Therapy Dog Visits...just what a young heart transplant patient needed (to keep up strength)

[The Straight Story]

Therapy Dog Visits...just what a young heart transplant patient needed.

Joey was 10 years old and dangerously ill. He needed a heart transplant, but had been in the hospital for a long time, waiting for one to become available. With each passing day he grew weaker. Even worse, he was losing hope.

To be a good transplant candidate, Joey needed to keep up his strength – somehow. That is when the Pet Partners (therapy animal) team of Fauna (a Black Labrador) and Greer walked into his room, and into his life. From the first moment Joey petted Fauna's silky head, energy seemed to flow back into the sick boy. Joey had become too weak to walk – but when he was invited to hold the leash and take Fauna for a stroll down the hall, he brightened with anticipation. And then, with his medical team assisting him, Joey walked with his new best friend!

With the help of this very special dog, Joey turned a corner, gained strength, and underwent a successful heart transplant surgery. As Joey struggled through recovery and rehab, Fauna was there, too. The first time Joey tried to climb a flight of stairs Fauna was waiting at the top, greeting him joyously as he reached his goal.

Today, Joey is a happy, healthy teenager – thanks to the Pet Partners team who regularly visited him – and to good friends who support our programs so generously.

http://blog.seattlepi.com/deltasociety/archives/189337.asp?from=blog_last3

[no_hypocrisy]

1. My sister used to take her two long-haired Chihuahuas to nursing homes and hospitals.

There were elderly patients who sat in wheelchairs, wouldn't speak to their families, to the nurses, to each other -- but when a little dog was placed in their laps, they'd hesitantly start to stroke their fur and began to talk to the dog. And smile. And show love.

[medeak]

2. visited nursing home where patients can have ther pets

it was wonderful...they're all wheeled out into the great room with their dogs and visit each other's pets. It was like doggie day care.

[havocmom]

3. Thanks for posting

sending link to wayward daughter who volunteers with a servoce animal training service. She finds it VERY rewarding and it gives her strength too. She would like to get into working with therapy dogs.

I recommend DUer looking for ways to make life better for themselves and others to look for such groups in their areas!

[asdjrocky]

4. Kind of a dog theme today?

[The Straight Story]

6. It was a dog day afternoon

;)

[asdjrocky]

7. Now you're just fucking the dog.

;)

[Way2go]

5. Woofers are one of God's greatest gifts to this world. nt

[yourout]

8. Great story.

Thanks,

[BrklynLiberal]

9. Absolutely wonderful story. thanks for sharing.

Dogs truly are man's best friend.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7328872&mesg_id=7328872

[ceveritt]

10. dawgs

Thank you very much for posting this. It's been a really shite day and I needed this to be able to keep my head up above the (metaphorical) water.

I used to be owned by a series of dogs, and their indomitable spirits cheered me countless times.

Much obliged.