Pat me twice and call your doctor in the morning

Lisa Billings/Chesterfield Observer Patient Zoa Evans visits with Walter, a 115-pound Rottweiler that's a Caring Canines gentle giant.

Research proves that it can lower your blood pressure and reduce anxiety. It speeds healing, promotes relaxation and enhances patient comfort. Is it a new wonder drug?

No. It's humankind's oldest friend.

Caring Canines is a group of dogs - big dogs, little dogs, mastiffs, Golden Retrievers, doodles, Corgis and others - who bring cheer and comfort to people in hospitals and nursing homes throughout central Virginia.

Like the medical professionals they assist, these dogs are highly trained. Each one is a graduate of the American Kennel Club's Good Citizen program. Then there's additional training from a group like Therapy Dogs, Inc. or the Delta Society. The end product is a dog that can brighten a sick or recovering person's day immeasurably.

At St. Francis Medical Center, three Caring Canines and their humans visit once a week. Because not everyone loves dogs, visits are made at the patient's discretion, says Deirdre "DeDe" Foerster, director of volunteer services at St. Francis.

Lisa Billings/Chesterfield Observer Lily, a Golden Retriever from Caring Canines, and her owner, Carol Anderson, provide companionship to Philip Pedlow during his hospital stay.

Aleta Shelton, volunteer executive director of Caring Canines, says, "Faces just light up when we walk in!"

Caring Canines have helped people make remarkable recoveries. Foerster tells the story of one patient whose arms were immobilized in a cast following surgery. Neither staff nor family members were able to coax the patient to move his arms and hands as his post-operative treatment plan required. A pet therapy dog had better luck. As soon as the dog was placed on the patient's bed, the patient tried to pet his furry visitor. It was the first time since his surgery that he had initiated movement in his arms.

Caring Canines do more than help patients.

"What we have found is that these visits provide stress relief not only for the patients but for the medical staff as well," says Foerster.

The dogs and their owners like to party from time to time. On Halloween one year, Shelton's three Corgis dressed as the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion. (Shelton was, of course, Dorothy.)

Foerster says, "Wednesdays have truly become fun and special at St. Francis because of our special canine volunteers."

In addition to its work at St. Francis, Caring Canines is also active at Morningside at Bellegrade in Midlothian. Last month, residents of the assisted living facility voted for their favorite costumed dog during the Third Annual Therapy Dog Halloween Costume Contest.

"It's always a huge hit!" says Shelton.

Think your dog has what it takes to be a therapy dog?

 

The process begins with a simple conversation with Deidre "DeDe" Foerster at St. Francis Medical Center. Foerster will put you in touch with the people who will decide whether or not your pet has the right stuff to become a therapy dog.

That's the easy part.

Foerster also must decide whether the dog's human can qualify as a Bon Secours volunteer.

Start the process by calling Foerster at 594.7806 or e-mail Deidre_Foerster@bshsi.org.