One Family, Two Dogs, and a Whole Lot of Love
Written by Alan and April Presswood on October 14, 2025
Our 6-year-old son suffered a burn injury after his rocking chair hit the corner of a firepit, causing the firepit to spill its contents on him.
One of the most difficult parts of his healing journey came after we brought him home from the hospital: the frequent and painful dressing changes. At the same time, we had to make sure our daughter, who was nine at the time, also felt seen and supported as we were caring for our son's physical and emotional needs.
Our golden retriever, Lulu, was in the backyard when our son's accident happened. The trauma touched every member of our family, including Lulu. Since that day, she has become overly protective and emotionally attuned to our family. She's more sensitive to sounds and nonverbal cues and always wants to stay physically close. She is part of our survivor team.
Two and a half years after the accident, we decided to add another furry friend to our family. Our second golden retriever, Hona, has brought renewed laughter and energy into our lives. Hona has become a beautiful symbol of resilience and moving forward. The joy and healing power our two dogs have given to our family has helped us navigate the waves of a burn injury both emotionally and physically. They provide the entire family with consistent emotional support.
For families navigating burn recovery with pets at home, our advice is to lean into the healing power animals can offer. Their unconditional love, emotional intuition, and comforting presence are unmatched. Having a pet in the home of a burn survivor is truly a gift. Our dogs have brought light into some of our darkest moments, and we are so grateful for both of them as our family continues to heal."
