Carbon County’s Veterans Affairs director mentioned in passing that she’d love to have a therapy dog for her office, after seeing one interact with veterans at the Veterans Hub at St. Luke’s in Lehighton.

“The vets absolutely love the dog,” Christine LeClair said. “It’s just a nice break for everyone, and really de-escalates whatever is going on at the moment.”

She never put any more thought into her comment.

But someone did.

Enter Gunner Huey, the county’s therapy dog in training. The four-month-old chocolate Labrador retriever is already welcoming folks when they stop into the county office in Jim Thorpe.

Nathan Krajcirik, commander at the American Legion in Lansford, approached LeClair about a therapy dog for her office after Denise VanSickle at FireFly Farm Kennels in Franklin Twp. sent out letters.

VanSickle’s service dog, Holley, was having her last litter of puppies and she wanted them to go to veterans. She sent letters to veterans’ organizations willing to sponsor a dog.

The Lansford Legion was among them, and placing a therapy dog at the county veterans’ office was a good fit for their mission in the community helping veterans, Krajcirik said.

“The membership was 100% on board with this,” he said, adding that having the dog in the county office, at veterans’ events and at the Veterans Hub at St. Luke’s on North 12th Street will help many more veterans in the community.

Plus, LeClair serves as the Lansford Legion’s service officer and first vice commander.

LeClair was interested, but didn’t say yes, immediately. There were others to consider, namely her family, who would take on the responsibility of a new puppy and training, and then, of course, the county leadership.

“Of course, the kids have wanted a dog since they knew how to talk. So, that was a no-brainer,” she said of her children, Jack and Reagan. “Then, I asked the commissioners if we could have a dog in here, and they agreed.”

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich, an Army veteran, said therapy dogs provide numerous benefits for veterans’ mental and emotional well-being, including reducing feelings of isolation, anxiety and symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder.

“We are just so fortunate in Carbon to have a VA team that is in constant pursuit of providing additional services and an environment that is supportive to veterans, their families, and their well-being,” he said.

Commissioner Rocky Ahner now comes into the office, hoping to see Gunner on one of his training, or doggie boot camp, days, LeClair said.

People like to see a friendly dog, even if they’re not dog people, Ahner said.

“It’s a great thing. A friendly dog can break the ice with a bad situation. A dog can de-escalate a situation,” he said.

“Everyone is going to pet that dog,” Ahner said, showing his fast affection for the county’s new addition.

Petting is not only allowed, but encouraged with a therapy dog, LeClair said. Gunner’s red, white and blue “working” vest reads, “Yes, I’m friendly! Please pet me,” and “Therapy dog.”

LeClair explains that difference between therapy and service dogs to people when she takes him out in public, she said. Service dogs shouldn’t’ be petted, because they must stay focused on a specific task to help their person – that’s their job, whereas a therapy dog is all about other people.

Gunner is one of those friendly dogs, who loves people and attention, and is well suited as a therapy dog, VanSickle said.

“Gunner is going to be an amazing therapy dog,” she said.

VanSickle is training two other males, Murphy and Angelo, from the same litter as Gunner to be service dogs for a veterans, she said. Another littermate, Memphis, is training with his veteran owner in New York City.

Part of Gunner’s training is being exposed to different environments, people, smells and noises, LeClair said. In addition to the county office, he started going to the grocery store, the Legion in Lansford and events in the community.

“It’s just exposure to different types of people,” she said. “People with disabilities, wheelchairs, walkers, canes … even being in the store with carts, loud noises.”

Out in public, especially in a grocery store, LeClair said she feels like the Pied Piper, because children starting following them around.

“It’s good,” she said with a laugh. “It is fun teaching them the difference between therapy dogs and service dogs, and the different purposes they serve and what to look for on their vests.”

Gunner will test for his certification as a therapy dog once he’s at least one year old, and ready for his observation, VanSickle said. She will be working with LeClair to make sure he’s ready, she said. Gunner will also test for a Canine Good Citizen program, VanSickle said.

For now, he splits his time between training and being a puppy, including chewing up at least one pet bed while teething, LeClair said.

But he’s a quick learner, LeClair said.

Gunner knows to ring the bells hung on an outside door to let someone know he has to go out, and he is learning to sit and wait for his food bowl, and also to place, or sit in one spot, such as his bed, and wait to be released, she said.

“When he’s in here full time, we’ll ask people if they’re comfortable with him, and if so, we’ll let him out,” LeClair said about the office dynamic. “Otherwise, he’ll be in a crate.”

Gunner recently spent a full day in the office, including a visit in another county building, she said. He loved seeing the people and getting petted, but started to get tired.

“I think having the crate will be great, because he’ll have his own little space that he can go to when he needs to,” LeClair said.

And then, stand ready for service when a veteran needs him.