And it will be in our darkest hour that the true hero will emergeā¦ thatās not an actual quote from anywhere but it feels like it could be, right? It totally applies here, too, because my dearest CBers, we have our hero and her name is Loki. Dogtor Loki, that is. Three-year-old Loki is a Rottweiler who belongs to medical student Caroline Benzel from Baltimore, Maryland. When she noticed the stress that managing COVID was taking on her nurse friends, Caroline enlisted Loki, a therapy dog, to bring them kits filled with snacks, moisturizers for skin and lips and other self-care items. She called the kits āHero Healing Kitsā and had Loki dress in scrubs to deliver them. The results has been many awards for the good Dogtor, thousands of donations for Caroline and her kits and, most importantly, some very well-deserved love for those on the front lines of this horrible pandemic.
Last March, Caroline Benzel, a third-year medical student, began to notice the stress and discomfort her nurse friends were feeling from the pressures of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“[Personal protective equipment] can be really rough on the skin,” Benzel, 31, tells PEOPLE.
Benzel and her 3-year-old Rottweiler, Loki (who’s also a therapy dog) hatched a creative way to support their friends on the frontlines. She dressed up Loki in a lab coat and had the “Dogtor” deliver “hero healing kits” to nurses at their local University of Maryland Medical Center. The kits contain granola bars, moisturizers, lip balm, and other self-care items.
Volunteers in California, New Jersey, Minnesota, and five more states have raised close to $100,000 and delivered thousands of kits in recent months.
“Itās been such a positive experience during a tough time,’ says Benzel, who has raised $70,000 and delivered nearly 4,500 kits to date.
Dogtor Loki has earned her fair share of the credit as well, winning several awards including The Animal Medical Center of New Yorkās 2020 Top Dog Honoree and the American Kennel Clubās Paw of Courage award.
Benzel and Loki plan to deliver their hero healing kits for as long as the pandemic continues. “Itās totally worth it, I would go without sleep to make sure that these kits go out because itās I think itās important to show our healthcare workers support,” Benzel says.
People throughout the country have reached out to Benzel about how to train their own dogs as therapy dogs so they, too, can spread a little joy in their communities.
She adds: “Rottweilers are considered ‘big and scary,’ but Loki shows that anyone can be kind and make a difference.”
Scrolling through Lokiās Instagram yesterday was the respite I needed from, well *gestures to everything*. At first, I thought Loki loved herself a camera, but I think on some deeper level she knows we need these photos as much as those nurses need her kits. And itās not just the kits, although Iām sure they provide a much-needed distraction for the medical personnel who receive them. The few moments they get to spend with Loki are also valuable. A few hospitals have employed therapy dogs for health care workers in COVID units to try to manage the stress. If the photos are anything to go by, the good Dogtor is eating this up as much as her pawtients (too much?).
I lived with three Rotts in college. My roommate, who answered our ad for the empty room, bred them. Thatās one of those things that now you think, āwhat the hell? she had no business doing anything like that,ā but your 20-year-old, ignorant self thought, ‘oh, cool.’ This was when Rotts were popular because they were considered scary, guard dogs. I didnāt know much about them at all. I forgot my keys one day and hopped the back fence before I realized the unaltered, 70 lb male was outside, unattended and unleashed. I was petrified. Fortunately, Kinta recognized me before it was too late. I did adore all three (the other two were girls) and know now any issues they had were training issues. I havenāt seen the breed for years, but they are starting to pop up at the dog park and honestly, they are among the friendliest ones there. Iām glad people are taking the time with them now, they are great dogs, as Loki shows us. The article mentioned that people have inquired about training their dogs to be therapy dogs but doesnāt link that info. I found a few links from reputable sources, but I just did a Google search. If anyone has better information, please share it. Just think how nice it would be to have a Dogtor in the family?
Photo credit Instagram
What an amazing gesture! I just hope Dogtor Loki has some time for mischief, you know š
What a good and beautiful girl she is – look at her little face!!!! She’s loving all the love.
Congrats to her owner on the kit idea – its great and good luck to her on her studies.
I very nearly didn’t come here today (and I never miss a day) because I’ve realised I need a short break from the horrors but it’s lunchtime and habits are hard to break so I thought I’d take a quick look at the stories you’re posting. I’m so happy I came!!
What a wonderful gesture and it just goes to show the positive impact than individuals can make when they put their minds to it.
I cannot handle the cuteness! This is just what I needed this morning.
Thank you for this post, I needed it!
My old, cold heart just grew three sizes. What a good girl.
Iām most impressed that Dogtor (I really wanted to type that word) Loki is willing to wear scrubs. Thatās where my I my otherwise sweetest ever pups would draw the line.
Right!!?! My mini-poodle is giving me the side eye āDonāt even think about itā.
What I love most about this story is that the kindness is contagious. People are asking how their dogs can become therapy dogs. So many times stories like these stir action, and the impact is exponential. Yes, we all need the dopamine hit after living with the dumpster fire of current events, but if those good works, in turn, spur other good works, we are far better off.
Awwwww!!
I grew up with a Rottweiler, and at his heaviest, he was 166lbs. People would compare him to a horse. Best, smartest, most handsome boy in the world. And yes, I think a lot had to do with my dad training him so well and giving him so much exercise and attention. I love seeing any positive Rottweiler stories because they still have such a bad reputation. Thank you for highlighting this fantastic woman and the amazing dogtor!
Thanks for this! What a beautiful doggy, and such a great message.
Dogs will always win! Thanks Hecate, I appreciate your puppy posts so much. I need to know about the shenanigans but itās nice to have something to smile at.
Thanks for profiling Loki and her owner. A nice thing to see in the current news cycle. Therapy dogs are so great! Thanks for including info about the Rottweiler breed and therapy dog training also. A neighbor had a rottweiler and he was so sweet, a big lap dog.
This post has brightened my day! Thank you for doing this piece on Loki!