Rochester Woman Trains Therapy Dogs, 'Brings Comfort And Joy' To Others

ROCHESTER, MI — Every community has its bright spots — the neighbors, businesses and local favorites that make it feel like home. As 2025 comes to a close, Patch and T-Mobile are recognizing the people, places and moments that made this year brighter in Rochester through our Best of 2025 series.

This story was submitted by Diane Haig, who nominated Karen ONail. To share your own Best of 2025 nomination, click here to answer a few questions, and we’ll take it from there.

Who or what are you nominating for Best of 2025?

Karen ONail

How did this person, place or experience make a difference in your life or community this year?

Karen has a day job and works at least another 30 hours a week supporting and training therapy dogs in the group she founded.

What would you like everyone in town to know about your nominee?

She gives her heart and soul into Therapy Dogs teams and the community in general. She organized a pet food drive recently for food pantries and collected hundreds of pounds of pet food.

If you could tell them one thing, what would it be?

Thank you for providing a means through Therapy Dogs for people to bring comfort and joy to those in need.

We want to hear from you, too! Is there a restaurant, a contractor, a business, a person — even a place — that’s your pick for Best of 2025? Click here to answer a few questions, and your story could be featured on Patch.

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