Keren the comfort dog boosts morale as classes begin

By RORY MOORE

Tiger Media Network

Keren the Comfort Dog visited Fort Hays State University Monday in the Memorial Union as part of a collaboration between Health and Wellness Services and the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Ministries. She stood by with her handlers, Mike and Linda Rust, to interact with students and relieve them of stress during the academic year, boosting their well-being as one of three visits to Hays.

Outside of visiting campus, Keren has a significant background, from being raised as a puppy to comforting people after traumatic incidents. 

“She was born and trained in Nebraska,” Mike Rust said. “Then she went to Chicago where she finished her training. When we picked her up, she had 2000 hours of training.”

Rust mentions that multiple people had to be trained in addition to preparing Keren for service.

“There were seven handlers who went up for training,” he said. “We went through training, came back to Ellsworth, and we had to pass the test they had to be a handler. If you didn’t pass, you weren’t a handler, so they’re pretty serious about it.” 

As a licensed therapy dog, Keren’s service to comfort people is not only been limited to stress relief but also to assisting in their recovery after personal or catastrophic tragedies. 

“She’s been to funerals, floods, fires and shootings,” Rust said. “She’s been from Chicago to Uvalde and then from Colorado to Missouri. She’s made an amazing difference in people’s lives. If she can get you in a better mood, you will feel better. You really can’t put that on a scale since she’s always just a friend.” 

Not only has Keren guided individuals through painful experiences, but she has also simply brightened their days with her presence.

“A lot of times, you never know if you make a difference in somebody’s life,” Rust said. “They walk away, and you don’t see them again. It might change that person, or it might help them through a day when they’re having a problem.”