BRANDON, FLA — A Tampa Bay-area nonprofit spent the weekend in Surfside, bringing therapy dogs to visit the families missing their loved ones. Boricuas de Corazón Inc. is a disaster relief organization based in Brandon.
Linda Perez, president of the nonprofit, organized the trip that took eight dogs from across Florida to visit the site.
What You Need To Know
- Therapy dogs from Bay Area, Florida visit families in Surfside
- Eight dogs met with 93 families over 3 days
- Boricuas De Corazon Inc plans to go back this weekend with additional therapy dogs
Perez says the dogs met with 93 families during the three days they spent in Surfside. The trip was documented on the nonprofit's Facebook page.
“We need the dogs, emotional dogs. That at least alleviates the pain that the families are going to be receiving with any kind of news, good or bad," said Perez.
The dogs went to the hotel and family reunification center, along with the beach near the site of the collapse. They also met with first responders who have been working nonstop on search and rescue efforts.
Perez plans to bring Laiza back to Surfside this weekend to continue meeting with families. She shared how it helps people cope to have a therapy dog nearby as they wait for any information about their loved ones @BN9 pic.twitter.com/nCRdXhkrRq
— Jorja Roman (@JorjaRoman) June 29, 2021
Perez says while she was in Surfside, she saw everyone come together to help one another.
“I want to be part of that with my dogs," said Perez.
She's planning another trip to Surfside this weekend.
Boricuas de Corazón Inc is a disatser relief organization that relies on donations. If you would like to help their efforts, click here.