TMC PULSE

t m c » p u l s e | j u ly 2 0 1 5 18 Sophie and Emmalea BREED: Shetland Sheepdogs AGES: 9 and 13 BIOS: Sophie and Emmalea live with Debbie Benningfield and have been volunteer- ing with Faithful Paws for a little over a year. Although they go everywhere together in their matching outfits, the adoptive sisters have vastly different personalities: Sophie is a happy-go-lucky type who loves to be around people, while Emmalea is known for being shy and sweet. "You can't even describe how happy it makes you to see a dog at your door," said Kayla Deroche, an 18-year-old patient at MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital during a recent pet-therapy session with Caring Critters. Deroche, who has been in and out of the hospital over the past 12 months, had been waiting all morn- ing to see one therapy dog in particular: Denali, also known as "Deni," a 6-year- old Great Pyrenees who was adopted by Christy and Stephen Almond just two days before she was scheduled to be euthanized in a shelter in Kentucky. "I have three dogs at home and I was used to seeing them every day," explained Deroche. "Last time Deni visited I couldn't do anything—I hadn't been able to eat for three weeks—so we just laid on the floor. She was the only reason I got out of bed." Along with visiting patient rooms, many hospitals in the TMC also utilize the therapy animals in their physi- cal rehabilitation programs to help patients attain specific goals related to mobility, range of motion, or hand-eye coordination. Therapists will work with their patients on brushing an animal, tossing a ball for a game of fetch, or even assisting the handler with walking his or her dog through the hallways. MD Anderson, in partnership with Caring Critters, offers a group reha- bilitation session every Saturday in addition to their animal bedside visita- tion on their pediatric floor. Called the Welcoming Animals Giving Support (WAGS) program, participation requires a doctor's order for animal- assisted physical therapy. "Our volunteers help the patients move to the rehab area and they partic- ipate in rehabilitation-based structured activities with the dogs," explained Brandon Floyd, hospital and clinic programs manager for the Department of Volunteer Services at MD Anderson. "It's meant to feel like a gymnasium— a kind of recess, if you will—and it really takes the patients' minds off the fact that they are engaging in a prescribed care activity that, for most of them, is actually very challenging." MD Anderson also partners with the local nonprofit PAWS Houston, which takes pet therapy a step further and works to bring patients' own animals to their bedside. This service is offered through the hospital's Palliative Care program, which focuses on relieving suffering and providing comfort to critically ill patients who may require end-of-life care. In addition to arrang- ing and facilitating these invaluable visits, in many cases the organization can also provide foster care or in-home animal care for pets of those hospital- ized individuals. "It's a unique opportunity for patients to say goodbye," explained Jo-Anne Gaudet, pet therapy coordi- nator at Houston Methodist Hospital, who also works with PAWS Houston to provide this service. "For most people, their pets are a part of their family, and depending on the circumstance, sometimes even their best friend. We've watched how these visits can really help with depression or provide closure for a patient who is at the end of life. In looking at the person as a whole, if there's something we can do to make their experience at Houston Methodist better, we're going to make it happen." Whether it's saying goodbye, cuddling on the floor or squeezing in a quick hug as the crew walks through the hallways, an animal's presence is a welcome reprieve not only to the patients and their families, but to the hospital staff as well. "When we go on a visit, we're not just there for the patients," said Richards. "The nurses, physicians, staff—they all benefit, too. I had this one doctor turn to mush when he took Milo in his arms. Here was this rough-and- tough-looking doctor and he was boo- boo talking to the cat. It's amazing. On any given day, you never know who's going to need that extra comfort." And as for the animals themselves? "They love it," said Dave Brady, a volunteer with Caring Critters whose dog, Chloe, has been volunteering for five years. "She can always tell when we're going to Texas Children's, as there are certain things that need to be gathered and packed for our visit. Seeing and hearing these things always results in her becoming visibly excited and ends up with her sitting and wait- ing by the door to leave. She loves the interaction with the patients, parents, siblings, staff and other volunteers." Remarkably, these highly trained BREED: Long-haired Dachshund Mix AGE: 3 BIO: As one of the newest members of the Caring Critters team, Maisy has already proven she's a natural therapy dog through her playful spirit and calm demeanor. When she's not volunteering at Texas Children's Hospital, she enjoys chasing lizards, hiding her toys and playing fetch with her handler, Carol Parker. BREED: English Setter AGE: 7 BIO: A member of the Caring Critters team, Chloe has been volunteering at Texas Children's Hospital for over five years. When she isn't lending a floppy ear or a helping paw to patients and their families, she enjoys napping, chasing squirrels, and going on walks with her handler, Dave Brady. Chloe Maisy

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