For nearly a decade, Kate Clark and her English Springer Spaniel, Molly, have been part of the West Michigan Therapy Dogs family. What started as a recommendation from a trainer quickly became a meaningful part of Kate’s life — and eventually, her son Brycen’s as well.
When Molly was a puppy, Kate’s trainer noticed her sweet temperament, strong obedience skills, and the close bond the two shared. Therapy work seemed like a natural next step.
“My trainer introduced me to WMTD because she saw how much Molly and I enjoyed working together,” Kate shared. “She thought therapy work would be a great fit for us.”
Over the years, Brycen grew up watching his mom and Molly visit the community together. He listened to stories about the comfort and connection therapy dogs bring to others and eagerly waited until he was old enough to become involved himself. As a sophomore in high school, Brycen officially became a junior handler with WMTD.
Now, the mother-son duo shares something uniquely meaningful together.
(Brycen and Molly volunteering)
A Different Side of Brycen
Kate says it has been incredibly rewarding to watch her son step into the role of a therapy dog handler.
“It’s been a joy to be the parent of a junior handler,” she said. “Not often are you able to witness your child ‘in action’ in such a profound way.”
Brycen’s favorite visits include Grand Rapids Christian High School and the Michigan Veterans Home, where he has built memorable connections with residents and students alike.
“He interacts with his peers with a compassionate and caring heart,” Kate said. “He’s a big 200+ pound football player, so seeing that side of him is particularly special.”
Through therapy dog work, Kate has watched Brycen grow in confidence while strengthening his communication skills with adults and peers. His visits to the veterans home have especially left a lasting impact.
“He has always had a special place in his heart for the military,” Kate shared. “He’s come home with several moving stories from those visits.”
One visit in particular stands out to Brycen.
“I often visit the Michigan Veterans Home with my dog, Molly, and get to talk with the people who live there,” Brycen said. “On one particular visit, I began to talk with a veteran who had served in the Korean War. He shared his life story with me, and we bonded over our experiences playing high school football. It wasn’t long before, with tears in his eyes, he told me how grateful he was to have me there. This moment is what West Michigan Therapy Dogs is all about: bringing comfort to the people in our community.”
Strengthening Family Connections
For Kate, one of the most meaningful parts of the experience has been the opportunity to stay connected with her teenage son in a deeper way.
“As your teens grow, they naturally become more friend-oriented,” she said. “Sharing this experience together has afforded a very unique opportunity for a mother and son to connect in such a special way. I’m very grateful to have these moments with my teenage son.”
She encourages other families to consider the junior handler program for the same reason.
“Becoming a junior handler is highly recommended if you are seeking to connect with your child in a deep and meaningful way.”
Interested in Becoming a Junior Handler?
The junior handler program through West Michigan Therapy Dogs gives teens ages 16 and older the opportunity to make a real difference alongside a therapy dog team. From building confidence and communication skills to creating lasting connections in the community, the experience can be life-changing for both teens and their families.
If you have a teen — or know a young person — who may be interested in therapy dog work, consider learning more about volunteering with WMTD and becoming part of the next generation of therapy dog teams.
Check out our Become A Volunteer page to learn more!