Hank

Hank was a true Southern gentleman, born in Virginia in 2010 and raised in North Carolina. He also lived in Tennessee and had family in Alabama and Mississippi. Hank sprinted through the dunes, splashed in the waves of the Atlantic, and canoed the sound in the Outer Banks. He hiked many a trail and ventured to waterfalls in Appalachia and the Cumberland. If there was water nearby, Hank could find it.

We moved to Colorado in 2013 where Hank loved backpacking, paddle-boarding, kayaking, hiking to lakes, biking, and even skiing. If there was an adventure to be had, Hank was there ready for it with a squeaky ball in his mouth.

In 2016, Hank found his calling as a therapy dog at Aspen Valley Hospital. There, he shared love and happiness with patients and co-workers alike. We lived next to the homeless day center where Hank would go scurry off to share his joy with them. Often, I would walk Hank around Aspen and people would come up to say hi to Hank, having never met me before. “Hank’s Mom” was my name.

When Thomas was sick, Hank would go to Valley View Hospital with him to get treatment. Hank became best friends with everyone there and used his therapy dog skills at their hospital too.

Hank began going to work at the Aspen Center for Physics in September 2016. His favorite time of the year was when the physicists and their families would arrive for the summer program. If Hank wasn’t lounging at the front desk, you would often find him swimming in the pond or traipsing through the ditches with the physicist’s children. By the time summer ended and everyone went home, campus was lonely for Hank because he didn’t have as many people to entertain.

More than once, someone arrived who was fearful of dogs and after getting to know Hank, they returned home with a new appreciation for animals. Hank broke down barriers and provided space for physicists and their families to play and find a peaceful moment. Whether they were missing their own dog or just needing some love, Hank was there ready to please. He also got his thrills from chasing the bears away from campus.

Drawing for Hank from Bianca

Hank was one of a few dogs when we moved into our neighborhood and when people decided to get a Covid dog, there must have been 10 poodle mix puppies who moved in that year. Hank had pranced around the neighborhood day after day showing everyone how special and full of love dogs can be.

Hank’s puppy energy slowed down when he was 10 and needed surgery on both of his knees. Our relationship evolved as Hank realized that Thomas and I would be there for him no matter what. His life slowed down but we still took him hiking and swimming in the river at his pace. Hank exuded love from every ounce of his body. Strangers would walk up to him just to say hi because he could not help but draw people in.

After 14 and a half years of goofiness, playfulness and pure love, we said goodbye to our greatest companion. The one who went everywhere with us and experienced everything that life had to offer.

Hank made the world a better place for other dogs to find loving homes and to fill our hearts with love and joy. May our working dog whose only job was to spread love, rest in peace.

Written by Amanda Jenkins

Edwin, Sophia, and Hank

Steinn giving Hank a back rub

Waiting for physicists to arrive in town

Hank and Thomas