NILES, MICH. — A Niles funeral home has a new “employee” on staff to help families cope with their grief, and he is getting a lot of attention

He is hairy, requires several bathroom breaks a day and likes plenty of treats and belly rubs. Also, he is a golden retriever puppy.

Sir Winston Bailey Brown is only a few months old, but he has an important job: Be there for grieving families. Winston is Brown Family Funeral Home’s grief therapy dog in training.

Right now, Winston will be available for families while they plan or attend services.

“Typically a family gathers in early,” says Tim Brown, Winston’s owner and the owner of Brown Family Funeral Home. “They are the first here. We make him available during that time. He is quiet and off to the side. We don’t want to distract for why they are here.”

Winston’s job duties may expand in the future and Brown says Winston will be available to help throughout the community. But his purpose will remain the same no matter where he goes.

“Someone that would understand without having to say very much. Maybe lend his head or his ears where he could be there at a difficult, dark time for some people,” says Brown.

Source: WSBT