Paws on the Ground: Farm Bureau’s Therapy Dogs

Did you know that Farm Bureau Financial Services has a fluffy, four-legged volunteer employees? Our Therapy Dog Program was introduced in 2018 and continues to grow. In the aftermath of tornadoes and other severe weather disasters, our therapy canines and members of our Catastrophe Response Team (CAT Team), are ready at a moment’s notice. While the CAT Team gets to work assessing property and processing claims, the response canines focus on providing emotional support. Our therapy dogs provide comfort and soothe client/members – especially kids – after a natural disaster strikes. You can also find these hardworking dogs spreading joy out in the community at local events and organizations. 

Meet Our Therapy Dog Teams

Penny and Angi: Iowa

Angi Schelich, Sales & Distribution Manager, and her pup Penny are the newest Iowa based therapy dog team. Penny is an almost 2-year-old Golden Retriever who loves people. She also enjoys walks, playing with her best fur friend, Charleigh, and anyone who will pet her! 

Goose and Kortnie: Kansas

Kortnie, Ag Marketing Underwriter, and her pup Goose are the newest Kansas based therapy dog team. Goose is a 3-year-old Golden Retriever with a big heart and a joyful spirit. He enjoys walks, car rides and playing with his favorite squeaky toys. Known for his ever-growing collection of bandanas, Goose brings both charm and comfort wherever he goes! He has a gentle disposition, loves meeting new people and never turns down a muddy puddle.

Luna and Rosio: South Dakota

Rosio serves as the South Dakota Business Center Director and has been with Farm Bureau for 15 years. Luna is a 6-year-old English White Labrador who was born in Manhattan, KS. Luna loves walks, playing fetch, food, treats (especially peanut butter), swimming and long car rides. She is a smart and easy-going pup who makes friends (human and canine) everywhere she goes! 

Murphy and Tracy: Iowa

Tracy is an Applications Engineer and has been with Farm Bureau for 28 years.

Murphy is a 3-year-old Shichon (Shih Tzu/Bichon Frise). Murphy regularly visits Methodist Hospital and Blank Children’s Hospital. When not doing his part to spread joy, he loves playing in the yard with his dog siblings, zooming around the house and snuggling. 

Murphy and Tracy enjoy camping together and hanging out with family.

Bentlee and Daykota: Iowa

Daykota is an Instructional Designer and has been with Farm Bureau for over 5 years. Bentlee Rose is an 8-year-old Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler mix. Daykota got Bentlee when Bentlee was just 6 weeks old. Bentlee and Daykota volunteer for the ARL TheraPets Program; they visit high schools that are experiencing stress and trauma, adult living homes and fundraising events. Both Daykota and Bentlee find it very rewarding to give back to others through therapy work. Some of Bentlee’s favorite things to do outside her work as a therapy dog include playing with bubbles, going for walks and playing frisbee with Daykota.

 Willow and Michele: Nebraska

Michele is a Claims Specialist and has been with Farm Bureau for 8 years. Willow is a 4-year-old Golden Retriever. Outside of their work at Farm Bureau, Michele and Willow volunteer with Domesti-Pups; they visit local nursing homes, memory care facilities, hospitals, universities and local organizations that request therapy visits for their employees. At home, Willow loves playing with her fur brother Axyl, going on walks and spending time doing anything involving water. She is very treat-motivated and so far hasn’t met a treat she doesn’t love! 

Mesa, Maverick and Maddie: South Dakota

Maddi Ryckman, an Ag Marketing Underwriter in South Dakota, and her dog Maverick, recently became a therapy team with Pet Partners. Maverick is a 2-year-old Black Labrador Retriever, who loves getting attention from anyone and everyone, especially in the coffee drive thru! Maverick’s sister, Mesa, is already a member of the Therapy Dog Team and he wanted to follow her pawprints. Maverick went through extensive obedience training as he is also a top-level hunting dog; therefore, he was a perfect candidate to be a therapy dog as well and the tests were a breeze!

Furry Friends Creating Paw-sitive Change

All seven of these teams are ready to help provide comfort to our client/members. They also have provided these downloadable coloring pages for a fun family activity!