Bella

Hero with a Wagging Tail: Great Pyrenees/German Shepherd Bella Brings Joy to St. Ben’s Senior Center

At St. Ben’s Senior Center, nestled in the quiet heart of a Midwestern city, healing doesn't always come in the form of medicine or therapy sessions. Sometimes, it comes on four paws, with a wagging tail and warm brown eyes. Meet Bella, a remarkable Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix therapy dog whose impact on the residents of St. Ben’s goes far beyond the expected.

A Gentle Giant with a Healing Heart

Standing tall and noble, Bella is a large character with what could be an imposing figure, but to those who know her, she is anything but. With the protective instincts of a German Shepherd and the gentle, nurturing temperament of a Great Pyrenees, she has the perfect blend of strength and calm. But it’s not her size that captures people’s hearts, it’s her presence. 

Bella has a sixth sense for knowing who needs her, she’ll walk through a crowd and quietly sit beside someone who’s having a tough day, and set her head on their lap. She doesn’t just walk into a room… she changes its atmosphere. 

“You see the faces of residents light up when she enters. For some of them, especially those with dementia or mobility issues, she's the highlight of their week,” says Amie Schwinghammer, Bella’s guardian and handler, a former corrections officer who rescued and trained Bella in Texas while learning to be a dog trainer after losing her career to an injury.

A Star in Regal White Fur

Bella has become something of a local celebrity at St. Ben’s. She’s been featured in the St. Ben’s newsletters and was recently part of a video interview for a fundraising event to help raise donations to continue and enhance services for those at St. Ben’s, as well as to acknowledge and highlight the importance of their volunteers. But behind the attention is a humble dog whose goal remains simple: to bring peace and joy wherever she goes. 

In a place where loneliness and grief can be the realities, Bella provides comfort and restores dignity. She doesn’t do your typical dog tricks, she does something better…she listens, she loves, and when residents pet her thick coat or rest their hands on her broad back, they are reminded of a time when they were caregivers, pet owners, parents, people with purpose. 

More Than a Dog A Living Reminder of Unconditional Love

For the residents of St. Ben’s, Bella is more than a therapy animal she’s family. A tail-wagging, soulful-eyed reminder that love comes in many forms, and sometimes the purest form of healing is simply being seen, accepted, and accompanied.

Bella’s story is one of second chances and quiet miracles. From a rescue pup with uncertain beginnings to the beloved therapy dog of St. Ben’s, she represents the very best of what animal-assisted care can offer. In a world that sometimes forgets its elders, Bella never does. She sees them all, every wrinkle, every memory, every unspoken need, and she meets it with love.

At St. Ben’s, healing doesn’t always come in the form of medicine. Sometimes, it comes in the form of Bella—a big dog with a bigger heart, who reminds everyone she meets that they are seen, they are loved, and they are never alone.

Max

From Surrender to Salvation: How Max the Dog Changed a Veteran’s Life

Max’s story began with heartbreak. An energetic, gentle, and loyal dog, Max, was surrendered by a loving family who could no longer care for him. It was not a decision made lightly, he had been a beloved member of the family, but circumstances changed, and the family knew Max deserved more than they could give. They turned to Amie Schwinghammer, founder of Heroes K9 Academy (HK9OA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving second chances and training/educating veterans, first responders, and rescue dogs, hoping the right hands would guide Max to a new chapter.

That’s when Max’s journey took an unexpected turn, one that would ultimately save not just give his life purpose, but that of another. About 50 miles away, Kip, a military veteran, was fighting a different kind of battle. After serving his country, Kip returned home with invisible wounds. He carried the weight of his experiences, haunted nightly by relentless night terrors. For years, sleep evaded him, and peace was nothing more than a memory. Kip had found refuge at Eagles Healing Nest, a facility for veterans looking for help and healing, but he was still struggling to find his place in the world.

That’s when fate stepped in. Through collaborative efforts between Schwinghammer and Eagles Healing Nest, Max was paired with Kip. From the moment they met, something shifted. Max wasn’t just a dog; he was a calming presence, a reliable companion who offered Kip unconditional love, asking for nothing in return.

The transformation was remarkable. With Max by his side, Kip began to find purpose again. His nights, once overwhelmed by terrifying dreams, became peaceful. Max’s presence grounded him, helping his mind and body find rest. Slowly, Kip’s health improved, he smiled more, engaged with others, found a reason to get up each day, to go outside for walks, breathe fresh air and for the first time in years, he was able to sleep through the night.

What Max offered Kip wasn’t just comfort, it was a connection. In caring for Max, Kip began to care for himself. The routine of feeding, walking, and bonding with his new companion created structure, and the relationship filled a void that had long been empty.

Today, Kip and Max are inseparable. Their bond is a testament to the healing power of the connection between humans and animals. Max, once surrendered, found a new purpose in Kip’s life, and Kip, once lost in the aftermath of his service to the country, found a path to healing through Max’s steady companionship.

In a world that often overlooks the emotional needs of both veterans and animals in transition, their story is a reminder… sometimes, the right match can change two lives forever.