Each month we thank an individual, business and/or organization who supports our efforts. This month will look a little different. We will recognize an animal, who was the heart of the Center. This month, we would like to give our special thanks, to “everyone’s” dog, Cora, also known as “Corita“.
Although Cora was the Director’s, Jen Ward’s, dog, Jen “lent” her to the Youth Center. Jen realized Cora, named after “corazón” the Spanish word for heart, that she was special from the start. Cora spent the entirety of her life bringing joy to not only Jen’s family and friends, but to the Milford Youth Center community. Cora was not only a personal companion but was also our Social Comfort dog. She was the heart of the Center, no doubt. In fact, the very first place that Jen brought Cora after rescuing her at 3 months old was to the Youth Center. On her very first visit, she scored a goal in the pre-renovated gym, which you can see in this video here, which made Jen realize how she would fit right into our MYC family.
After quickly realizing what an amazing temperament Cora had, Jen wrote a grant to have her officially be the MYC Social Comfort and Therapy dog, after the renovation. After receiving the grant, Cora began additional training with Infinite Pawz-ibilities in Bellingham. Jen, her trainer and a mother of one of our After School Members and now staff members, was great with Cora and her curious, excitable and sometimes stubborn personality. Training had to take a pause after Cora tore her second ACL on a hike (the kids all signed her cone) and due to COVID, but once she recovered and training was allowed to presume, Cora passed her AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program CGC Test!
A day in Cora’s life was one filled with many smiles, giggles, and treats. Jen would always say that Cora was just so excited to go to work every day! As she got older, Jen would lift her out of the back of her white jeep, with the famous image of Cora on the tire cover, a gift from Joanna, the Program Coordinator. Despite her many health issues over the last two years, she would be so happy and trot in the gym to Jen’s office, her second home. Of course, every morning started with a treat!
Her workday started with the staff coming in later and greeting her every morning. Jazzy, Joanna and Emily never ignored the opportunity to say good morning to our 4th full-time staff member. Next, the daily after-school food delivery would arrive from the amazing gentlemen with the Milford Food Service Department. Both Paulo and John would get huge smiles on their faces when they would hear Cora’s pitter patter as she made her way toward the office gate. She got to know Paulo’s voice, and she would bark with excitement when she heard him enter. She would often ride the elevator up and after the food was delivered, John and Paulo would give Cora pets and some treats, if she was feeling well enough! Then, our amazing mailman would come inside to visit her, even though our mailbox is right outside of the Center. He came in just to visit Cora, and he hand delivered her a treat.
Throughout the morning, she would also play with her many toys, most gifted by our custodian, who also adored her.
Weekly, the children in our MYC Kids Play group would run right over to her gate to sit and pet her, often ignoring their parents’ calls to rejoin the group. We also have two different adult special needs groups who come in weekly. Seven Hills ASPiRE, a day program that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, volunteers weekly, helping to prepare weekend grocery bags for our members. In addition, The Michael Lisnow Respite Center, which provides emotional and physical support for individuals with disabilities and their families, rents the facility out for physical activity and socialization. The first and last place both groups would visit was at the gate to see Cora. One member, John, who feared dogs for years, eventually always asked to see “cold nose” which he would call her, after growing comfortable. I think Cora grew to be a close second favorite, only after Emily, the Assistant Director, who he also asked for at each visit. Cora had this special intuition, and she was always extra careful with those more vulnerable. It was amazing to see how Cora could convert any non-dog lover, with her gentle and silly demeanor. Most importantly, Cora also helped with the stigma that dogs who look like her often unfairly have. Jen often said that she felt like Cora represented, in a way, what our mission represents here at the Center. No child or no dog, for that matter, should bear the burden or the feeling of being judged by their appearance, background or misrepresentation.
Cora was a staple for all our youth participants for the last 12+ years, including when we were at the temporary location during the renovation. During the after-school program, Cora was a part of programs occasionally, including having her trainer come in. Jen, her trainer, would show the youth some of Cora’s special tricks and basic safety with how to be around dogs. Cora would spin in circles on command and go through your legs, to make sure she completed the task asked of her, but also for treats, which she loved! Each year, we help families in need with a Holiday wish list and one year, a child even asked for “Cora”. In fact, a lot of people wanted to “steal” Cora over the years. Brian Bell, long time boxing instructor and volunteer, would visit Cora every Thursday afternoon before boxing would start, and referred to her as his “therapy dog” and he would probably be one of the first people we would consider if she went “missing” or maybe Jillian, Kallie, or one of the Bonvino sisters, and so on and so on, haha. During our Summer Camp programs, Jen could barely get work done, because of the frequent requests to come in and see Cora. That’s how much she was loved. She had an extraordinary gift of making everyone feel seen and loved. Everyone laughed when in a meeting with Jen in the office and Cora would come over and nudge their hands, wanting to be a part of the conversation. The children in the after-school program, the summer campers, the staff and volunteers always knew Cora was there if they needed a “time-out”, a quiet space, which Cora was always willing to share hers. Over the years, previous members or staff would often visit and would love to see Cora. They would introduce their kids to her or their own dogs. Cora lovedddd puppies. She was so gentle with them, and she was often the first dog that people had introduced to their fur babies. There were also those individuals would visit, like Carlos or Officer Lavigne would try to give extra treats, when Jen wasn’t looking.
Cora was also the unofficial mascot of the Youth Center, and she was always ready for photo opt. She would frequently be asked to be in photos with specials guests or when someone dropped off a donation. She joined us on outings like the Santa Parade, community events and even walked down our runway at the Fashion Show! Cora would greet any volunteer or special guest and was the highlight of any building tour we conducted. We would always say, the only thing dangerous with Cora was her tail. She would wag it so hard with just pure enjoyment and desire to be pet and to try to steal kisses. When Cora was not in training, she was the highlight of everyone’s day; if Cora was not ‘at work’ everyone noticed and everyone asked for her.
What we are trying to portray is that Cora, a sweet, gentle, loving friend to all will forever be missed, forever have made an impact, and will forever be in our hearts. It’s not the same here without you, we all miss you sweet girl. For video tribute, click here.
