By Lisa Carolin
Although Sasha’s religious affiliation might best be described as ecumenical, she enjoys her visits to Chelsea’s First Congregational Church, something she’s been doing since last summer.
The 8-year-old female tri-colored, 45-pound collie and her owner Susan Carpenter attend a service for special needs children and adults called Parables.
“It is a ‘no shush’ church service and the children are free to walk around play with their fidget toys or come and sit and hug and pet Sasha, which they love to do,” said Carpenter.
“Reverend LeAnn Seto asked me if I could get a backpack for Sasha and have her walk through the church during the offering so people could put their prayer requests and offerings in her backpack. Sasha was quick to learn this new skill and proudly walks through the church stopping when people line up to put their gifts into her backpack,” she said.
Carpenter said the loud organ music unnerved Sasha at first, but she’s gotten used to it now.
Sasha is the fifth therapy dog that Carpenter’s trained, and she’s been a volunteer with Therapaws of Michigan with her dogs for more than 20 years. Sasha began visiting people at the age of two, and together they are members of Therapaws’ Therapy Dogs at Work.
“Our first visit was to the University of Michigan Hospital where Sasha met a young man who was being pushed in a wheelchair through the lobby,” said Carpenter. “When she saw him, she gently pulled me towards him and placed her front paws on his lap.”
He didn’t react immediately, but when he did, he petted Sasha and smiled. The experience told Carpenter that Sasha was meant for her role as a therapy dog.
Sasha and family live just outside Chelsea along with her best friend Jaxxie, whom Carpenter describes as a “Lassie lookalike collie”.
In addition to the church, they visit community events, schools, and assisted living facilities.
