Doctor Paws comes to visit

Reprinted with permission from the Farmington Observer, photos by Paul Hurschmann/Staff photographer

Everyone smiles as Parker the golden retriever walks down the hall at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia. Like a rock star that's entered the building, his fans shout out greetings and inquire as to how he's doing.

Parker stops for a moment so the nurses can gush over him, then he's on his way. It's his job to cheer as many patients as he can during a two- to three-hour visit each month.

The 4-year old dog seems especially proud of the hospital badge that owner Steve Frank clips onto a neck scarf with the logo of Doctor Paws, an affiliate of Therapy Dogs Inc. Parker is one of the volunteers in the Doctor Paws Pet Assisted Therapy program based at Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills. He not only had to meet health requirements at St. Mary Mercy Hospital but he and Frank had to pass tests conducted at Botsford Hospital in order to qualify for certification as a pet therapist.

Making a difference

Long before studies proved petting a dog or cat can lower blood pressure and improve a person's mood, therapy dogs were visiting nursing homes and hospitals. Sherri Fletcher is so impressed by the difference Parker is making in morale at St. Mary she's planning on adding more dogs to her volunteer program.

"You can not imagine the response to this dog, not just patients but staff," said Sherri Fletcher, director of volunteer services at St. Mary Mercy Hospital. "Everybody's spirit is uplifted."

Frank's noticed the impact Parker makes as well.

"I'll never forget the day we first visited the hospital seven months ago," said Frank of Livonia. "A man was on his way to a nursing home and unresponsive. Parker put his paws on the gurney and tears started pouring down his face. Parker can bring people out of their shells, out of the dumps. He takes their minds off of what's ailing them."

Before long, Parker is making his rounds in one of the waiting rooms. The two don't approach everybody. They try to scope out visitors who might be receptive to a cold nose touching their hand. Then it's up to the third floor nurses' station where Frank asks who would benefit from a visit from Parker.

In the second floor diagnostic waiting room Margaret Sennett is expecting her husband, Douglas, to return from testing at any minute. As much as she's been at the hospital, Sennett had never met Parker.

"I think that's a great dog," said Sennett of Plymouth. On her way out she stops to grabs his nose playfully.

Parker makes his way around the room not forgetting to stop and visit staff. Amy Jensen is sitting at the registration desk for out patient services. Now a Canton resident, Jensen is originally from Irons, Mich., where her family owned a big farm.

"I love dogs," said Jensen. "I'm an animal lover."

Making the rounds

Parker says a quick goodbye and he's on his way to the surgical waiting room. Frank walks up to a visitor and explains Parker is a therapy dog. The questions begin flying. How long did it take to get certified? Frank explains he and Parker were tested three times, and that they accept almost any dogs "as long as your dog isn't going to be a wild thing." Before moving on, Frank tells them to go to the Doctor Paws Web site to learn more.

On his way out, Parker is pulling Frank towards the stuffed dog behind the waiting room desk. Parker loves stuffed animals. Three nurses come running out of another room to say "Hi." One bends down to have her face kissed.

Everywhere they walk, someone comes up to Parker. Frank says he never had a son, only two daughters, so Parker is his little boy. And it's obvious he's a proud papa.

From down the hall, a nurse calls out "There's my buddy." Parker stops to visit the nurses' station just a little further on. Then it's time to get back to work.

On the third floor, Doris DeBaldo breaks into a smile as Parker walks into her room. The Livonia resident has been in the hospital for a week. She asks Frank, "Does he smile, too? How old is he?"

"Hi, baby" says DeBaldo. "I've had a dog all my life. I love dogs. My daughter has a golden retriever."

Soon the two are on their way to another room where Frank asks nurse Laura Guibord to cover a stuffed animal on the bed before Parker sees it. After responding to the close call, Guibord says of the patient, "she just lit up seeing him. You could see a love exchange. It's very good."

Patient Joan Alexander wasn't expecting to see a dog during her stay. At home, her daughter visits with two shelties.

"He cheers us up," said Alexander of Farmington Hills.

To your health

One patient after another comes to life as Parker enters the room. He is also good therapy for employees. A group of nurses surround Parker in the station on 4. Later, a nurse asks a patient if they would like to see "our Parker." He is their dog when he's in the hospital.

A few rooms down, Camilla Verhune's seen a lot during her 101 years, but never a dog in a hospital.

"Hi, Parker," said Verhune of Farmington Hills. "Oh, you nice doggie. Yes, you are."

Then Parker licks her arm. "I like you too," she says. "I love dogs."

His work is almost done. Frank notices Parker is slowing down a little and says, "just a few more stops." They head toward to the elevator where one of the staff calls out, "You have a good day. Take care of Parker."

For more information on the Doctor Paws Pet Assisted Therapy program, visit the Web site at www.drpaws.org