Interview: JoAnn Bacon
Every now and then we share interviews with inspiring women who have turned passion into a successful venture. Today, we're talking with JoAnn Bacon, a mother who found inspiration in a very personal tragedy. If she were still alive, Charlotte Bacon would be celebrating her 10th birthday today. Instead, Charlotte’s life was brutally taken when she was just six years old during the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre in Newtown, CT. Her family was left to pick up the pieces and, in doing so, found the most solace in celebrating Charlotte and the things she loved. Her greatest love was dogs. Charlotte’s passion for dogs coupled with the powerful effect therapy dogs had on Joel and JoAnn Bacon’s surviving child, Guy, when he returned to school after the shooting inspired the Bacons to create the non-profit organization Charlotte’s Litter, which advocates for and supports therapy dog programs in educational and societal settings by connecting resources and experienced people. As the organization has grown, the Bacons’ goal is to get therapy dogs into ALL schools to assist not only with emotional support, but also literacy (dogs make the best listeners, after all). Accompanying the organization are two books: Good Dogs, Great Listeners: The Tale of Charlotte, Lily, and the Litter, by award-winning author Renata Bowers with the Bacons, is an absolutely beautiful children’s book depicting Charlotte’s love for animals and their fun adventures together. The Dogs of Newtown, written and compiled by Guy Bacon, introduces the world to the comfort dogs that came to Newtown, CT after the shooting in 2012 and made all the difference. The Bacons would give anything to be celebrating their daughter’s tenth birthday with her instead of for her, but they are determined to honor Charlotte and work to turn their hurt into hope for others. 
Who was Charlotte and why it it so important to honor her?
Charlotte is a much loved and missed daughter and sister. Honoring, protecting, and sharing Charlotte's story has been part of our grief process. It allows us still parent her and feel close to her although she no longer walks beside us.
What was your family’s experience with therapy dogs following the Sandy Hook tragedy?
Therapy dogs had a huge impact on our son when he returned to school in January 2013. The dogs were a daily presence for the rest of the school year. They helped our son re integrate at school, provide a calming atmosphere during a highly traumatic time, they helped our son feel safer, and they were confidants without words.
What inspired you to create Charlotte’s Litter and to author two books?
Charlotte's Litter was inspired by both of our children. Charlotte was an avid dog lover and wanted to be a "doggy doctor" when she grew up. Guy's personal experience with the therapy dogs after Charlotte's left was incredibly beneficial. We feel that this program honors what Charlotte loved and what Guy experienced. Each book is personal to each of our children. Good Dogs, Great Listeners was written so we could share Charlotte and how she lived. A lot of care went into details like her clothing, her bedroom, her language, and all are authentically Charlotte. The Dogs of Newtown is written by Guy as way to pay tribute to the dogs that helped him so much. He also wanted to bring awareness to therapy dogs.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Therapy dogs are in high demand. As awareness builds, there has been more demand than supply. We encourage anyone who thinks they would like to volunteer with their dog as a therapy dog team to consider having them tested and registered by a national organization like Pet Partners, Good Dog Foundation, Therapy Dogs International, Inter Mountain Therapy Dogs, Bright and Beautiful to name just a few.