Behind the Best 2025 Best of the Fox Winners 10763 DEFIORE FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICE S ince opening the doors of DeFiore Funeral Home in Huntley, Funeral Director Carol DeFiore and her team have strived to provide warm, inviting atmosphere where people can feel comfortable at a difficult time. Their newest staff member takes that mission to heart with every wag of his tail. Lovey the trained comfort dog has joined the funeral home team to provide support to grieving families and staff too. The black labradoodle marked his second birthday in October and has truly become a part of the support team at DeFiore Funeral. "I've known for a while that I wanted to have a comfort dog," DeFiore explained. She worked with Ultimate Dog, who helped By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske certify and train the funeral home staff, who can serve as Lovey's handlers. "He's been a great addition to our staff and to the families we see. One hundred percent I have no regrets," DeFiore said. Though young, Lovey has a keen sense of individuals, understanding who needs his attention and who prefers to remain at a distance, DeFiore said. When Lovey enters a room, the atmosphere changes. He's trained to visit with people, setting his head on their lap. When he's at work, Lovey wears his vest. When the vest is off, he's able to cut loose and enjoy being a pup, chasing toys and day-napping. COMFORT DOG 10763 Dundee-Huntley Rd, Huntley, 60142 847-515-8772 Adding a comfort dog is one of the ways DeFiore has worked to meet families' needs. Since opening her business, she has welcomed all, accommodating different faiths, traditions and family wishes. "Every family is different. Every family needs something different," DeFiore said. Adding Lovey has also been a wonderful support to the DeFiore Funeral staff, who eagerly take turns taking the pup for his walks and spending time with him. "It gives us a little break to walk him during the day. It's been awesome for our team," DeFiore said. While her funeral business has always focused on humans, DeFiore said over the years she has received a number of inquiries from the community about providing services for their pets. It inspired her to pursue a second business to serve families saying good bye to their furry family members. Last year she received approval from Huntley Village officials and she plans to break ground in 2026 on a pet crematorium. "We are finding more and more families coming and asking about it," DeFiore said. "We see it as a need." With the second business DeFiore said she would offer crematory services for pets, and she hopes to also provide a veterinarian who can perform euthanasia services for pets in their homes, allowing a family to have a peaceful farewell to their beloved pet. "They are just a part of your family. Some people are closer to their pets than their human family," DeFiore said. Behind the Best 2025 Best of the Fox Winners 10763 DEFIORE FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICE S ince opening the doors of DeFiore Funeral Home in Huntley , Funeral Director Carol DeFiore and her team have strived to provide warm , inviting atmosphere where people can feel comfortable at a difficult time . Their newest staff member takes that mission to heart with every wag of his tail . Lovey the trained comfort dog has joined the funeral home team to provide support to grieving families and staff too . The black labradoodle marked his second birthday in October and has truly become a part of the support team at DeFiore Funeral . " I've known for a while that I wanted to have a comfort dog , " DeFiore explained . She worked with Ultimate Dog , who helped By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske certify and train the funeral home staff , who can serve as Lovey's handlers . " He's been a great addition to our staff and to the families we see . One hundred percent I have no regrets , " DeFiore said . Though young , Lovey has a keen sense of individuals , understanding who needs his attention and who prefers to remain at a distance , DeFiore said . When Lovey enters a room , the atmosphere changes . He's trained to visit with people , setting his head on their lap . When he's at work , Lovey wears his vest . When the vest is off , he's able to cut loose and enjoy being a pup , chasing toys and day - napping . COMFORT DOG 10763 Dundee - Huntley Rd , Huntley , 60142 847-515-8772 Adding a comfort dog is one of the ways DeFiore has worked to meet families ' needs . Since opening her business , she has welcomed all , accommodating different faiths , traditions and family wishes . " Every family is different . Every family needs something different , " DeFiore said . Adding Lovey has also been a wonderful support to the DeFiore Funeral staff , who eagerly take turns taking the pup for his walks and spending time with him . " It gives us a little break to walk him during the day . It's been awesome for our team , " DeFiore said . While her funeral business has always focused on humans , DeFiore said over the years she has received a number of inquiries from the community about providing services for their pets . It inspired her to pursue a second business to serve families saying good bye to their furry family members . Last year she received approval from Huntley Village officials and she plans to break ground in 2026 on a pet crematorium . " We are finding more and more families coming and asking about it , " DeFiore said . " We see it as a need . " With the second business DeFiore said she would offer crematory services for pets , and she hopes to also provide a veterinarian who can perform euthanasia services for pets in their homes , allowing a family to have a peaceful farewell to their beloved pet . " They are just a part of your family . Some people are closer to their pets than their human family , " DeFiore said .