astounding. She and her mother bonded in a way they never had. The wound was healed the gap was closed and she made true peace with her mother just months before she passed. The daughter went on to become an outstanding therapy dog handler and now does work with mental health patients in hospitals and correctional facilities. The German shepherd puppy is our Jackson! All this resulting from a 4-6 minute visit once a month. So simple yet so effective.
I have seen our dogs draw out such a reaction on several occasions with young and old. Most of the time we, as therapy dog handlers, are not fortunate enough to see the results of our contacts. But on these special occasions when we get to observe an actual ¿breakthrough¿ it is quite exhilarating. The feeling of accomplishment makes just that one contact worth doing the whole trip.
After working with several children we decided to give the dogs a break and left that area. About 20 minutes later Dr. LaFarge, of the ASPCA, contacted us. She told us there was a last minute cancellation on the ¿Boat ride¿ and asked if one of us would like to fill the appointment.
We had no idea what the ¿boat ride¿ was, so Dr LaFarge explained it to us. The Red Cross would take 30 to 50 family members, put them on a boat and ferry them over to ¿ground zero¿. There was a special platform built right at ground zero overlooking what was left of the World Trade Center. The family members were taken to this point so they could observe the site first hand. This was a ¿closure¿ process, showing the families that there was no way someone could have survived the wreckage.
The Red Cross would have grief counselors, special trained volunteers, Chaplains, and mental health workers adopt a family and escort them on the trip. One therapy dog team was allowed on the boat to assist in any way they could.
Because of the extreme emotional conditions the therapy dog team normally has to have special training and extensive skills to qualify for this trip. Dr LaFarge had been observing us and was convinced we had the proper skills, but we did not have the special training. She made a command decision to offer one of us the opportunity.
It was not mandatory; in fact if we turned it down she would completely understand as it was over and above typical therapy dog work. Sally and I talked it over and we decided that because of my military and police background I would be better equipped to handle this type of situation. I decided to take Jackson with me and Sally stayed behind to give Sweetheart a rest.
Dr LaFarge directed me to an area on the south side of the building. As I entered I observed 20 to 30 people, some standing some sitting in metal folding chairs. Everybody was clearly identified by tags they were wearing on their upper chest area. The atmosphere was subdued and solemn.
Jackson¿s first reaction to the stress filled room was one of panic. He whined and kept pulling towards the exit. At first I wasn¿t sure if Jackson could handle this kind of severe emotional stress.
Dogs are sensitive to people¿s emotions, especially stress. It¿s not psychic vibes they pick up or ESP, extra sensory perception. It is a combination of detecting certain odors (their scenting abilities are magnified thousands of times greater than a human), hearing changes in tones of voices, and reading body and facial language. (You may have met a person that says they have a phobia of dogs, and the dogs can sense that fear. The dogs do not ¿sense¿, as in ESP, fear, they SCENT as in smell the fear. When you are fearful, or stressed, your body chemistry changes, your facial and body language change, and the tone of your voice changes. This is what the dog is picking up or reading.)
Jackson was overloaded and somewhat confused about why he was in this room. Recognizing his stress, I laid him on the floor and started giving him heavy deep massage and T-Touch (Tellington Touch, developed by Linda Tellington), while talking to him in a soothing tone of voice.
In about 10 minutes he was totally relaxed, almost falling asleep. I got him up and he went directly over to three ladies (family) sitting in the front row. I asked if they would like to pet Jackson, they responded with big smiles, and excitedly said yes. Jackson responded as he usually does, rubbed against their legs, tail wagging; dispensing warm affections, and loving the attention.
Several more people entered the location. There were now 50 to 60 people, mostly Family members, some chaplains, and volunteers, in the room. I approached several family members at this point, all responded with smiles and gratitude. A representative of the Mayor¿s Office gave a briefing on what was to be expected and we were loaded onto the boat.
On the ride over, many of the family members appeared apprehensive. As I walked about the boat, I looked for people that showed an interest in Jackson. I would tell them all about Jackson and invite them to pet him. I would show them some of his cute tricks and ask them about pets they have had in the past. Within minutes they were relaxed and smiling. I could almost see the tension drain from their bodies.
After a 15-20 minute ride down the Hudson River, we arrived at a pier close to the site. As we exited the boat everyone was given a hardhat, eye protection, and a particulate respirator.
We assembled into a group and silently walked towards Ground Zero. We were guided to a large platform, made of bare wood, standing about 12 feet off the ground overlooking the rescue and salvage operations. The air was thick with the strong smell of burnt materials. Smoke was still rising from the ruins.
At first seeing the destruction my breath was taken away. It is totally inconceivable that 2 of the largest buildings in the world had been reduced to ash and ruble. It was unimaginable.
The family me
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