Welcome, Figaro: Mercy Home’s New Therapy Dog

September 30, 2025

Last year, Mercy Home mourned the passing of its beloved facility dog Pongo. Youth and coworkers alike can still fondly recall the comfort, motivation, and inspiration the golden retriever-labrador mix provided and the joy he spread throughout our halls. 

Today, the Mercy Home family is pleased to introduce our new furry friend who will carry on Pongo’s legacy of uplift. Please join us in welcoming our new therapy dog–Figaro.

The two-year-old black lab and golden retriever mix was recently adopted by Susan Hackney, who serves as clinical care director in our Community Care program. Like Pongo before him, Figaro was in training to become a facility dog through Canine Companions for Independence, a national nonprofit organization that has bred, raised, and expertly trained assistance dogs since 1975. 

Figaro was released from the program for minor behaviors like reacting to sounds. Through these issues disqualified Figaro from earning the classification of facility dog, his temperament and training still make him a perfect therapy dog for the kids and families Mercy Home serves.

Figaro and Hackney are currently in their bonding period, which lasts five to six months. During this period, Hackney will be familiarizing herself with the therapy dog program and she and Figaro will get to know each other.

Hackney will also have to pass a quiz on the therapy dog manual, meet with an evaluator/mentor with the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program to practice skills, attend virtual handler meetings, and the pair will ultimately complete a simulated visit with an evaluator before Figaro is an official therapy dog.

Once Figaro has gained his certification as a therapy dog, he will officially become a Mercy Home coworker. But before that happens, he will begin meeting our youth and coworkers, likely in October or November. He will also attend Community Care events.

“Right now, we’re trying to help Figaro get adjusted to his new life, routine, and being at Mercy Home,” Hackney said.

Once Figaro is fully ready to work, Hackney plans on bringing him to work at least once or twice a month to interact with our young people.

Figaro carries on Mercy Home’s tradition of incorporating animal-assisted interventions (AAIs), a widely accepted tool in mental health and therapy, especially for those who have experienced trauma. Dogs are the species most often employed in AAIs for trauma and promote feelings of calm and comfort in individuals suffering from trauma-induced anxiety.

Dogs used in therapeutic settings reduce feelings of loneliness and stress responses that children and adults can develop from living in threatening conditions. Interacting with animals has also been shown to facilitate social interactions, encourage mindfulness, and stimulate overall positive emotions. 

“The idea is that Figaro will be beneficial for both our staff and kids,” Hackney said. “We want our kids to have the opportunity to learn how to interact with dogs and have a good experience with a trusted dog.”

Though Figaro has big paws to fill, Hackney noted a special connection between him and his predecessor.

“I picked him up on the year anniversary of Pongo’s passing,” Hackney said. “It was a full circle moment … I think it was meant to be.”

We are all very excited to welcome Figaro to our family and to sharing more about his adventures at our home.