Dogs are known as man’s best friend. The relationship of a human with a dog holds a special bond. They have a way of expressing unconditional love, loyalty, and support to humans without even having to say a word.

Dogs serve as source stability within their dog owner’s lives. They are constant companions that do not provide judgment. These loyal canines stick by their owner’s side and ask for nothing in return besides maybe an occasional belly rub or treats.

There has been a direct correlation found in the physical and mental health of people after having a human-dog interaction. Dogs have been shown to be able to perceive the emotions of a human accurately. For these reasons, dogs have been trained for many years as therapy dogs. 

Dogs are the perfect therapy animal. They have an innate ability to provide love and a sense of comfort and security in stressful situations.

 The main goal of therapy dogs is to brighten the day of people they interact with. The therapy dog can go anywhere with its owner to provide a sense of well-being and safety. 

Therapy dogs are trained in various therapy situations. The main traits that therapy dogs execute range based on the context of their work and what is needed of the animal. Despite this, therapy dogs are often confident in personality, tolerant of animals and people, and are well behaved in public places.

The main breeds of dogs that tend to be best suited as therapy dogs include: Labrador Retriever, Labradoodle, Corgi, Poodle, Pug, French Bulldog, King Charles spaniel, and Bichon Frise.  

With these difficult and uncertain times during the pandemic, support is absolutely vital. Hospital workers are essential workers. They have been working copious amounts of hours on the frontlines against this virus.

They constantly are doing their jobs. They put their health and lives on the line in order to help others and the greater community. They are fighting the pandemic head-on.

While their work is extremely commendable, it can serve as cumbersome for the workers. Hospital workers have to work long shifts in their protective gear.

The protective gear has been shown to give bruises and hurt people’s ears. The work of hospital workers appears to be high stress due to the prolific amount of demand required.

Besides just physical labor involved in this role, hospital workers face an emotional burden and high levels of stress. Hospital workers need support in return during this time. For all that the hospital workers are giving, they need something in return.

Recently, therapy dogs have made their presence known during the pandemic. Therapy dogs have been directly helping hospital workers relieve their stress. This has been seen by therapy dogs either coming into hospitals, going on video chat, and using social media to help out.

 Therapy dogs have been extremely helpful in aiding the mental health of hospital workers in these three platforms. 

The first platform for therapy dog help is in person in hospitals. In the Denver medical centers, a yellow lab puppy named Wynn is available to see. Wynn waits in hospitals to be seen by hospital workers like clinicians, staff, and emergency responders. These hospital workers desperately need emotional support during this stressful pandemic which therapy dogs can provide.

Before going to see Wynn, hospital workers wash their hands thoroughly before seeing him. Hospital workers have reported receiving much joy from seeing the therapy dog. Further, there is a dog in Texas providing a similar source to a senior citizen center. Whether it is senior citizens or hospital workers, therapy dogs have been able to bring happiness in person in these stressful times for people.

The second platform for therapy dogs is an online video chat. A therapy dog company in Texas, called Divine Canines, has put its therapy dog service online. The online mode follows other various companies across the United States.

They have had to switch to an online method because of the uncertainty involved with the pandemic. This online measure is in place because hospitals and other healthcare facilities have restricted the number and types of visitors allowed.

Further, this online platform is also in place for a matter of convenience for people to access it due to the stay at home orders in place across the nation. People can set up appointments online to video chat with therapy dogs.

Additionally, there is also an option to receive a pre-recorded video of the therapy dogs. Many of these videos have been sent to hospital workers, patients, and immunocompromised people.

The videos, whether live or prerecorded, have contributed to shedding positivity within communities. In particular, it aims to use therapy dogs to provide hospital workers with some inspiration. 

The third platform for therapy dogs is social media. A famous therapy dog, named Loki, has taken social media by storm. Loki and his owner are based in Maryland and used to go to the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore three times a week.

Since the pandemic started, Loki and his owner have followed the stay at home orders, but their presence in the community is still prominent. Therapy dog Loki’s social media has been used to ask for donations in “hero healing kits”. The kits are for hospital workers. They consist of skin lotion, tea, baby powder, chapstick, chewing gum, and moisturizer. Loki’s owner has used Facebook and Instagram to promote the kits.

Further, the owner has an Amazon wish list where items can be found to buy for the kits for the hospital workers. The social media has been successful, as there have been over 1,400 kits donated with 200 more in the works. Currently, the kits have been donated to four hospitals in the Baltimore area This idea has even spread beyond Baltimore.

Places in New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and other areas of Maryland have started to make the kits as well. Besides the kits, Loki has been able to act as a therapy dog for hospital workers.

Loki uses FaceTime to connect with hospital workers to provide virtual stress relief. Therapy dog Loki’s contributions have helped hospital workers as well as inspire communities to help out and take action.

As seen through the three mentioned examples, interacting with therapy dogs can be life-changing. They can help anyone significantly improve their mental health.

Benefits like comfort, a decrease of anxiety, lifting spirit are plentiful in therapy dog patients. Further, they provide physical benefits too. Research has shown a reduction in blood pressure, lowering of physical pain, better cardiac health has been found in therapy dog patients.

