Welcome to Medfield, Shadow!

Our newest resident, Shadow, Medfield's Grief Therapy Comfort Dog

Meet Shadow!

Shadow is a 9 month old golden retriever and he is the 5th generation of the Roberts Mitchell Caruso family . He is also their newest (and only canine) employee.

Shadow’s owner and trainer, Jennifer Caruso, welcomed Shadow to his new home in Medfield when he was only 8 weeks old. She and husband, Tom, searched for almost 2 years before settling on a breeder in Connecticut to find the right dog. Shadow was personality tested and he fit all the basic requirements needed become a Grief Therapy Comfort Dog.

When meeting both Jennifer and Shadow, it was noticeable to hear that Jen’s command voice was calm and soft. She used no harsh words and no hand commands. It takes patience to train a dog, but with 4 children, 2 other (pet) dogs, and some chickens, she has the endurance and tolerance to take on this new role.

When asked why they have chosen to add Shadow to the staff, they explained that their hope is to change the preconceived persona of funeral homes being intimidating or fearful places. With the inclusion of a comfort dog, they can make people feel more at ease and normalize the place in which to grieve. The Caruso’s want to make what is one of the most difficult days in a family’s life, less difficult.

Both Jen and Tom explained that funeral services have changed and evolved over the years. Unlike in the past when almost everyone attending a wake or funeral was an adult, nowadays many children attend and people of all ages spend more time at the funeral home during this time of loss and grief. With the presence of a comfort dog, like Shadow, calm and comfort can be afforded to the children as well as to the adults.

Both Jennifer and Tom grew up in Medfield and know the town and its people well. “We are a tight community and we want people to feel comfortable and lessen the stress during their time of grief. Our goal is to take the tension away,” said Jennifer. “We know that pets can have a calming and soothing affect on families and that is our intention here,” added Tom.

A Grief Therapy Comfort Dog can bring a sense of peace to those mourning. And when a comfort dog is present at the funeral home door to greet visitors , it helps to take away some of the uneasiness and angst. Dogs have the ability to decrease anxiety in people by increasing the serotonin and decreasing the dopamine in their brains. Studies have also shown that by petting an animal, blood pressure will lower and feelings of calm are achieved.

The Caruso’s are also very aware that some people are afraid of dogs and know that Shadow might not be part of every funeral service. But their goal, by adding Shadow to the workforce at Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home, is to expand on how they can be of more assistance to the families they are privileged to serve, and bring added comfort during a time of great loss.

Shadow’s current training is learning basic commands such as “sit” and “down” for extended amounts of time and getting used to the space in both the Medfield and the Millis funeral home locations. He currently is training at a facility in Norwood and will be attending a 2 week intensive training course in March. Training to be a Grief Therapy Comfort Dog at a funeral home is extensive and unique and Shadow won’t be fully trained and properly certified until he is approximately 2 years old.

Welcome to Medfield, Shadow!