September 11 aftermath ...

What happened on Sept. 11th, 2001?
"For all people in the United States we were shocked to believe that anyone attacked us. Everyone was having a normal day on that day, but on Tuesday September 11th, 2001, terrorists took over four U.S. airplanes . . . two of them crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, one crashed into the Pentagon and the last crashed on land. All of that made the world shocked and mad." (Scott)

How were people affected?
Many lives were lost (thousands). People lost husbands, wives, kids, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, friends and more. Others suffered severe injuries. Public transportation was disrupted (planes, buses, trains, taxis). Many people lost their jobs and businesses. Some people even lost their homes. Fire and police workers were brave. Families were devastated. Families lost their breadwinners. Many people lost their jobs. Some may have had to go on welfare and unemployment. Economics in the surrounding area went down. (Judy Stein's class)

"All of the people were crying. People felt like their hearts were ripped out of them." (Melissa)

". . . the people were sad that they lost their dear loved ones, their friends too." (Christian)

". . . family and friends of the victims felt very sad." (Kristin)

How did rescue workers feel?
Rescue workers tried to do their best. They felt happy that they could help but sad because they couldn't save everyone, especially their co-workers. Rescue workers put up the American flag. Rescue workers were probably scared and nervous and also furious about what had happened. They were disappointed that people were dead and dying, and the fact they couldn't save more people. (Judy Stein's class)

How did Pet Therapy dogs help?
Animals were used to calm down the families and friends of victims. They also comforted people who witnessed the tragedy.

The American Red Cross set up a Family Assistance Center at Pier 94. Therapy Dogs were invited up to Pier 94 (Liberty State Park, NJ) to visit with the families, rescue and recovery workers. The families were sad and very confused. The animals made the people feel safe and not alone. (Stein's and Colan's classes)

What people did the dogs help and how did they make them feel better?
"Red Cross people, firemen, police, different people whose family and friends died in the incident. The dogs were probably very scared but they helped everybody feel a lot better. . . They snuggled up to the people and let them forget . . . they also lifted the peoples' and rescue workers' spirits and made them feel more at home." (Todd)

"When people started to lose their hope, pet (therapy) dogs gave their hope to them. For many, not just normal people, but firemen, police officers, and rescue groups who gave up for hope, had a new hope to look for." (Scott)

What did Greyhound Friends Inc. do at Pier 94, Liberty State Park NJ?
During a question and answer interview students had with Bill and Harriette Baker, they talked about how their greyhounds were invited to help at Pier 94. They described how the dogs helped comfort family and friends of victims, and also comfort and relieve the stress of rescue and recovery workers:

Dogs just walked around. Usually handlers allow therapy dogs to walk on a slack lead, but they were specifically asked to keep the dogs close to them unless someone asked to pet them and came over to them.

Security was extremely tight. Dog handlers were asked by police to provide ID for themselves and for the dogs. They were escorted to the area by three different police officers along the route to get into Pier 94. No photos were allowed. (note, all photos on this page were provided courtesy of Therapy Dogs International, Inc.)

The dogs were calm, brought love and compassion, and placed no demands. No words were necessary. Through smiles, tears, and sometimes words different people worked through some of their pain and sadness. It was also a welcome stress break for workers.