We’ve all heard stories or read about the kindness of dogs and their ability to love just like humans and sometimes more.
This story is about a teacup poodle named Nala who goes with her owner to work at a nursing house every day and who was dubbed an “angel sent from heaven” by the residents.
Nala has formal training in neither pet therapy nor elevator operations, but somehow has mastered both as she makes her rounds from room to room in the four-story nursing home.
Nala's owner Doug Dawson a trained medications assistant at Lyngblomsten nursing home, says that he brings Nala to work each morning and puts her on the elevator, and each goes his way.
"She'd rather ride it alone than with people, because she knows where she's going," Dawson said, adding that “if she could, she would push the button herself."
Lyngblomsten's elevator riding dog sets her own agenda, visiting residents who return her kindness by holding her in their laps and gently praising her.
According to Dawson, Nala also seems to sense when people are at life's end, since several people mentioned the recent passing of one of the residents and the way Nala remained by her side.
"She had died earlier in the morning, but Nala knew and went and sat with her," said Sandy Glomski, a Lyngblomsten staffer. "It was wonderful and we were all in tears."
Dawson says he's constantly amazed, by both Nala's compassion and her ability to navigate the nursing home's floors on her own.