When Love Walks In--
On Four Paws

By Gwen Meyer
© Daily Word

Photo of Gwen Meyer and KC by Gene King

My dog KC and I were a team in Pets for Life, a nonprofit visitation program in the Kansas City, Missouri, area. On one particular day, I did what I always did just before we visited a patient in a hospital or nursing home: I said a prayer. I did not know what was wrong with this little five-year-old boy we were to visit, but just looking at him, I knew it was something serious: Jason was hooked up to IVs and monitors. In his arms he held a doll dressed in a hospital gown, and it was labeled "Little Jason." As we entered the room, he hugged the doll closer.

Most patients, especially children, immediately wanted to pet KC, but Jason seemed frightened. So I tried a roundabout approach, saying, "This is KC, and she's a Kerry Blue Terrier with a curly, soft coat. Do you think Little Jason would like to pet KC?"

Jason looked at me and shook his head no and said, "Little Jason is afraid."

I was quiet for a moment or two and then asked, "Well, would big Jason like to pet KC?"'

Slowly Jason shook his head yes.

I pulled a chair up next to Jason's big criblike bed, and KC jumped up on the chair. Jason's eyes lit up when he reached out and touched KC. In an excited voice he yelled, "She's as soft as a pillow!"

Jason was fascinated when I showed him that KC had blue skin. For the ten minutes we were allowed to visit, something marvelous happened: Jason was a happy little boy who forgot that he was sick.

Most often this is what happens when teams from Pets for Life visit hospitals and nursing homes. Children and adults forget that they are scared or lonely or sick.

I have been volunteering for seven years. I say a prayer just before a visit and again when I leave. I pray that these people make it, that they stay healthy, and that God continues to watch over them.

The Pets for Life organization was founded in 1984 by Harriet M. and William D. Snyder. The Snyders had seen a TV program about the healing benefits of an animal-assisted visitation program. They decided that Kansas City needed such a program. There were only one or two pets in the begmiming, but today the program has over 100 pet and volunteer teams.

The Training Process

The volunteers and their pets go through a very stringent training process. For instance, the dogs are given obedience tests. They need to know basic commands to navigate around wheelchairs, walkers, and IV stands.

Most important is the dog's temperament. We took for friendly, mellow dogs that enjoy being with people and socializing with other dogs. Therapy dogs must be able to handle chaotic situations and not be easily distracted, because nursing homes and hospitals can be very busy, noisy places.

Our most popular dog breed in the program is the golden retriever, but all types of dogs participate--dogs that range in size from 4 pounds up to 120 pounds. Some of the dogs are from the Humane Society, and many are mixed breeds. Rescued dogs have proven to be good therapy pets.

Because pets differ in their coats, their sizes, and their looks, we use a variety of animals. People who dodt have much contact with anyone or anything in the outside world are intrigued by the differences. Touching a curly-haired dog or a soft-coated kitten is a sensation that perks them up. Memories of a special pet come to mind, which cause these people to feel happy once again and bring smiles to their faces.

Personal Gratification

KC and I have visited rehabilitation centers, and I feel such gratification seeing what happens when a patient sees KC: A person who is frustrated after working all morning in therapy and is unable to lift his arm suddenly reaches out with that very same arm to pet KC. Both the patient and the therapist are amazed.

KC is thirteen years old now and retired, so I am training Cody, another of my pets, to be a therapy dog.

I am an animal lover, and working with my pets, I feel I make an important difference in the lives of people who are facing some serious challenges. In a short visit, my dog and I share love, with others.

My dogs give unconditional love, and they have taught me how to love unconditionally also. They go into a hospital room and look past the burn-scarred face of a man to his very heart and soul. With the wag of its tail, the dog says, "I love you-unconditionally."

Gwen Meyer resides in the Kansas City, Missouri, area. She and her loving canine companions continue to bless others through their participation in the Pets for Life program.

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