This story is part of a series highlighting seniors doing exceptional volunteer work in the community. The stories were part of a special print edition distributed throughout businesses in town.
Sheila Gordon just considers herself the driver for her therapy dog Kaz – all the magic comes from the dog named after kindness, acceptance and zen.
Gordon adopted Kaz when the dog was 3 years old in 2018. Kaz has been a blessing to her and to the community ever since, she said.
Kaz is missing her right front paw, but she can do anything other dogs can – she just looks a little different, Gordon said.
Kaz is a full-time volunteer in town and follows Gordon wherever she goes. She visits Homestead of Eudora every Thursday to hang out with residents. She also visits residents at Midland Care and Pioneer Ridge in Lawrence.
On Wednesday, she greets shoppers and other volunteers at the Eudora Food Pantry.
She joins Gordon at pickleball, senior exercise class and monthly Senior Foundation of Eudora meetings at the Rec Center.
Kaz hands out holiday cards and valentines to all her friends in the community, Gordon said. She even helps out at the Giving Garden.
She’s also known as the church dog at St. Paul United Church of Christ. Each week, she brings a message of peace and harmony, Gordon said.
“I’m just her Uber driver that gets her from one place to the next,” Gordon said.
Gordon is a retired elementary teacher, and it was always her plan to be a therapy dog owner after working in education.
“I just thought, what a great thing to help people and be able to work with the dog and do stuff that would benefit the community. It just sounded like a great way to retire and do something that would be fulfilling,” she said.
Gordon had Kaz certified as a therapy dog through Loving Paws in 2019. Before the pandemic, she used to visit schools, where they would do a presentation on acceptance to the kids.
Kids loved learning about Kaz’s story of being different and wanting to be accepted for who she is, Gordon said.
Even as Kaz only spends a minute or two with each of the people she meets, she makes a big difference to see everyone left with a smile, Gordon said.
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Kaz is drawn to people going through grief or other emotional times, and has been known to approach individuals in public who Gordon later learned were going through hard times.
She’s been bringing a smile to everyone around her since Gordon adopted her, she said.
