This page is in tribute to those CAP members and/or their dogs who have recently passed away. We are grateful to these therapy teams who gave so much to the lives that they touched during their time with CAP, whether visiting or serving as ambassadors of CAP’s mission at community events. Therapy dogs and their handlers are generous and nonjudgmental in the connections they make with those in need. We honor them for the time, effort and care they gave.
Loki Davidson
With heavy hearts we share the sad news that one of our canine team members, Loki Davidson, was taken away too soon. Loki only served as a CAP member for about a year, but he made a tremendous impact during that time. He brightened the day for everyone that he met and provided many people with love, cuddles, and most of all, comfort. Loki loved his work as a therapy dog and was always excited to “visit his friends”, and give some affection wherever he went. He will surely be missed by his family and all CAP teams who had the pleasure of working with him and his handler, Deb.
Annie Bardon
Barbara has a hard time putting into words how much she misses her beloved therapy partner, Annie, who was a wonderful companion and friend. Annie comforted and napped with both Barbara and her husband when they were recovering from surgery, as a good therapy dog does. She loved playing with her toys, catching her ball, and her favorite thing to do was going out to get a “pup cup”. Annie gave her family much happiness and laughter over the years and will always be in their hearts. CAP shares in the Bardon family’s sadness and will miss this lovely team who brought joy to Cape residents.
Reddy Stephens
Reddy spent 9 years of her life doing dog agility. She was a New England Regional Champion in the 8″ class. As a CAP therapy dog, Reddy loved to roll over in her stroller as an invitation to rub her tummy, and who could resist? Her big brown eyes were always a hit with those with whom she visited. Team Stephens will be sorely missed as valuable members among our CAP therapy teams.
Robin LaFleur
Along with her husband, Todd LaFleur, and her many friends and family, CAP mourns Robin’s passing. Robin LaFleur contributed to CAP in a myriad of ways as a long-time board member, two-term President, Evaluator, and Therapy Team member with her dog, Ziggy, with whom she is pictured with her husband, Todd.
Robin was a true dog mom. The LaFleur dogs: Bubba, Calvin, Tootsie, Ziggy, Killian, Rory, Winnie, and Jessie all had wonderful lives with Robin and Todd, who is also a long-time CAP member. Both LaFleurs saw their time with CAP as a mission to bring therapy dogs to people on the Cape who were in need of love, comfort, or a friend. Their therapy work brought them to schools, libraries, hospitals, and nursing homes where they would make the magic happen.
We celebrate the many years of dedication, competence, and warmth that Robin brought to the world, both as an honored former teacher (Nauset Teacher of the Year, 1992-1993), chef, gardener, dear friend, and beloved CAP member.
Donations in Robin’s memory can be made to The Companion Animal Program of Cape Cod companionanimalprogram.
Tucker Handren
Jeannie Handren was picked by Tucker to be his forever person. When Jeannie went to look at eight-week-old Australian Shepherd puppies, they were all adorable bundles of energy, but Ketchup (the breeder’s name for him) came running over to Jeannie and fell asleep in her lap. Tucker had chosen his teammate in therapy work and in life. Jeanie says that she loved Tucker from that moment, and he remained her shadow for the next fourteen years. Jeannie calls him her sweet boy and grieves the loss of her beloved Tucker who had recently retired from CAP. Tucker and Jeannie were frequent CAP visitors and were always welcomed by seniors and kids alike. We share Jeannie’s sadness at Tucker’s loss and thank Team Handren for their years of service to CAP and the residents of Cape Cod who were lucky enough to have had the pleasure of their company.
Roxi O’Brien
Roxi and her family moved to the Cape when Roxi was four years old. They first met long-time member, Janice Weiner, as she and her dog were coming out of the Sandwich Library where they had been visiting with other teams. Jan gave Carol a CAP pamphlet, thus beginning Roxi’s career as a therapy dog. Carol and Roxi enrolled in the very next class, and after successfully completing their evaluation, they had their orientation at Cape Heritage on December 18, 2013, with their mentor, Sheri Healy.
