Therapy dogs provide comfort in Plum's Rustic Ridge neighborhood

Gloria Frick says everyone knows the power dogs can have on a person’s well-being.

On Thursday, Frick and other members of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs brought some four-legged comfort to Ridge Top Park in Plum’s Rustic Ridge neighborhood, where six people were killed in a home explosion Saturday.

Those killed were Borough Manager Michael Thomas, 57; Casey Clontz, 38; his son, Keegan, 12; Kevin Sebunia, 55; Heather Oravitz, 51; and her husband, Paul Oravitz, 56.

“We’re here to comfort and support the people. If they need a good dog to talk to or pet, that’s why we’re here,” said Beverly Long of New Kensington.

The Alliance of Therapy Dogs is a national organization that has a chapter in Western Pennsylvania.

Dogs that visited Thursday morning were Beau, a Newfoundland; Herbie, a corgi; Brandi, a golden retriever; Bella, a Frenchie; Rosie, an Irish wolfhound; and Beatrice, a Yo-chon.

“I sent out an urgent plea yesterday that we needed dogs here, and I got a great response,” Frick said.

Frick lives in Saxonburg but previously lived in Plum for 40 years.

“You still have your heart where it is,” she said.

For Frick, seeing people’s smiles while interacting with the dogs made it all worthwhile. Having dogs makes a “dramatic difference” after a traumatic event, she said.

“(The dogs) make a big difference wherever they go,” she said.