Moses Mann
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.Moses Mann is a beautiful liver and white English Springer Spaniel that I adopted 4 years ago from English Springer Spaniel Rescue. I think he is now 9 or 10 years old. He was unloved and neglected when he was rescued, but with lots of love, good food, and good doctors, he has blossomed into a cherished member of my family. He shares his life with Cody, an almost 2 year old Golden Retriever/Cocker Spaniel mix and Velvetine, a rescue rabbit.
Moses started his therapy work at Childrens Hospital about 2 years ago. I had always wanted to be involved with LOVE ON 4 PAWS, but I never had a dog with the right temperament to fulfill their requirements. After I had Moses for 2 years, I thought, “maybe he’s the one”. We went to a lot of obedience classes and finally I thought he was ready to take the LOVE ON 4 PAWS test. He was a true champion at the test, and he very proudly walked out wearing his green LOVE ON 4 PAWS vest.
The first time we got ready to visit at Childrens Hospital, I took out his official vest at home, and to my amazement, his whole body started to shake as he was wagging his tail with great enthusiasm. And then came the barking; he couldn’t wait to go! Of course, the first time we went, I was nervous. Moses was calm, looking at me saying “don’t worry, this is what I’m meant to do”. He confidently strolled the hallways, saying hello to everyone with grace and style, not only the patients, but their parents, relatives, doctors and nurses. He has continued to show this grace throughout the two years we’ve been visiting. He still wags his entire body as we get ready to go and jumps into the car. Okay, he doesn’t jump because he’s not a jumper, but he stands by the car door just waiting for me to “assist” him.
At one of our more recent visits, even I was surprised. When we entered a room, a pre-teen patient was in a crib and was not able to see or move. I asked the patient’s sister if they wanted a visit. She enthusiastically said YES. She said her brother had never even touched a dog. So Moses very obediently put his forelegs up on a chair and looked at me as if to say “hoist me up”, which of course I did. Moses very delicately extended his head into the boy’s hands. His hands were not very steady, so we helped the patient stroke Moses’ head. Moses never moved a muscle. He would have stayed there all day. He knew what to do.
Working with LOVE ON 4 PAWS has been an amazing experience. The connection between animals and people is very special, and seeing it first hand is such a gift.
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