Over the years, Roxi and Carol visited Cape Heritage, Tradewinds VNA, Forestdale School, and 4 C’s during exam time where the students got some puppy love. Roxi had her 16th birthday last month, and sadly, has passed away. Roxi was a spunky, lovable therapy dog who will be missed. CAP is grateful to Roxi and Carol for their dedication to CAP and for brightening the lives of all those they visited.
Karen Carafoli
Though we miss Karen’s generous nature, her humor and indomitable spirit, we are grateful for all that she contributed to CAP and to the residents of Cape Cod whose lives she touched.
We thank Karen’s daughter, Amy Carafoli, for her contributions to this memorial.
Lauren and Daisy Johnson-Lavender
Casey Seifert
Casey was a young 14-year-old, her team member, Mary Jo, said. People were always surprised when they heard her age. She didn’t look it or act it! When Mary Jo thinks of Casey, she always thinks HAPPY. Her tail was always wagging, no matter what she was doing and that wagging tail was accompanied by a big smile. Her life involved daily three mile walks, swimming 2-3 times a week, and an average of 2 CAP visits weekly. Casey brought joy to her family, friends, and the countless new friends she made through her work with CAP. She was born with what seemed like a sixth sense when it came to the emotions of others and knowing who needed love. Mary Jo saw this demonstrated many times over the years.
Casey’s last day was spent doing what she loved. Casey and Mary Jo had their monthly visit to Forestdale Elementary School, where Casey received lots of hugs that were reciprocated with kisses. After that, Casey and Mary Jo walked their usual loop, which included going through downtown where everyone Casey knew greeted her.
Casey was a sweet, kind girl who will be missed by many. CAP members who had the opportunity to know Casey share in mourning her loss and are appreciative of all that Casey and Mary Jo contributed to CAP and to the many Cape Cod residents whose lives they touched.
Izzy Watts
Judy Watts, the human half of Izzy’s team, says that Izzy never acted her age until a month before her passing at 15+ years. Izzy started out in Rally-O and from there, she trained in Agility work. She was forever the imp, looking for new things to learn and people to meet. Izzy was a perfect therapy dog for 15 years who amazed Judy with her understanding of the needs of everyone she visited. When at a hospital or acute care facility, she seemed to know where comfort was required, and when invited, she’d lie down on a patient’s or resident’s bed in exactly the right place. Izzy allowed Judy to adorn her with silly hats that always helped make a connection and bring a smile to hard-to-reach residents. As Izzy and Judy got older, they got involved in performing AKC tricks, attaining Advanced level. Judy says that if you wanted to see pure joy, all you had to do was watch Izzy as she ran on Cape Cod beaches going as fast as her little legs would take her. Judy’s sweet pea, Izzy B! CAP joins with Judy in the hope that Izzy’s spirit now freely runs all the beaches and flies with the Osprey.
Ranger Soyt
Ranger Soyt’s owner, Tova, describes him as a sweet and energetic boy. He greeted everyone from the UPS driver to the grandchildren with boundless enthusiasm. His favorite things were running through the snow, belly rubs, and of course, peanut butter. Although he was only in the CAP program for less than a year, he brought joy to the residents with every visit. Tova and her family miss Ranger’s presence in their home. CAP wishes a fond farewell to Ranger and wish that he could have been with us longer.
Crystal Rogoff
Nancy Rogoff’s beautiful, loving, and precocious Golden, Crystal, passed the CAP evaluation when she was only four months old but had to wait till her first birthday to become part of a therapy team. Once onboard, nothing could stop her. Crystal visited with Nancy for 11 years. Nancy says that Crystal “is” her loyal companion of a lifetime. She calls her a Soul Dog whom her family was lucky enough to have with them for 14 years. Nancy and her canine companion went to many CAP events: Cape Cod Hospital, The Terraces, Latham School and libraries. Crystal was loyal and brave with a gentle disposition, a gift she left with her family and all whom she met. Rest in peace, dear Crystal. CAP thanks you for your kindness and dedicated service.