Therapy Dogs Bring Comfort to Grieving Utah Campus

When Mike Carlson , CEO of Golden Healers, faced the prospect of lifesaving open-heart surgery but couldn’t afford it, the Utah community came to his aid. In just a matter of days, friends, neighbors, and supporters raised $45,000 to cover the procedure. Carlson underwent surgery on September 8, still recovering when devastating news struck Utah Valley University: political commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated in front of thousands.

The tragedy left the Orem campus shaken. For Carlson, who had just experienced the healing power of community, the moment carried a clear calling. “I knew at that moment that I needed to get better, get out of the hospital right away so that I could come down here and do our job that we do, which is to

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