Staffers at Rose Medical Center in Denver, Colorado had a bittersweet sendoff last Thursday for one of the most important members of their team.

Wynn is a service dog in training who was raised by Dr. Susan Ryan, and he spent the past few months comforting staffers at this hospital as they were on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Seeing stuff and hearing stuff that you can’t unsee has an impact on you,” said Ryan, who is an emergency physician at Rose Medical Center. “That’s where the dogs come in. When you are in the presence of the dog and petting them you are taking a moment to ground yourself at that present time.”

During the two years that Ryan raised Wynn, she knew that the dog would eventually have to go on to more advanced training as she moved forward in becoming a service dog. This past Thursday was the day that Wynn was scheduled for her “turn-in,” and staffers at the hospital decided to give the dog the sendoff that she deserved by throwing her a party. Some of them even made signs describing Wynn as a “hero.”

“We all witnessed a lot this year. We had incredible camaraderie, we were the best team I ever imagined being around, and she was part of our team — she saw us through,” Ryan explained. “People would just pet her and break out into a smile when it was just the hardest day.”

Wynn will now be trained at Canine Companions for Independence, where it will be decided what specific kind of service dog she’ll become. Ryan said that her future could be anything from helping a child with disabilities to assisting a veteran with PTSD. She could also end up being a facility dog at a venue like a courthouse, or even a hospital.

For Ryan, this moment is especially bittersweet, as she will never forget the dog who lifted her spirits during some of the most challenging moments of her life and career.

“It’s a proud moment, and it’s a sad moment,” said Ryan. “She taught me how to stay present in the worst year of our lives, and that’s a pretty big lesson.”