There have been findings of improving recovery time and longer motivation to work more in patients when therapy dogs were present.

They also have a strong presence in literacy, as there is a program called PAWS for Reading. This program has therapy dogs present to help students read. Findings including improved literacy skills, better focus, and an increase in self-confidence have been tied to this program. 

 These mental and physical benefits of therapy dogs have been the perfect reason to provide their services to hospital workers during this time. Oftentimes, people might take advantage of all of the work that hospital workers do. It is very easy during a pandemic where everything is so uncertain and stressful to lose sight of how impactful essential workers are.

Hospital workers need to feel comfort and help just like they are giving out to so many people. Therapy dogs have been a great and positive outlet for hospital workers’ mental health. Even for a short amount of time, therapy dogs have provided relief and comfort to hospital workers.

Dogs really are man’s best friend. Their presence is a calming force that cannot be described. For this reason, therapy dogs are absolutely essential to help hospital workers right now. 

While most of the world is shut down due to Covid-19,  essential workers continue to go to work in hopes to alleviate further drawbacks.  

Jennifer Amador, Medical Assistant at University Hospital, said that her job is scary right now because of the rapid amount of people catching the virus. Despite being scared, Amador enjoys what she does, because she loves helping people get better.

Amador said she was not worried about the virus until two patients came in at the same time with Covid-19 symptoms. 

“My heart instantly dropped, and the first thing I thought of was the health of my children,” said Amador. “My fear quickly disappeared after I saw the pain on my patients’ faces.”

Covid-19, previously known as coronavirus is a disease spread between animals and humans that can cause a common cold, or worse.

Due to the severity of the disease, special laws have been implemented to maintain the safety of citizens. These laws include A six-foot rule, stating that everyone should stay six feet apart. Special curfews were also put into play. Citizens are advised not to leave homes unless it is essential. This is all in an effort to help stop the spread of the virus. 

Frontline workers are people whose jobs are considered essential. This includes healthcare worker groceries stores and bus drivers.

However, stores have started to limit the number of products customers can purchase due to overstocking. With most stores being sold out of cleaning supplies and face masks, registered nurse Maribel Perez said she had to think outside the box. Perez said that she started to make her own face masks out of old clothing and a sewing machine. 

Perez’s facemasks are now available at the entrance of her job in Hackensack New Jersey, for people to take as they please. The masks are free and disinfected before being displayed to the public.

“When I went to medical school to become an RN, I knew what I was signing up for,” said Perez. “My only concern right now is keeping all my patients safe, healthy, and educated on Covid-19.”

Emily VanHorn, state tested nursing assistant, said the hardest part for her is turning away resident’s family members who come to visit. 

Due to Covid-19, a majority of nursing homes have implemented a new rule that states no visitors are allowed in until this pandemic is under control, to prevent any more cases.

 VanHorn said her biggest concern is the safety of her residents, seeing as they are within the age group at risk. 

“Most of my residents are used to seeing their family members every day. It breaks my heart that they are not able to anymore,” said VanHorn. “I make sure that I interact with everyone as much as possible, to try and fill the void.”

VanHorn said that most family members break down in tears and ask we give a message to their loved ones.

However, there are also essential workers outside of the medical field that are going to work daily.

Store Clerk Idalyz Ruiz said she goes into work daily with a smile and a bright attitude, in hopes that it spreads to her customers. 

“I know my job at Walmart isn’t as important as doctors, but I am trying to do my part to help ease this pandemic as much as possible,” said Ruiz. “I enjoy going to work and brightening up people’s days by being outgoing and friendly because it might encourage them to do the same.”

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The Coronavirus is happening to everyone across the world. Everyone’s daily lives are being altered by the virus.

Throughout the world, people remain on lockdowns or stay at home orders. Borders, schools, restaurants, and many businesses are closed. Economies are shutting down.

Unemployment rates are high. People are fearful of their own and their loved ones’ health. Healthcare and essential workers are working copious amounts of hours to keep our society and world afloat.

This time can be scary and unsettling for many people because the degree of uncertainty apparent is foreign to us. 

With the prolific amount of uncertainty, people can find commonalities. We are all humans living and trying to just keep hanging in there through these times.

People around the world have united to support and help one another. Despite the different statuses that people hold, people have found ways to connect and help. 

People who are strangers to one another have reached out a helping hand to communities. There have been many uplifting stories that have emerged that emphasize the goodness in this world despite the current circumstances. 

The Coronavirus has proven that solidarity, generosity, and helping out are contagious forces that bind humans together.

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1. Boy Scout 3-D Printed Earguards for Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers are heroes. They have been working countless hours and long shifts to help treat people during this pandemic. Healthcare workers have to wear protective gear like masks, gloves, and gowns to keep themselves protected from the contagious virus. 

People around the world now have also been advised to wear masks in public as a safety measure. As a result, masks have been a liability due to their demand.

Healthcare workers spend their whole days wearing masks. After a result, they end up their days with facial bruises or cuts on their ears due to the pressure of the protective gear.

A Canadian 13-year-old boy scout decided that he wanted to help health workers. He designed ear guards that could be made with his 3-d printer.

