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Thoughts
on Therapy Dog Work from Gromit
MCH Caring Paws Volunteer, Josie Gans, with
Therapy Dog, Gromit
Howdy, my name is Gromit and I am a 7 year
old Golden Retriever. One of the highlights of my week is to visit the
patients, their friends and families, the staff and the volunteers at
Medical Center Hospital, Odessa, Texas (MCH). When I get a bath early in the
day (and the other three dogs don’t), I know I am the one who is going to
visit MCH. I hop into the tub for my bath and let the other dogs be jealous.
My handler and I drive to Odessa where I get into my MCH Volunteer vest.
Then I know I am really going to visit the hospital. People in the hospital
have different reactions when they see me. Kids are excited to see me. Some
kids are afraid of dogs, so my handler turns me around so they can pet the
end that isn’t scary. It’s tough to pass by the popcorn and not snack off
the floor, but I understand the rule that I can’t eat at the hospital. An
MCH volunteer joins us for our visits to the patients.
We go up in the elevator to rehab where there are lots of people to visit.
The patients stroke my head, look into my gorgeous brown eyes and reminisce
about dogs they have or used to have. I understand their feelings. Some of
them even cry. Sometimes I do a few tricks or dance the Hokey Pokey. How
embarrassing for me, but the patients do laugh and some of them clap. I like
the excitement.
Next we go to pediatrics. It’s always nice when there are no sick kids. But
we are there to visit and bring some smiles to their faces. Sometimes the
parents appreciate my visit a lot. We are so non-threatening. Just relax and
pet me. The MCH volunteers bought some rubber dog paw toys that I give to
the kids just before I leave. Then the kids have something to remember me by
and it easier to leave them.
On to the surgical floors where I visit patients. We have lots of nice
chats. Patients like to talk to me and reminisce about their pets and the
funny things their pets do. Their eyes get dreamy and there is a smile in
their voices as they talk and pet me.
If there is time, we stop at the ICU waiting room. There sure is a lot of
stress in that room. Sometimes people are sitting all by themselves in the
chairs. They talk to us and tell about who is in ICU. I don’t understand the
words, but I know the feelings. This is a sad room, but I think people feel
better after my visit.
On the way home, we often stop at Wendy’s for chicken nuggets. You know, I
am a retriever and retrievers are a kind of bird dog. Fried chicken is my
favorite bird. When we get home, the other dogs are so jealous and want to
sniff all over me. They wonder about a world where people smell like alcohol
wipes. I just smile and think about the good visits I had at MCH. I’m
exhausted and I take a nap. Good night.
Gromit
(Words have not been edited or altered;
human interpretation by Gromit’s handler, Josie Gans, Midland, TX) |
