Pet Therapists
Dog help patients' spirits soar

Story by Mabel Perez
© The Ocala Star-Banner, Florida
July 10, 2003

Monroe Regional Medical Center patient Mirle Buchan gets a visit from therapy dog, "Spy," in his hospital room Monday. Spy, an 8-year-old Kerry Blue Terrier, lifts the spirits of both patients and staff during his weekly visits.

Years ago Vicky Audrain could be found in the back stairways of Munroe Regional Medical Center sneaking pets into the rooms of patients wanting a little TLC from a familiar face. In June 2002, she was no longer sneaking through the hallways, but was welcoming Spy, a 7-year old Kerry Blue Terrier, into MRMC with one purpose ­ to comfort, amuse and make life a little brighter for the patients and staff at the hospital

"Pets are like babies," Karen Briere said, who lives in Massachusetts and is visiting her aunt at MRMC, after Spy jumped onto her aunt's bed and began to play with her.

"They are comforting and help take your mind off problems," Briere said. Her aunt Mildred Sundquist was admitted in the hospital on Saturday because of an accelerated heart beat.

Spy has his own security badge.

Spy is able to visit patients like Sundquist because Audrain and other staff at MRMC believed in the simplicity and nature of the program. Owners volunteer to come and bring their pets into the hospital a few hours a week. In return, patients have something to talk about besides their illnesses.

"The program has been a blessing from day one," said Audrain, coordinator of risk management and director of the pet therapy program. She describes herself as an animal lover and says she was first introduced to a pet therapy program while working at a nursing home in Canada more than 20 years ago.

Patients' faces would light up when the dog would visit them, says Audrain. She wanted to see the same at MRMC. After approval from hospital administrators, Audrain got a paws up for the program that is funded by the Munroe Foundation.

Eighteen dogs are currently involved in the pet therapy program. Spy is one of them and has been a pet therapist for four years, one year at MRMC. Each dog must undergo obedience training before being admitted into the program.

"His favorite thing to do is come down here," said Sue Ann Bailey, owner of Spy and volunteer for the program. "He gets attention without a lot of work."

Spy can be found roaming the halls and surprising patients like Mirle Buchan. Buchan has been in the hospital for about two weeks and suffers from pancreatitis. Immediately after Spy walked into the room, Buchan came alive. "We used to have a dairy farm in Massachusetts and always had dogs," Buchan said. After their dog died, the Buchans haven't been able to replace her.

The visit from Spy, though, quickly put a smile on Buchan's face. "They can put the dog in bed with me and he could spend the night," Buchan said.

Dog owner Regina Compton, a volunteer for the program, says she saw an advertisement in the newspaper and decided to give it a shot.

"Anytime you can make someone feel better it's rewarding," Compton said of the program. Raynor, her 4-year-old Shetland Sheepdog gets so excited. He loves to be petted. "He sometimes gets into bed with the patients and puts his head on their chest or stomach," said Compton, who is involved with the Marion-Alachua Dog Training Club. "I have to tell him not to get comfortable because we have to move on."

Compton says that Munroe staff also gets a dose of pet therapy. "The staff gets more excited than the patients."

Therapy dog Spy gets a scratch from RN Joyce Barriner Monday during his stint at the hospital.

For more information call Vicky Audrain at 506-7944.

Last Update:   Terms of Use and Disclaimer.