Leo the Shaggy Dog
Please Note: The dog in the accompanying photograph is the subject of the story, but the child or teenager pictured is probably not the patient in the story.Leo, a 6 year old Bearded Collie, was given the nickname of Lug-Lug by his breeder, and it suits him to a T. He moves through the hospital corridors slowly, swaying his hips from side to side, doing the best darn impersonation of Eeyore (Pooh’s friend) that I’ve ever seen. He has a very quiet gentleness about him as we make our rounds, and he has a special ability, like all of our canine volunteers, to read the needs of the patients, their friends and family, and the hospital staff as well.
We had the pleasure of spending time with one patient who had been afraid of big dogs since she was a child. She heard about the pet therapy program at the hospital and was anxious to be transferred to the rehabilitation floor because she knew the dogs visited there. She felt it was time to face her fears. We were accompanied by Miles that day, a very handsome, sweet black Lab who was new to our program. When Leo and I walked into the room, Miles was already there. Amazingly, the woman had accepted gentle kisses from Miles not long after the two had met. With tears of joy rolling down her face, she was beside herself with happiness and pride for having overcome her fear. Leo was next on the bed, jumping up as if his legs were spring loaded. Her tears continued as she cuddled Leo. Looking at the two of them posing for the Polaroid picture, you would never have guessed she had an issue with dogs. She couldn’t wait to show her family the pictures with Miles and Leo and couldn’t wait to get home to make arrangements to have her very own big dog.
There have been many other visits that have been equally as touching. Leo’s breed is of Scottish ancestry, and it was at the end of our visit one Sunday afternoon that we met Ted, Leo’s pal and fellow Bearded Collie and his owner, Sandy. We decided to visit the last room together, and as we approached the door, I noticed the patient lying in her bed looking rather sad and staring at the ceiling. We knocked on the door gently, and when she caught sight of the dogs, the expression on her face immediately changed, as she eased her way up to a sitting position. She explained that she was from Scotland and that she was feeling sad because she had just found out that she wasn’t going to be able to go home that day as planned. Her accent was charming, and Sandy and I enjoyed the stories she shared about her youth. She fussed over the dogs while singing Scottish lullabies and reciting poems she had memorized so long ago. Sandy and I were both feeling pretty tired before reaching this kind lady’s room, but we had a difficult time pulling ourselves away. Ted and Leo posed for their pictures while sporting their tams and kilts, and this lovely Grandmother beamed as she smiled for the camera.
We volunteer to give our time and share our animals, hoping to bring a little bit of happiness to those who are going through a difficult time. So often, though, when we finish a visit, we realize that we are getting so much more in return. It could be a smile, a conversation, or even just a look that tells us that this animal assisted therapy work is something special. We hope to have the privilege of visiting for many years to come.
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