For more than a year, families served by Forest Meadows Funeral Home, Crematory & Cemeteries have found comfort in the gentle presence of Kota, our certified grief support dog.
Kota, a black Labrador and Weimaraner mix, is much more than a familiar face at our funeral homes and cemeteries — he is part of the Forest Meadows family. Wearing his signature American flag vest that reads, “Please Pet Me, I’m Friendly,” Kota quietly offers comfort and companionship to grieving families during difficult moments.
Both Kota and his owner completed professional training and certification to serve families through grief support. Known for his calm and affectionate personality, Kota has a remarkable ability to sense when someone needs comfort most. Despite his large size, he is incredibly gentle — patient enough for the owner’s nine grandchildren to crawl and climb all over him without concern.
One especially memorable moment involved a 94-year-old veteran attending a funeral service. The veteran was emotional and understandably overwhelmed. Kota calmly walked over, rested beside him, and gently placed his head near the man’s lap. The veteran hugged Kota and quietly said, “I feel like he really cares.” In that moment, Kota brought peace and reassurance when words alone could not.
Whether greeting guests at one of our funeral homes or quietly walking cemetery grounds, Kota continues to provide kindness, compassion, and comfort to countless families throughout our community.