Therapy Dog visits

Our yellow Lab (Madi) and I have been a pet therapy team with St John Ambulance for almost 7 years visiting nursing homes, hospitals & schools. When we go to our local hospital, we always make a point to spend time in the palliative care section (although palliative care patients could be anywhere in the hospital, the is one section primarily dedicated to that level). The reaction and acceptance of our visits is amazing. Occasionally a person may be too ill, under quarantine or just not a dog lover but those who we are able to spend time with, truly perk up.

The therapy dogs emit an unconditional love that is soaked up but most people they meet. This is especially true for those folks in palliative. We don't punch a time clock so we spend as much time as they want. Patients get to feed Madi her treats (fresh fruit & veggies), pat her and talk to her. Whether we spend 2 minutes or 15 minutes, that is time when the patient's concern is directed away from their condition. While every visit is rewarding for us, some are especially so. Like the gentleman who saved his banana so he could give it to Madi, or the Lady who looked forward to every Tuesday morning when she would hear the pitter patter of Madi's feet coming down the hall or the gentleman who was in his very last stages and the family asked if Madi could lay down beside him on his bed. 

We have had a lot of joyous moments and some not so much. We have been asked to attend funeral services, visited with family members in the quiet room waiting for their loved one to pass. Often times the therapy dogs can sense the situation before a human can. Certainly pills and needles form a necessary part of medical care, palliative & regular care,  a lot of the medical staff are seeing the great benefit these dogs are in the health care field.