Therapy dogs bring smiles to VA patients, staff

Jan. 06--DANVILLE -- Stroking the dog's soft fur, the man smiled and said, "I needed that today."

Hannah the collie stood still for the petting, and then trotted off to greet the next person on a recent visit to the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System.

Residents and staff smiled as she walked down the hallway, and some stooped to talk to her as if she were a child.

"You're so pretty ... yes, you are," an employee said, giving the collie a hug.

"What a pretty dog! Hello, Lassie," a passing veteran called out.

Hannah is just one example of how four-legged visitors -- dogs and even cats -- can bring smiles to patients and staff at hospitals, comfort those who are grieving, and encourage children in schools and libraries to read.

"It's just incredibly rewarding -- that a dog can give so much pleasure to someone in a time of need," said Chris Lucas of Danville, whose West Highland terrier has been doing therapy work for nine years.

In fact, Lucas is the one who encouraged Marilyn Campbell of Georgetown to take her dog, Hannah, to the VA for visits about a year and a half ago.

Since then, Hannah, who is 8, has made 150 visits to the VA and local nursing homes. They visit the VA four times a month.

"I enjoy going out and interacting with (the veterans), and helping them have a good day," Campbell said.

Lucas and Campbell are two of several people in the area who brighten people's days with pet visits.

Busy retiree

Campbell recently was honored by the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund for her work with therapy dogs. She is retired from the Vermilion County Conservation District.

As one of seven finalists, she received $100 for the charity of her choice, which she donated to Feed the Children Backpack program that serves seven Danville schools.

Campbell also has been an evaluator with Therapy Dogs International for 20 years, and has certified more than 200 dogs in central Illinois and Indiana.

Campbell adopted Hannah from Indiana Collie Rescue three years ago.

"I feel very fortunate. She's a sweet dog," said Campbell, who has owned nine collies.

A couple of years ago, she realized how empathetic Hannah is to people's emotions. They were at Camp Healing Heart for children who have lost a loved one, and a boy started to cry while talking about his late father. The other children gathered around him, and began crying, too.

"Hannah got up and pushed her way into the middle of them and started giving kisses," Campbell said. "That's when I realized she had a special feeling for people and should be in pet therapy."

Star status

Hannah enjoys her near-celebrity status at the VA.

In fact, many people greet Hannah first, and then give Campbell a big smile.

For some reason, Hannah is fascinated with whiskers, and likes to examine beards on men's faces, Campbell said.

She doesn't usually bark -- except when she sees a floor polisher in action. Another time, the Patti Page song, "Doggie in the Window," came on over the loudspeaker, and to everyone's delight, Hannah barked every time the dog in the song barked.

"That really brightened our day," Campbell said, chuckling at the memory.

Veterans' faces light up when the collie walks into a room, and that usually sparks a conversation about their own pets. One man, who doesn't speak much, opens up to Hannah. Another man who tends to be grumpy is smiling by the time Hannah leaves.

Hannah also has a special bond with Tina Foote, a Navy veteran who served in the Persian Gulf War. Hannah will jump onto Foote's bed at the VA, enjoying the attention.

"She makes me so happy," Tina said, as she petted the collie.

Hannah has jumped onto other beds, as well. Campbell recalled a time Hannah got up onto a bed with a Vietnam War veteran, who was upset, and she calmed him down.

During a recent visit, the dog got onto the bed with Lloyd Spellmeyer of Pontiac, who joked he was going to use her as a foot warmer.

The staff makes over Hannah, as well, saying, "We need the therapy as much as the patients," Campbell said.

Hannah also goes to North Logan and Gardenview nursing homes once a month for each.

Comfort to patients

Lucas also gets a lot out of her visits to the VA, where she goes once a month with her terrier, Sophie, 10.

When they go to the VA, they arrive early so employees can visit with her. The response to the dog -- by patients and staff -- is overwhelmingly positive.

"Dogs can sense the sadness and stress that people have," Lucas said. "I think therapy dogs absorb that."

Therapy dogs bring a sense of peace and comfort to people, and often remind them of their own dogs in the past or dogs they've had to leave behind.

"Everybody has a story," Lucas said.

They've been visiting patients at the VA for three years, and also are active with Carle Hospice. In addition, Sophie and Lucas go to the Pavilion in Champaign to visit with mentally disturbed children, and the women's shelter in Danville.

Lucas said she's always taken her dogs to obedience classes. One time, when Sophie was 6-8 months old, she was spotted by Campbell, who was observing the class at Danville Area Community College. Campbell said Sophie would make a good therapy dog. (Her other Westie, Lucy, didn't have the disposition for it.)

Lucas didn't know anything about therapy dogs, but decided to pursue certification. She and Sophie became involved in Therapy Dogs International's Tail Waggin' Tutors program, visiting Danville District 118 schools and listening to children read.

They also attended a grief workshop at Sunset Funeral Home, and Camp Healing Heart in Monticello.

The most touching times are spent with hospice patients.

"She's given comfort to a lot of hospice patients," Lucas said of the dog. "She's laid next to people taking their last breaths."

One time, Sophie was snuggled in bed next to a woman in a coma, when the patient suddenly picked up her arm and started petting Sophie.

"It was so moving," Lucas said.

Therapy vs. service

Lucas also noted there are a lot of misconceptions about therapy dogs versus service dogs. A therapy dog, which is trained by the owner, provides affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes and other places. They do not provide direct assistance to humans, and are not mentioned in the Americans with Disabilities Act.

An assistance or service dog helps people with disabilities, and is allowed in most public areas; people are warned not to bother them while they're working. They are legally protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

A therapy dog wears a red scarf indicating his role. Once a year, an owner must renew his certification; insurance is covered by Therapy Dogs International.

The cost is about $30 to join, Campbell said.

Lucas helps Campbell with evaluating dogs for therapy work. The sessions are held at least twice a year to judge dogs' disposition. People may check the TDI website for a schedule.

Campbell said if a dog has had obedience training and the owner thinks the pet would be a good therapy dog, they may sign up for one of the evaluations. Those tests are held two or three times a year, with a small group of people; individual tests are not offered.

The tests are limited to six people for each session, and it takes 5-10 minutes per dog.

If anyone is interested in pursuing therapy dog work, Lucas said, "There's a little bit of time and energy (involved)."

Still, the results are rewarding to everyone, including the owner, who also benefits from the interactions.

FYI

If anyone is interested in pet therapy, contact Marilyn Campbell at 662-6460 or email her at [email protected]. There is no charge to have Campbell and Hannah visit places, such as nursing homes.

To learn more about how your pet can become a therapy dog, go to Therapy Dogs International at http://tdi-dog.org/

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