Meet the local therapy dog traveling to Georgia to comfort school shooting victims - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

ORLANDO, Fla. (WESH) — Her name is Macy and she spends her time comforting others.

The therapy dog and his handler, Bear Berman, are traveling to Georgia to help those who survived the deadly school shooting earlier this week.

“Our mission is strength through comfort,” Berman said.

Berman said Macy’s talent is opening lines of communication so he can work with people who may not realize how deeply they are affected by horrific events.

“Interacting with the dog will lower his blood pressure, lower his heart rate, lower his cortisol and increase his oxytocin, which will help bring out that emotion,” Berman said, “and he’ll be able to realize that we’re there for him, that we can help him find resources.”

Macy has helped people cope with the tragedy that followed some of the most heartbreaking mass shootings we’ve seen in recent memory. She’s 8 years old.

Berman and Macy are part of a group called Crisis Response Canines.

The duo lives in Orange County.