Remembering Bertha: A Tribute to A Very Special Therapy Dog

Last Friday, we said a sudden and heartbreaking goodbye to Bertha, our much-loved therapy dog.

Bertha was almost 10 years old and had worked alongside me for nine years. Many of you — adults,  young people, parents and your children — will remember her well. She greeted families with her ever-wagging “happy tail”, settled quietly at your feet or beside you on the sofa in the therapy room, and offered calm, affectionate, non-judgemental support in the way only dogs can.

Bertha was calm and playful in equal measure. She could high-five gently on request, cuddle close when a child was upset, play hide-and-seek with treats, and happily join us on ecotherapy walks. She always allowed children to approach her in their own way — to stroke her, sit beside her, or simply share the space with her — never demanding attention, always offering quiet reassurance.

Parents often told me how Bertha’s presence made it easier for their child to come to therapy, and to engage once they were here. She had a remarkable ability to help people feel safe and relaxed, often bringing a smile before any words were spoken.

Bertha’s death was sudden, caused by an aggressive cancer we had no idea was present. She was fine one moment and collapsed the next — something that can, heartbreakingly, happen with this illness. While the shock of this loss has been immense, we are comforted knowing she did not suffer a long illness and that she was deeply loved, and that we were able to be with her until the very end.

She has now been laid to rest in our garden, alongside my first therapy dog, Tilly — a place that feels peaceful, familiar, and right.

A gentle word about loss

Many people who knew Bertha will feel this loss in their own way. Grief doesn’t always arrive as tears — it can show up as quiet sadness, tiredness, or a sense of something missing. For children especially, the loss of a familiar, comforting presence can feel confusing.

There is no “right” way to grieve. What matters is knowing that these feelings are a natural response to love and connection, and that they soften with time and support.

For parents supporting children through loss, you may find some of the resources on our Brighter Futures for Kids blog helpful.  These include age-appropriate guidance and recommendations for helping children understand and cope with bereavement, including when loss feels sudden or difficult to explain.

You can explore these resources here. 

Looking ahead

Although Bertha’s physical presence is gone, her impact remains. She lives on through her five puppies — especially Betsy, who many of you already know. Betsy, now aged 5, will be gradually stepping into her own role, and animal-assisted therapy will continue to be offered for new and returning clients.

Bertha helped create a space that was calm, accepting, and safe. That remains at the heart of Brighter Futures.

Thank you for the kindness, understanding, and shared memories so many of you have already offered. Bertha was very special — and it has been a privilege to share her with you.

Warmest wishes