Therapy dogs visit stressed Congressional staffers
April 2, 2020
It’s a ruff time in politics.
An army of therapy dogs was on hand Wednesday to help stressed-out Capitol Hill lawmakers and staffers weary after a year of impeachment-related drama. Hundreds of journalists, policy wonks and politicians including Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) lined up to see the pooches as the first day of public impeachment hearings got underway. One frazzled Senate staffer was seen clinging to a Japanese Spitz, while a handsome Collie named Remy was only too happy to take Bustos’ mind off collusion and quid pro quo. Blue the Goldendoodle also wore a tie for the special occasion. The furry shrinks were all certified therapy dogs provided by therapy animal organization Pet Partners, which sponsored the event along with the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, The Hill Reported.
The dogs were on hand to “offer congressional staff a break from the stress of wrapping up an exceptionally busy year,” Pet Partners said in a statement.
“Who better to bring comfort and relief to the hardworking folks on Capitol Hill than a furry group of loving, intuitive, and bipartisan Pet Partners therapy animals?”
The dogs were stationed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hart Senate Office Building and the Rayburn House Office Building as members of the House Intelligence Committee and witnesses ducked it out in the Longworth House Office Building.
The science is still out on whether therapy dogs improve stress levels.
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