Interview with Melanie

For many people, nothing quite compares to the comfort of petting and cuddling a friendly dog. That’s why Melanie Dunbar and Gus are such a great duo—they’re a certified dog-and-handler team trained to respond to natural disasters and human-caused crises. Two weeks after an elementary school shooting, the pair visited classrooms to help reestablish a sense of safety and security. And while the students loved Gus, what Melanie remembers is a teacher who sat down on the floor with him between classes. She was finally able to express all the emotions she had controlled while trying to be a source of strength for her students.