BATTLE CREEK, Mich. - Soldiers may have spotted a furry new face around the Michigan Army National Guard— a four-legged addition already making an impact.
Penny, a small black Labrador, is no ordinary dog. Trained as a service animal through the Puppies Behind Bars program, Penny works alongside Chaplain Adam Lavigne from the 177th Military Police Brigade Unit Ministry Team, bringing comfort and companionship to Soldiers. Offering emotional support in moments of stress, anxiety or solitude, Penny helps service members find peace in challenging times.
“Penny’s job is to brighten peoples’ day, and she does it phenomenally,” said Lavigne. “She has a unique way of lifting spirits and changing the atmosphere wherever she goes.”
Military chaplains support Soldiers’ spiritual, emotional and mental well-being, serving as a bridge during challenging times. For Chaplain Lavigne, this mission took on a new dimension after seeing the profound impact therapy dogs had on fostering connection and resilience among Soldiers.
Lavigne first encountered the idea of therapy dogs through a friend who had introduced one into a military setting in 2014.
“I thought that having a dog would be a unique tool to connect with Soldiers,” Lavigne said. “The culture today has changed, and we need to try new ways to help address mental health issues and build resilience.”
Levigne asked his brigade commander if he would be open to the idea of a therapy dog for the Guard.
“He said, ‘Absolutely,’” Lavigne recalled.
Penny came to Lavigne through Green Haven Correctional Facility in New York, where inmates participate in Puppies Behind Bars, raising and training service dogs for military and first responders.
“The training lasted a couple of weeks, and I spent hours working with Penny in a maximum-security prison,” said Lavigne. “The puppy raisers taught us how to work with the dogs. Penny’s raiser is serving 20 years to life. The prison had no air conditioning and many other challenges, but it was rewarding to complete the training and return home.”
As a therapy dog, Penny has quickly become a beloved presence among Soldiers. She accompanies Lavigne to meetings, training exercises and events, adding a calming influence wherever she goes.
“One of Penny’s strengths is her ability to recognize when a Soldier needs extra support,” Lavigne said. “Sometimes, when someone’s had a rough day, she’ll curl up on their lap, offering them comfort in a way words can’t.”
Therapy dogs like Penny are especially beneficial for today’s generation of Soldiers, who often face mental health challenges and stresses.
“We’re seeing more Soldiers open up and seek help for stress and anxiety,” Lavigne shared. “This generation is more attuned to the importance of mental health, and therapy dogs offer a way to support them that feels approachable and safe.
“There’s something powerful about an animal’s non-judgmental presence. A dog like Penny can make it easier for Soldiers to let down their guard and just feel, even if it’s just for a few minutes.”
Penny has helped Lavigne connect with Soldiers from all backgrounds, regardless of their faith.
“Soldiers who might not usually stop by my office now come in just to see Penny,” he said. “She opens the door for important conversations, allowing Soldiers to talk about life and check in without feeling pressured.”