ORANGE PARK – Sometimes solace come in the form of a 40-pound Goldendoodle.

When Wyatt lies flat on the floor, his great wooly head between two enormous paws, you could almost mistake him for a white shag carpet, his fur so thick it nearly covers his eyes.

Besides the occasional head tousels and sleepy upward gaze at his beloved owner, Wyatt is perfectly still, like a sleeping giant.

"Wyatt will lay down in front of one person, and they will ask me, 'How did he know? Can Wyatt pick out people who need him the most?’” said Wyatt owner Leland Taylor. "Dogs have a sense and pick on stuff like that."

Wyatt, who’s known as the Angel Dog, was certified as a Florida Therapy last year, Taylor said.

Wyatt and Taylor have volunteered nearly 500 hours at Haven-Custead Hospice Care Center in Orange Park since February. They visit the center every afternoon. The sight of Wyatt and the touch of his long shaggy white hair often bring peace and joy to patients. He often visits in the silver angel wings.

"The dog has been amazing. Lots of times patients are hanging on to something. We're not sure why or what's holding them back, so the dog will put his paws on the patient's bed and nuzzle their hand, giving them enough confidence to leave. It's happened many times," said the volunteer and training coordinator Sandra Francis. "They call him the Angel Dog.”

"Wyatt has been instrumental in helping some patients who were slow to transition, and this one particular patient, their best friend who had been at his bedside, told the family that the patient loved dogs," said Hospice Nurse Noni Harris. "Well, Wyatt came into the room this particular day. Her eyes opened just enough to see his paws on the bed. She had the biggest smile on her face, and then she died during his visit at her bedside. She passed away with Wyatt right there."

Of course, saying goodbye is never easy, but it's easier knowing they passed with a smile and love in their hearts.

"The family rejoiced. They were all so grateful, and they came to my desk afterward and said it was Wyatt that guided her to Heaven,” Harris said. “And there have been other patients that Leoland and Wyatt have also helped. Wyatt is just so angelic and gives such beauty in his sweet temperament; everyone loves to see him.”

For centuries, Dogs have provided comfort for the aggrieved. Many claim dogs can sense when death is near through body language cues, smells only they can detect, or in other ways not yet known.

"We all have a belief in something. I don't think you could do this job without it," Harris said.

Taylor, however, isn't convinced his dog has supernatural abilities.

"They were so thankful,” he said. “It could be coincidental, but the family fully believed that the dog pushed their family member over to the next stage. Maybe they're just looking for something to help them let go – I don't know. If it is coincidental, that's fine; as long as it helps the family members. That's why Wyatt and I are here.”

Dogs have been used to provide comfort not just in death but also in other difficult times.

"It's not just about his visiting with the patients and their families," Harris said. "He also helps the staff. It's a tough job. You have to deal with many heavy, difficult times for patients, which can weigh on us emotionally, too."

People are accepted into a hospice program if they are terminally ill and have less than six months to live. They are often placed in a hospital or nursing home, but some live at home. Hospice work provides a wonderful opportunity to share time with individuals in their final stages of life.

It's by no means an easy job, Harris said.

"It's challenging, both physically and emotionally,” she said. “You have to be able to support the patient and their families emotionally and help prepare them for their next step. It's not an easy one for anyone.

“When we have an outlet like Wyatt, it's just tremendous."

In addition to making home visits to patients, the delightful dog attends multidisciplinary team meetings held at healthcare agencies all around Clay County.

"He goes to the hospital. He goes to the school of the Deaf and Blind,” Taylor said. “We go to the Alzheimer's Center and Special Needs Schools. We even volunteer at the airport to help people calm down and relax during stressful connecting flights. Dogs really can do amazing things."

If you and your pet want to get involved, go to the Haven website, beyourhaven.org, to fill out an application or speak with the volunteer coordinator about other volunteer opportunities.