A local couple who lost seven co-workers between them during the Navy Yard shooting credit a dog adopted from the Washington Humane Society with helping them cope with the trauma.

Laura and David Van Dornick attended seven funerals in seven days after the shooting, which left 12 people dead one year ago today. WTOP has the story:

For the Van Dornicks, the difficult times finally took a turn more than three months after the shooting. It came in the form of a rescued dog that had been through some traumatic experiences of its own.

“In essence, we saved each other,” she says.

The couple learned the terrier, named Isis after the Egyptian goddess of nature and magic, had been having trouble at the Washington Humane Society. She had been so scared of other barking dogs, staff moved her to the office. Employees wondered if Isis could ever be adopted, because her nervous shaking was so severe.

“She had me at hello,” Laura Van Dornick said in a video produced by the Washington Humane Society. “We come home from work now and she’s our safe place. … Our lives have tremendously changed.”

Laura Van Dornick told the Washington Humane Society she “never understood from a therapeutic perspective the power of an animal.” While Isis initially was afraid of David Van Dornick, Laura told WTOP, her presence allowed him to sleep through the night for the first time in months.

Dog adoption fees have been lowered to $100 at both Washington Humane Society facilities through September 21.