A Tribute to Liesl

The following photos and text were sent by Marilyn and Darrell (Bear) Hummer, who have coordinated the Fidos for Freedom monthly volunteer visits to Brooke Grove Retirement Village for many years.  This is the sad story of Liesl's passing but a great story of her life and work as a volunteer pet therapy dog. Our residents will miss Liesl and we are thankful that she touched many lives while at Brooke Grove.

Our thoughts are with Marilyn and Darrell at this sad time.

It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that Marilyn and I inform you that one of our wonderful therapy dogs has succumbed to cancer. “Gunnery Sergeant” Liesl was diagnosed with Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) on March 8, and passed away quietly on Friday, May 21. She fought like a good Marine through eight treatments with this insidious killer while, with the vet’s encouragement, still making her therapy visits on time and without complaint.

Liesl, with her twin sister Grete, served the community as therapy dogs for 12.5 years, almost 11 of which were in the Fidos For Freedom Therapy Dog Program. During that time, Liesl earned many awards and touched innumerable lives. She spent well over 1,000 hours visiting patients at hospitals and residents at nursing homes, mentoring children participating in the Dogs Educating and Assisting Readers (DEAR) program at local libraries, and attending numerous pet therapy information booths and education events. Her “crowning achievement” may well have been participation in the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) Therapy Dog Program, where she worked with countless Wounded Warriors and their families. The Marines “promoted” Liesl, along with Grete, to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps … a position at which she excelled. Modifying a Ronald Reagan quote: “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference”…  Liesl did not have that problem. Her legacy is vastly greater than that of many people who occupy this earth.

Liesl now has a new duty assignment. She is stationed at the Gates of Heaven to assist all of the Marines who guard them. Grete will carry on hopefully for years to come.

Semper Fi, Liesl … you were a magnificent therapy team partner who gave all of us much more than we could ever return!      Bear