Fluffy Florida Therapy Pup Rolls Up to Spread Holiday Cheer to Sick Kids with Wagon Full of Stuffies

[Left] Screenshot of Koda at hospital giving out stuffies of herself to sick kids; [Right] Koda in her holiday themed car, spreading cheer. Photo by Koda_the_fluff and Polksheriff | Instagram, UncoveringFlorida

​While the holidays are known as a time of joy and excitement for most, for some families, it can be a sensitive season filled with fear for their sick kids fighting for their lives in the hospital. One friendly little Florida Fluff, accompanied Polk County Sheriff's Office's Grady Judd, recently went to spread some cheer to these families in need by way of a wagon full of goodies.

In the video shared by Koda_The_Fluff and PolkSheriff on Instagram, with her sibling Pilot and Sheriff Grady Judd by her side, 10-year-old Koda the purebred Pomeranian popped into her little red Fur-rarri and followed along the hospital halls with her wagon full of stuffed versions of herself to give out to the children hospitalized at Lakeland Regional Health.

The video flips through clips of Koda clad in a pair of slick black sunglasses, smiling wide while Sheriff Judd drags a Red Rider Wagon full of stuffies behind her; they pop into each room together, handing off the stuffed animals to kids of all ages, colors, and abilities.

The children's faces are seen lit up like Christmas trees as they pet the pups and hug their new stuffies — which were donated from people all around the world via purchase from Koda the Fluff's official 'Fluffy Stuff' shop. One donor opted to purchase a $120 sealed collector's edition stuffy, and asked Judd to hand it out to a child of his choice, along with an unsealed one for playing and snuggling.
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"I hope to cheer them up," said Sheriff Grady Judd, "they've already cheered me up with the opportunity to be with Koda, Pilot, and the kids...It's totally exciting when you think about the people who donated so we can give these presents to children. And a wonderful lady said I want a collector's edition to go to a child in the hospital today; now that's an American."

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A post shared by KODA THE FLUFF (@koda_the_fluff)

​The video ends with a series of short clips featuring Judd, Koda, Pilot, and the Kids waving to the camera and wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, Koda scooting around in her car, Sheriff Judd cracking jokes with the kids, and hospital staff holding and petting Koda.
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Koda also visited Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach on December 18 with the Daytona Beach Police, delivering more than 100 presents to the children there as a part of the PD's second annual holiday toy drop.

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A post shared by KODA THE FLUFF (@koda_the_fluff)

According to Koda the Fluff's official website, this isn't the first time this little ball of fur has given back to her community in such ways.

Koda was born on December 8, 2014, and was first adopted from an Illinois-based breeder by her owner, Jena McKinstry, when she was only 6 months old before moving to Orlando. After learning her first trick of "stay" super well, Jena began to introduce Koda to an array of props and costumes, rewarding the floof with all the treats and attention. This eventually led up to Koda loving to ride around in her little red car, much to the joy of all she meets and greets around the world.

Koda's docile and friendly personality caught the attention of her owner, prompting McKinstry to enroll her in a program to get certified as a therapy dog through Beyond the Leash Pet Therapy â€” the main provider for pet therapy K-9s at Orlando Health locations and First-Responder departments across the Sunshine State. Shortly thereafter in 2021, Koda began doing her first therapy visits, all of which are 100% free.
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Koda's history of spreading joy as a certified therapy pup includes partnerships with local law enforcement agencies to promote driver's safety, visits to hospitals, schools, businesses and senior centers, pet therapy and random acts of kindness videos on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and TikTok, and last wish visits to late-stage cancer patients.

Koda is also the founder and first member of the nonprofit Smiles Fur Miles, Inc — a specialized pet therapy program where highly trained dogs visit the community to provide pet therapy services and promote positive mental health.

Dogs registered with Smile Fur Miles, Inc also participate in uplifting videos on social media and video calls to those in need of a smile around the globe. Videos include waves of random acts of kindness and what they call Big Heart Projects such as raising awareness for autism, progeria, human trafficking, and other important areas of wellness or education, as well as anti-bullying initiatives.

UncoveringFlorida reached out to Koda the Fluff and her owner Jena to learn more about their mission with Smiles Fur Miles, Inc and how the community could get involved, but did not immediately receive a response for comment. This article will be updated if or when a response is received.

To learn more about Koda the Fluff or donate to the Smiles Fur Miles, Inc cause, visit KodaTheFluff.com/smilesfurmiles.

Article by Rachael Volpe