“IT IS wonderful to see how uplifting it is for people and so rewarding to see the smiles light up patients’ faces,” Blue Lake Obedience Dog Club volunteer Lea Clark said, speaking to The Border Watch about the Mount Gambier Hospital’s pet therapy program.
“We look forward to it each week and many of the hospital staff do too.”
Initially the brainchild of well-known fundraiser Deb Paschke, pet therapy was introduced at the hospital and associated community health programs almost three years ago.
Every Wednesday, Blue Lake Obedience Dog Club volunteers bring their furry friends to visit patients and staff, offering an invaluable “pat and chat”.
“It allows people to forget their worries or illness for a while,” Ms Clark said.
“We visit mental health, we do ward visits on request and we visit Benson Radiology too – lots of staff love to take a breather and have a cuddle.”
After completing ward visits, volunteers stay in the hospital’s main foyer until around 3pm, greeting patients and visitors.
“We see all walks of life going by and most people stop to have a pat or ask about the program,” Ms Clark said.
“It’s a very worthy cause and we just love doing it.
“We are recruiting at the moment and would love to hear from any dog owners who would like to get involved.”
Ms Clark said potential pet therapy pooches would need to undergo a few tests to be eligible to participate.
“These are all very well behaved dogs and we would need to examine any potential dogs to make sure they fit certain criteria,” she said.
“The group is growing – we have nine members at the moment and up to around 12 dogs that come along.
“Some people cannot be here each week, but we are fortunate to have a few members who can be here every Wednesday.”
She recalled one occasion where a visit from the therapy dogs was a patient’s dying wish.
“The family asked if we could go in as this patient just loved cuddling the dogs,” Ms Clark said.
“She passed away the next day and some of the dogs went to her funeral at the family’s request.
“It was such an honour to know we had brought joy to her in her final days.”
