The Willow Fund was created in memory of one of our amazing Top Dog Therapy Dogs named Willow. She reached therapy success quickly at only 12 months old, passing all levels, and overcoming odds and obstacles. She provided love, attention and affection to patients in hospitals and nursing homes, as well as with kids from preschool age up to college age. Garrity Bungard on Willow: “Willow was not just a dog, she was an old soul. She loved making people smile and feel good. She knew when someone needed comfort and support.” Willow tragically passed away at a young age when she jumped out of her mom’s car and ran across the road, moving too fast for the man driving to be able to slow down. Garrity says Willow was her heart and soul, so she created this fund in her memory.

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This is a fund that the community can donate to through the Top Dog Therapy Team nonprofit to help support the life and work of Therapy Dogs like Willow. Sometimes, there are dogs that have the perfect temperament and working drive to become a Therapy Dog, but their parents do not have the financial means to complete initial or on-going training. In turn, our organization raises money through the Willow Fund and is able to help local families train and partner with their dogs to become working Therapy Dogs and give back to the community just as Willow did. In just this past year, the Top Dog Therapy Team was able to award $700 in grants to assist with Therapy Dog Training.