Caroline Benzel will never forget a touching experience she had at the University of Maryland. A few years back, her Rottweiler Loki fell ill and underwent surgery. She couldn’t afford to pay the veterinary bills and thought the worse for her beloved pet. With no hesitations, her amazing colleagues at the University extended help in paying all of the hospital bills. Now Caroline wants to pay back her thoughtful and selfless colleagues, with a little help from Loki, of course.
With difficulty brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Caroline decided she and Loki need to reach out to the medical staff of the University of Maryland Medical Center and give them the much-needed morale boost. With all the physical and emotional stress, Caroline wanted them to know that they are not alone in this fight.
They started volunteering as therapy partners early in December. They visit patients and medical staff and spread joy in the seemingly depressing hospital set up. Now with the coronavirus hitting the country, Caroline and Loki stepped up their game in spreading optimism to the people who once saved Loki’s life.
Caroline and Loki went ahead with their “Give A Smile” campaign by video calling medical personnel who needed a reason to laugh. Caroline knows how tiring a front liner’s day is, so she figured the adorable Loki could somehow de-stress these modern-day heroes.
Next, Caroline thought about how difficult it is for the medical staff to put on their PPE’s and how they endure how hot it is and how irritating it is to the skin. This knowledge prompted Caroline to prepare a care package she called “Hero Healing Kits.” These travel-sized kits contain lotion, Vaseline, snacks, chapstick, and coffee. The duo distributed these packages to all the hospital personnel, including the security, kitchen staff, and janitors.
In their unique way, Caroline and Loki continue to cheer on the hardworking medical personnel who, now more than ever, need the confidence boost. Caroline also appeals to people all over the country, to give a little time and effort to do the same in their local hospitals. This small act of compassion goes a long way, especially now in this pandemic, when we all need to take care of one another.
Credits: Good Morning America via YouTube