The guard connects to the masks of healthcare workers. The guard elevates the masks so that it does not touch healthcare workers’ ears, therefore alleviating cuts. This boy scout has made 1,300 ear guards that he has donated to local healthcare workers. 

His mother made a post on social media that went viral. This post contained what the boy scout was doing and gave access to anyone on how to make and replicate these guards. After this viral attention, an additional 2,000 guards were made and donated to Canadian hospitals for healthcare workers to wear. Healthcare workers have expressed gratitude for this boy scout giving back to them generously.

2. High Schooler Makes Coronavirus Tracking Website

There has been a copious amount of news about the Coronavirus on every platform possible. Oftentimes, this serves as overwhelming to a majority of people.

How do people know which articles to look at? What sources are the most credible and least biased? What are the real statistics and updates of the pandemic? Is the information accurate? 

A seventeen-year-old recognized these concerns and decided to make a website. The website, Ncov2019.live, aims to track and update viewers on Coronavirus news. The site is coded as a place to put all of the Coronavirus information together in an accessible and accurate way.

First, it tracks data from various sources. These sources include the World Health Organization, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and health departments in one’s geographic location.

Second, the site aims to avoid misinformation. It updates automatically every ten minutes on facts including confirmed cases, deaths, people recovered, and countries where Coronavirus is confirmed. This site has been viewed by millions of people.

The seventeen-year-old often works six hours a day on his site and has been commended on all of his work. He has given back to the community by giving people consistent and up to date information.

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3. Tyler Perry Pays For Seniors’ Groceries

Senior citizens and people who are immunocompromised are at a higher risk of contracting the Coronavirus. Many grocery stores have recognized the danger and they have implemented an hour where only seniors can shop before the store opens to the public.  

Tyler Perry took it upon himself to pay for the groceries of seniors in Atlanta and New Orleans. He paid for groceries at 44 Krogers and 29 Winn-Dixie overall in these two locations. Atlanta and New Orleans hold significance to the actor’s life.

He both started his career and grew up in the locations Atlanta and New Orleans respectively. 

It was reported that Perry also contributed $21,000 in tips to out of work servers in Atlanta. Many people have tweeted about Perry’s gracious contribution. They have expressed a copious amount of gratitude for his generosity of giving back to themselves, family members, and their respective communities.

4. Teacher in the UK Walks 5 Miles to Deliver Students Free Meals

The Coronavirus has significantly highlighted the inequalities apparent within the food system in place. Many families are struggling to feed themselves and in particular their children. 

Many children depend on free lunches or meal plans in schools to have their meals. Additionally, many food banks are having difficulty balancing their supply with the demand of people who need food. 

Food banks only have so much food and right now fewer people are donating due to financial constraints. Further, more people are demanding food besides people who already had been doing so due to cut hours of employment and more family financial obligations. 

A teacher in the UK has recognized this dilemma. To ensure that his students get their meals, he walks five miles a day to deliver free meals at their homes. The students come from low-income with minimal resources. They would go hungry without the support of the teacher.

Many of the parents of these students are essential workers who are out of the house for many hours. Delivering the meals meant that these children were granted daily with proper nutrition and that they were able to stay inside. Additionally, the teacher was able to check on these students’ wellbeing from afar to maintain social distancing measures. 

This teacher stressed the importance of taking care of all children even if they are not physically at school. His actions highlighted the importance of ensuring child safety for students of various upbringings. This teacher gave back to his students in a way that ensured proper health and safety recommendations.

5. Anonymous Donor Donates Gift Cards to All Citizens of Iowan Town

Smaller towns in the United States have been having trouble fueling their local economies. These towns only have so many jobs that are essential due to the lack of shops. In one of the small Iowa towns, an anonymous donor decided to donate gift cards to all 549 residents in this town. 

In this specific town, there is one grocery store and two food places. The anonymous donor divided evenly the amount of money in gift cards between the three stores. 

The goal of this was to help fuel the local economy, precisely by contributing $82,350  spent amongst the 1,647 gift cards distributed. Each household received $150 in gift cards with a note saying that it was not a scam. 

The note also said if the household did not want the cards they could call the city hall to pass them along to others in need. The gift cards fostered a sense of giving back because 50 families gave them back for families more in need.

The gift cards inspired the citizens of this town to make a difference and help their community. They expressed extreme gratitude for the anonymous donor as well.

Good news during the pandemic is contagious but often overlooked. Often, the media tends to focus on the negatives of the pandemic. Of course, the severity of this pandemic is not one to be downplayed. Life as we know it is halted right now and people are falling ill. However, it is also imperative to recognize that there are still positives happening frequently in the world around us today. 

This helps unifies us and reminds us that there is, in fact, a light at the end of the tunnel. It is extremely uplifting and inspiring to hear how people can largely impact the lives of strangers. It is also important to note that these people did these acts just out of the goodness of their hearts. 

With the uncertainty of the Coronavirus, it is important to take care of oneself, others, and communities. I challenge all of you here to do something that makes you feel good and to do something generous.

So what are you waiting for? How can YOU make a difference TODAY? How will you give back? Look around and you will see that there is a lot you can do.