Essential workers during the pandemic are committed to helping community members by providing goods and services that are needed for everyday life.
Some of these essential workers come in canine form. Debbie and Ronnie Pack, Edgerton, are the proud humans of Stanley, a 5-year-old English bulldog who was born with a bilateral cleft lip, a curved spine and deformities in his back legs.
During the shutdown, Stanley went to the corner of the Pack’s street regularly and held a sign encouraging others to stay at home.
“He wanted to show them that we all must do our part in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus,” Debbie said. “We hoped people would see Stanley and realize their decision not only affected them but their neighbors, their communities and their pets.”
When the reopening began, Stanley started reaching out to the front-line workers and first-responders. “He gave them Paws Up Paw Prints to say thank you for all they are doing and to show his support,” Debbie said. ”The people that Stanley visited were so thankful that he came. A lot if them were weary and a toll had been taken by all the things that they were facing. Having Stanley there brought light back into their hearts and smiles to their faces.
“It was as if he brought comfort with him.”
Stanley recently got a letter from Gov. Mike Parson thanking him for his service throughout this time of uncertainty.
Stanley and the Pack’s family bond began when the Packs received a call to come and look at a dog named Oliver who was born deaf for possible adoption, but when they saw his 3-month-old brother, Stanley they decided to adopt them both.
“I thought it would be a great way to teach children about differences and acceptance,” Debbie said. ”Stanley, through each of his challenges, began to show children it was OK to be different. This was a message much needed in order to stop bullying and suicide among our youth.”
The Packs pursued the idea of Stanley becoming a therapy dog, but the test was not designed for animals with challenges.
“This setback actually was a blessing for him as we discovered that Stanley was needed in a much bigger area,” Debbie said.
Stanley helps the most vulnerable people in the community, the elderly, the disabled and the homeless and goes wherever he is needed. He is an honorary veteran and a Shop with a Cop participant for three police departments.
“He visits the young, the old, the hurting and the lonely, as each of these people need to know they are loved and accepted,” Debbie said. “His best qualities around each person is that he listens. He listens to their stories and he does not show judgment, just love. That is what makes Stanley so unique.”
Stanley became the ambassador to the Smile Train, which helps children in different countries receive free surgery on their cleft lips and palates.
He represents the American Childhood Cancer Organization for Missouri and helps comfort children who have cancer.
A state, local and congressional proclamation, plus 51 additional local proclamations have been passed in his name.
The Packs believe it is very important to have helping animals in the community right now since so many people are losing hope as the pandemic continues.
“They need that reassurance that only unconditional love can give,” Debbie said. “I see the impact that Stanley has on me and sharing it with others brings joy to my heart for I know this was his purpose, this was his plan in life, to use what he was given as tools to help others.”
Stanley loves his job and knows when his chair is put in the car it’s time to go to work. His special reward for all his hard work is half of a plain McDonald’s cheeseburger. “He lives for the big M,” Debbie said.
When not on duty he enjoys sleeping, drooling and eating.
But once he’s in the car he knows it’s time for what he does best. “Whether young or old he knows someone is waiting and he loves each one,” Debbie said.