WTC Victim’s Memory Honored by Red Cross

Written by Cindy Long, Managing Editor, RedCross.org

Photo courtesy of New York Daily News Janet King's Message: I am searching for the mother of "Matthew" who was lost at the WTC on 9/11. If you are the mother who had a long conversation with a dog therapy handler at the memorial service, the person who made a promise to you, please contact me. The wish has come true.

September 11, 2002 — People gathered well before dawn at Ground Zero and throughout the morning the crowd of mourners swelled as the doleful music of bagpipes filled the humid air. Inside the tight ring of security, families held up portraits of their lost loved ones while others clutched flowers or American flags. At 8:46, the moment the first plane struck the World Trade Center a year ago, silence fell over the thousands gathered, the warm wind the only sound other than muffled crying. Among those assembled stood Diane Horning whose son, Matthew Douglas Horning, worked on the 95th floor of the North Tower.

Standing beside her were Mario and Karen Canzoneri, whose Red Cross-registered therapy dog, Mattie, was named for Diane's son, Matthew. A fluffy Golden Retriever puppy with boundless energy and affection, Mattie and Diane formed a fast friendship that has helped her grieve and heal over the past painful year.

Mario and Karen first met Diane at the family memorial service held in October 2001. With the Canzoneri's were Jake and Jessie, two of about 30 trained therapy dogs helping comfort grieving people at the service. "When Diane saw Jake, she knelt down and started petting him," Karen said. "She told us her son died in the World Trade Center, and that he loved animals. She told us she was sure he was watching her pet this dog and that he was smiling. She told us if he were alive and saw her petting Jake that he'd beg her to let him take the dog home."

Diane Horning's Message:

I do not know if I am the right person. I do know that I spent much time petting and being consoled by those special dogs and their owners. My son Matthew was indeed killed at the World Trade Center on September 11. I don't remember the details of much that has occurred since that awful day. I do remember speaking with a wonderful couple who said their next dog would lovingly be named Matthew or Matt. Could that have been you? Whatever your intent, I am grateful for your loving concern and hope to hear from you.

Quietly, Karen told Diane that they were looking for a third dog. With tears in her eyes, she asked Diane if it would be okay if the Canzoneri's named their next dog Matthew, after her son. Diane burst into tears, sobbing as she nodded and said that it would be a privilege to have the memory of her son honored in such a way.

With hugs and tears, the women parted. Caught up in the emotions of the moment, they forgot to exchange phone numbers or addresses. "We had no way to get in touch with her," Mario said. "We took our story to the radio stations and the papers, hoping she'd be listening or would see our ad. But nothing happened."

The couple eventually got their third dog, a beautiful Golden Retriever donated to them by a reputable kennel in New Jersey. They named him Matthew.

After writing letters to every TV and radio station they could think of, a colleague in their dog therapy practice offered to help. Janet Kings found Diane on the New York Times Web site and posted a note on the site's message board established for families searching for information.

Janet's Next Message to Diane:

IT IS YOU! YOU are the mother of Matthew that was given that special promise. I did not name the promise in my note because I wanted to be sure whoever contacted me was truly the right one. You spoke with Karen and Mario Canzoneri at the memorial service. You spoke so lovingly of your son, and told them how he loved animals. Karen was so taken with you that she wanted to do something special... They were given a spectacular puppy who they call Mattie…And so a beautiful therapy dog will be groomed for service, honoring the name of your precious son, Matthew. Although I have never met you, I feel so honored to have been a part of this process of letting you know about the realization of a special promise that was made to you.

Diane received the message and she and the Canzoneri's were reunited. When she met Mattie she buried her sobs in his golden fur. From that day forward, Mattie has helped her cope with her seemingly insurmountable grief. The Canzoneri's have kept in touch with Diane and they have brought Mattie to visit her throughout the year.

"She sends Mattie gifts and treats in the mail, and talks about him all the time," Mario said. A couple of weeks ago, the Canzoneris and Mattie met Diane at 118 Prince Street for the "Here is New York" ceremony. Diane played and petted Mattie and lavished the dog with attention and smiles. After "Here is New York," they went to Ground Zero to the family viewing area, a spot Diane had visited many times before. This latest time, however, was different.

"As we were leaving, she told us that this was the first day in a year that she really had fun. And she said that it was the first day that she spent in the family viewing room without crying," Mario said. "We've watched her grieve and grow, evolve and heal over this past year, and we owe a large part of her coping ability to Mattie. We're honored to be able to take Mattie right down to the center of Ground Zero during the commemoration ceremony so he can support Diane once again."