A TEAM of friendly furry pooches and their owners is helping to bring smiles to the faces of patients at Mount Gambier Hospital as they struggle through chemotherapy or post surgery.
Whether it is a paw to shake or a floppy ear to listen, patients are reaping the benefits of the hospital’s pet therapy program.
Every week a team of pooches and their proud owners can be seen doing the rounds of the hospital to relieve stress and bring joy to people’s lives.
Importantly, the pint-size fur-balls and their friendly and caring owners are also helping to give some relief to staff who work in a high pressure working environment.
For chemotherapy patients like Margaret Conlan, the feel-good program is helping to brighten people’s lives.
“It was wonderful to spend some time with the dogs and their owners,” said Ms Conlan, who has recently endured 12 weeks of chemotherapy.
“They relieved any stress I had and I went home in greater spirits.
“While I sat with the dogs, I would watch people entering and leaving the hospital and invariably their faces lit up when they saw the dogs and gave them a pat.”
While the dogs had little idea how they helped light up people’s day, Ms Conlan revealed for her they were an essential part of her healing.
“I would like to thank the hospital for having this program,” she said.
Meanwhile, Tracey Cridland – who was in hospital for seven months – said the pet therapy brought some brightness to life during a difficult time.
“The dogs just made me happy and their owners gave me someone else to speak with,” Ms Cridland told The Border Watch.
“I looked forward to the lovely cuddles.”
Lea Clark – from the Blue Lake Obedience Dog Club – said the club had facilitated pet therapy at the hospital for about three years.
“The best part is to see the smiles on the faces of patients and staff,” Ms Clark said during a recent pet therapy session.
“They always make the comment ‘oh, it is pet therapy day today’.”
Twelve dogs take part in the popular program, along with eight compassionate handlers.
“We are always looking to recruit more – there are some in the pipeline,” Ms Clark said.
She revealed all participating dogs go through strenuous checks to ensure they were capable of handling unusual noises, such as the wheelchairs and trolleys that go by.
“The temperament of the dog is very important,” Ms Clark said.
Asked if she believed the program made a difference to the lives of patients, Ms Clark emphatically replied it “certainly does”.
“Especially the small dogs where we can carry them in our arms and sneak a little moment on the bed. There is a poodle in particular who loves to jump onto people’s laps – it is very rewarding,” she said.
She said the dogs were not allowed in certain areas of the hospital, including where there were open wounds.
“We do most of the wards, the mental health unit is a big hit and we also do the doctors’ waiting rooms,” Ms Clark said.
“We cannot go into accident and emergency, but we have also started to go down to the public dentist area in the hospital and community health waiting rooms.”
The dogs – wearing blue vests – visit the hospital every Wednesday afternoon.
Country Health SA acting regional director Ngaire Buchanan said patients appreciated the pet therapy program.
“It makes people’s lives more enriched and research shows there are much better outcomes for patients when they have pet therapy coming into their lives,” Ms Buchanan said.
She said this program also worked well in aged care facilities.
“It is also very good for staff. I know myself I always make a point on Wednesday afternoon to come out – it brings a bit of joy to people,” Ms Buchanan said.
