Born: April 2, 2021 | Breed: Australian Labradoodle
Morris V. Prout is the official grief therapy dog and Director of Community Engagement at Prout Funeral Home. Specially trained and certified to work in funeral service, Morris brings comfort, calm, and a few tail wags to families experiencing loss. Whether he’s lying quietly by a guest’s feet or offering a soft snuggle during a difficult moment, Morris helps people feel more at ease just by being himself.
Born and raised in Indiana, Morris was selected for service work after passing temperament testing with flying colors (scoring a 196/200). He began his training with the expert team at Ultimate Canine, where he completed basic and advanced obedience before moving on to job-specific training for grief therapy. His work took him to nursing homes, schools, hospitals, hospices, and even a mentorship with another funeral therapy dog named Nero.
At just seven months old, Morris was ready for his big debut at the National Funeral Directors Association International Convention in Nashville, TN. After charming thousands of funeral professionals from around the country, he boarded a plane and headed home to his forever family in Verona, NJ.
Morris joined the Prout team in November 2021. He lives at home with the Prout family and comes to work daily at the funeral home, where he plays an important part in the grieving process. He may sit in on an arrangement conference, gently greet visitors at the door, or provide a soothing presence during services. His calming energy and comforting presence help ease stress, anxiety, and sadness for many of the families we serve.
Outside the funeral home, Morris has become a familiar face around town. As Director of Community Engagement, he regularly attends community events and volunteers across Verona. Some of his favorite recurring engagements include:
While Morris is unlicensed, and not qualified to embalm, make arrangements, or direct funerals, he’s exceptionally skilled at delivering comfort, joy, and paw-sitive energy wherever he goes.
Morris V. Prout’s top priority is being a source of comfort and calm to the families we serve at Prout Funeral Home. He’s a certified grief therapy dog with a lot of love to give, so it’s not surprising to find him out and about in Verona and the greater Essex County community, turning heads. His sweet nature has even made headlines:
