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Therapy Dog

At the 2018 Pascale's Pals auction, Reid Millard, owner, won a bid on a labradoodle puppy. Reid knew that this puppy would grow to have a major purpose in his funeral home. He wanted to train this pup to provide comfort to grieving families. Little did he know that his future therapy dog would serve an even greater purpose. 
 
On March 15, 2018, Elizabeth "Lizzy" Joy Wampler passed away at the age of 10 after a long battle with cancer. This courageous little girl touched the lives on many during her short time on Earth as she aired on the NBC Today Show, multiple St. Jude's commercials ad was featured in 3,500 Chili's restaurants nationwide. The incredible life of Lizzy Wampler was honored March 18, 2018, at Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory where the Celebration of Life was held. 
 
Around the same time of Lizzy's passing the labradoodle pup was born. It was a girl! Reid Millard and Funeral Director Nick McKague decided to reach out to Lizzy Wampler's parents, John and Jennifer Wampler, to allow them to name the puppy in honor of their daughter. After a family discussion, John, Jennifer and their two children decided "Lizzy" was the perfect name for this puppy. 
 
On May 29, 2018, Lizzy the dog was just old enough to begin training at K9 Comfort in Bellevue, IA. While there, Lizzy practiced obedience in her training sessions and applied the skills on a regular basis when visiting nursing homes, schools, stores and restaurants. After 12 months of training, she passed her Therapy Dog test and became a registered Therapy Dog in June of 2019. 
 
Lizzy now lives with her caretaker, Jeff Hilke, Funeral Director, and German Shepherd brother Ollie. She is brought to work at the Jefferson City funeral home, Houser-Millard, on a daily basis. At the funeral home, she welcomes pets from visiting families. She especially enjoys attention from our young visitors! Her duty is to provide a calming comfort throughout the process of planning and attending a funeral service. She also travels to our other locations (by request) as well as different functions or local events.
 
If you stop by Houser-Millard Funeral Directors in Jefferson City, be sure to look for Lizzy! 

 

Parker-Millard Funeral Service and Crematory
Phone: (573) 449-4153
12 East Ash Street
Columbia, MO 65203

Houser-Millard Funeral Directors
Phone: (573) 636-3838
2613 West Main Street
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Millard Family Cremation and Funeral Center
Phone: (573) 392-3351
902 East North Street
Eldon, MO 65026

Hilke-Millard Funeral Home
Phone: (573) 455-2424
101 Linn Street
Westphalia, MO 65085

Millard Family Funeral Chapel
Phone: (573) 897-4848
919 East Main Street
Linn, MO 65051

Millard Family Chapels
Phone: (573) 763-5658
102 Market Street
Chamois, MO 65024

Slater-Millard Family Funeral Chapel
Phone: (573) 896-5959
540 South Summit Drive
Holts Summit, MO 65043

Hawthorn Memorial Gardens
Phone: (573) 635-4594
4205 Horner Road 
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Weber-Millard Funeral Home
Phone: (573) 782-3525
13415 Route C
Russellville, MO 65074

Nilson-Millard Cremation and Burial Center
Phone: (573) 474-8443
5611 E. St Charles Road
Columbia, MO , 65202

Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel
Phone: (660) 263-7284
411 Union Avenue
Moberly, MO 65270


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