Therapy Dogs and the Grace of God: A Q&A with Jennifer Bleakley

What inspired you to write Finding Grace?

I had recently finished writing Pawverbs for a Dog Lover’s Heart when my publisher asked if I would be interested in cowriting a book about therapy dogs. Having written 50 short stories about different ways people encounter God’s love through dogs, I was excited for an opportunity to dive deep into one story. And after meeting Larry and Susan Randolph and learning more about the Canines for Christ ministry they started in 2007, I knew I wanted to be a part of telling this powerful story. Finding Grace combines my love of dogs, my passion for showing how animals can point human hearts to Jesus, and my commitment to writing hope-filled, gospel-saturated stories.

Our theme this year is “challenges to humanity,” and one of those challenges is mental health. Why do you think therapy dogs have a positive impact on people struggling with physical, emotional, or mental challenges?

Unfortunately, there is still a lot of stigma and misunderstanding around mental health issues. As a result, those who are struggling with their mental health often feel like they can’t share their challenges with others. Or, if they do share, they are sometimes met with hurtful or dismissive responses, causing them to isolate even further. That is where therapy dogs can provide such a blessing and benefit. Therapy dogs don’t judge. They don’t say the wrong thing. They simply offer their presence—and a living, breathing picture of God’s loving-kindness.

Therapy dogs don’t care what we look like or how much money we have. They don’t make us feel like we have to smile and pretend everything is okay. And they aren’t bothered by our tears—or our lack thereof. Instead, they simply sit with us in the midst of our hurt, confusion, questions, and grief. They offer us a paw to hold, fur to burrow our faces into, and a kiss on our cheek—and it doesn’t hurt that they are really cute to look at.

Therapy dogs simply offer their presence, and in doing so point to God’s presence with us—his perfect presence that invites us to come as we are; that isn’t afraid of our emotions; that stays with us through the pain; and who sees us for who we truly are.

How can therapy dogs help people cope in times of tragedy?

A phrase Larry used over and over again while we were writing Finding Grace was that Canines for Christ is a ministry of presence. That phrase really jumped out at me because that was how I viewed my work as a grief counselor. Oftentimes, the most impactful thing a grief counselor can do is to simply sit with someone as they grieve. They don’t need to say anything or do anything. They just need to offer their presence and allow the hurting person to process their grief, without having to do so in isolation. This is where therapy dogs do an incredible job—and one of the many reasons I consider dogs to be one of God’s greatest gifts to us.

Therapy dogs boldly and unashamedly enter into people’s pain and offer their steady presence. They don’t offer platitudes; they don’t look away when we cry; they don’t become uncomfortable by emotional displays. They simply sit beside a hurting person and offer their presence.

Therapy dogs are also incredibly helpful in the aftermath of a tragedy—especially a tragedy involving someone hurting others—because therapy dogs are, well . . . dogs. Victims of violent crimes or acts of aggression sometimes find it hard to receive comfort or help from other people. Their traumatized brains can even see other people as potential threats. But a therapy dog can sit with them, steady them, and gain their trust, which can then open the door for the trained handler to offer further support.

One of the most powerful examples of God working through therapy dogs in times of tragedy was seen in how the Canines for Christ teams responded to the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas. Several teams headed for Uvalde the day after the mass shooting. Each one described feeling unqualified and overwhelmed by the task, but they went since they felt called to go. Every person I talked to said it felt like God was leading their dogs. The dogs stepped forward to receive a hug, extend a paw, catch tears with their fur. They brought smiles to tear-stained faces and sat still as trembling arms held them close. And as their dogs extended God’s love on paws, the handlers prayed for the hurting souls, and silently cried out to God for mercy and grace.

The teams attended every funeral, made themselves available at the memorials, and visited first responders. They continue their work there, even today, by taking their dogs into the schools and making themselves available. God has worked in such powerful and beautiful ways through those dogs and volunteers—even in the midst of such darkness and evil.

It is so clear that God has equipped therapy dogs to meet people where they are and offer his loving presence in a way that we can all learn from.

What has your experience with therapy dogs taught you about God and his goodness?

It is impossible for me to look at a therapy dog now and not see God’s kindness and goodness wrapped in a furry coat and walking on paws. I’ve always thought of animals as little ambassadors of God’s grace. After all, we are told many times in Scripture to look to the animals, to consider the animals, to watch the animals. So clearly, people have much to learn from animals. But, after working on Finding Grace, I see therapy dogs in particular as a beautiful picture of God’s presence with us—a presence I want to spend my life sharing with others.

About the Authors

• Jennifer Marshall Bleakley is the author of Joey, the Pawverbs devotional series, and Project Solomon. She holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling and worked for several years as a grief counselor before discovering her passion for writing. Jennifer’s latest books, Finding Grace (October 2023) and Pawverbs for Kids (September 2023), will release from Tyndale House Publishers
• Larry Randolph is the founder and president of Canines for Christ Therapy Dog Ministry. He served in the Coast Guard Reserves; is a graduate of the Billy Graham School of Evangelism and a Billy Graham Rapid Response Chaplain; and is a board-certified crisis response specialist. Larry’s latest book, Finding Grace, will release on October 17, 2023, from Tyndale House Publishers