AUSTIN, Texas -- An Austin mortician and her funeral therapy dog are helping victims of the Parkland shooting.

"He continues to blow my mind every day," said Melissa Unfred.

Unfred's dog, Kermit, was the first funeral therapy dog in Texas. 

The two traveled to the Tampa area this week to help a friend cope with the recent loss of her husband. Days into their trip, Unfred heard the news of the high school mass shooting in Parkland. Seeing the day-to-day comfort Kermit gives to everyone he meets, Unfred knew she had to make that trip and let Kermit do what he does best. 

"I felt like being there and being active was the best gift that I had the opportunity to those that are hurting," said Unfred.

The two drove four hours to a Parkland community center Friday, paying their respects to victims before sitting in silence with survivors, their families and first responders.

"One of the girls that sat down with him had been sobbing. He leaned into her and just leaned into her chest and she put her arms around him and it was just a heartbreaking moment. Thinking about it kind of works me up a little bit. He's just awesome," Unfred said.

Unfred said the experience was eye-opening and solemn, offering a gift that sometimes another human can't give.

"There's not a lot you can say when something devastating has happened like that. It really was just about having a moment of calm and a moment of solace," Unfred said.

Unfred and Kermit are back in Tampa, where Kermit will be rewarded for all his hard work. Unfred said she will be taking Kermit to the beach as a reward for all his hard work.