BIO and Eulogy for Coco the German Shepherd Dog
Bio — Coco, German Shepherd Therapy Dog
Coco was a German Shepherd rescued as a puppy and trained into a gentle, confident therapy dog who became a familiar and beloved presence across North Broward County. Handled by Tom Savoca of Dog Training Does Matter, Coco was certified with a local therapy-dog organization in 2014 and spent more than a decade visiting schools, senior centers, hospitals, community events, and places where people needed comfort and calm. Her work included visits with first responders and appearances at community functions; Coco and Tom also volunteered with local CERT and faith-based therapy programs, offering steady, nonjudgmental support to people of all ages. Coco’s friendliness, tricks-for-the-kids, and steady temperament made her an ideal therapy dog and, over the years, she became the official therapy dog and mascot for the City of Margate, earning public recognition from city leaders for her service. tomsavoca.com dogtrainingdoesmatter.com
Eulogy — Remembering Coco
Today we remember Coco — not just as a remarkable German Shepherd, but as a healer, a friend, and a companion who gave herself freely to comfort others. Coco’s story began with rescue; she arrived as a three-month-old with a second chance at life, and that chance became a gift she gave back to the community every single day. Under Tom Savoca’s care, Coco learned to sit with a grieving student, to rest her head on the lap of a worried parent, and to stand patiently while a first responder said a quiet “thank you.” Those simple moments were the quiet work of a dog who understood, in her own way, how to make people feel human again. Facebook
Coco’s presence in the days and weeks after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy in Parkland is one example of that service. She and Tom joined other therapy teams to offer comfort where it was desperately needed — visiting school spaces, community centers, and responders — and helping people find a measure of peace amid pain. That work left a mark on many hearts and became part of why the community honored therapy dogs and their handlers in the months that followed. tomsavoca.com
Her role as Margate’s therapy dog and mascot was official in people’s hearts long before it appeared on any certificate. The City of Margate recognized Coco’s years of service with a formal tribute — a reflection of how many lives she touched: students who read to her, seniors who held her paw, families who felt calm in her presence, and event attendees who smiled because she did a trick or simply wagged a greeting. Coco helped make stressful moments softer and joyful moments even brighter. Margate Talk
For Tom, Coco was not only his partner in service but also a teacher. Watching Coco calmly perform therapy work taught many people — trainers, handlers, volunteers, and everyday citizens — how powerful a dog’s presence can be in healing. Her legacy continues in the people she helped and in the dogs and handlers who followed her example into schools, hospitals, churches, and community programs. Canvas Rebel
We mourn Coco’s passing, and we celebrate a life defined by compassion. To everyone who knew her, Coco was a gentle reminder that one animal can ripple comfort through an entire community. Thank you, Coco, for showing up, day after day, for the people who needed you. Your pawprints remain on our hearts and in the places you helped heal. tomsavoca.com