'Charlotte's Litter' Foundation Honors 6-Year-Old Newtown Shooting Victim Who Loved Dogs

The foundation, set up in Charlotte Bacon's name, guides parents and educators to therapy dog programs in educational and societal settings

Charlotte Bacon lost her life at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.

Almost three years later, the 6-year-old’s passion for dogs lives on through a foundation called Charlotte’s Litter, which offers guidance to parents and educators about therapy dog programs in educational and societal settings.

In this new YouTube video, filmed at an awareness event for the foundation last month at a playground dedicated to Charlotte, the girl’s family talks about how much she would have loved Charlotte’s Litter — and all the dogs doing good work through it.

“After Charlotte died, it was really important for [my husband] Joel and I to find a way that we could continue to honor Charlotte and the things that she loved,” says Charlotte’s mother, Jo Anne Bacon. “She loved animals, particularly dogs.”

“Charlotte wanted to be a veterinarian when she was 4 years old,” adds her dad, Joel Bacon. “After the Sandy Hook tragedy occurred, we had many therapy dogs that came to visit us and to our son, Guy, his school and they made an incredible difference.”

With help from Newtown Kindness, a nonprofit which keeps Charlotte’s memory alive by fostering compassion in children, Charlotte’s Litter was born and the joy this September event — which featured live music and adorable canines to pet — brought to everyone there was palpable.

“Oh she would have loved this,” says Joel of his daughter. “Everything we do is all about honoring Charlotte and our way of showing our love for her and that we continue and will always be Charlotte’s parents.”

To help Charlotte’s Litter increase the positive impact of therapy dogs for children everywhere, click here to donate.