Therapy Dogs International

Love On A Leash

By Hugh Jones

Home
Feature Stories
Vet's Voice
Bird Beat
Fe-Lines
Aunt Debe
Agility Tips
Miss Behavior
Dogs-The Right Stuff
Archives

Breeder Directory
Classifieds

Oklahoma City:
Event Calendar
Adoption Outreach

Animal Welfare
OKC Animal Welfare
Favorite Links
Let's Go Shopping

About Us
Authors' Bios
Advertising Info
Writer's Guidelines

Subscribe
Okla. Distributors
Contact Us

You're lying in a hospital bed, at the mercy of whoever walks through the door: the doctor, the nurse, the therapist, the lab technician, the dog...the dog? The others may bring unpleasantness in one form or another. The dog is meant for one thing, smiles.

But Greta's eyelids are getting heavy. The more the doberman blinks, the more her head droops, until she gives in and lays down. After all, it's 9 p.m. on what has been a long Monday. Annie, on the other hand, acts like the day is just starting–frisky and frustrated that she has to sit while "mom and dad" talk about Therapy Dogs International (TDI).

"Actually, we don't know what Annie is," says Lee Gruber, "part chow, part traveling salesman–she's a rescued dog; they both are."

Now, they return the favor by rescuing patients from a little of the dreariness one often finds in hospitals and nursing homes. This evening, they're in the Transitional Care Unit (TCU) at Mercy hospital.

"Mom" sits calmly with Greta. "Dad," Ken Gruber, has the tougher task, holding on to Annie. He's returning a favor too, as a former patient at Mercy.

"I came in here five years ago with heart failure, and nobody thought I had a chance of walking back out the door," he says with the confident look of a man who defied the odds. "When I left, I told them if they ever got a therapy program going, I wanted to be a part of it."

And so he is, as president of the local TDI chapter. He and his eight volunteers have just submitted an appropriate chapter name to the organization for approval: Love On A Leash. That's what they provide when they enter patients' rooms, talk with them and let them pet the dogs.

"I see people who are down, not interested in anything," says Gruber. "The dog comes in, breaks the silence. I leave them smiling, and it feels good. Like tonight. There was a gentleman who wasn't very sociable. After a few minutes with Annie, he was smiling, petting her and taking out his wallet to show me pictures of his dog."

Ken and Lee Gruber with Annie and Greta
Donna Moser, social services and activities director of the unit, agrees. "That patient has been a bit of a problem," she says. "But a nurse and I stood there in the door watching, and we just couldn't believe it."

She should, having watched the dogs perform their magic for about three years now. In fact, she's responsible for getting TDI in the hospital, and it wasn't easy.

"I did my homework," she says, "a lot of research, checking out different groups, asking questions, taking notes. My bosses and I put together a policy and procedure for approval by the administration, then rewrote it. We worked hard to get the program approved."

She's happy with her choice. "They're very devoted to this, loyal and dependable. They know the importance of this program, and we know, every Monday night, someone will be here."

And Moser, likewise, is devoted to her unit, which performs a valuable service. Transitional care is a middle-ground for patients who have been hospitalized with a serious injury or illness. They may be well enough to leave the regular hospital but require further care before being on their own. TCU bridges the gap, allowing time for recovery.

"It's where people are making a transition," she explains. "They're not sick enough to be in the hospital but not well enough to go home. Some will go home, others will have to go to nursing homes. Our goal is to build up their strength and get them prepared for the next step, whatever it is, so it's not such a sudden move."

The dogs are an extra aid. "I see a lot of benefits," she says. "We have different types of patients from old to young in all kinds of conditions. The visits brighten their day. We even have patients who request certain dogs. They want to know who's going to be here this week.

"Then there are the non-responsive ones who, when you bring pets into the room and let them touch them, show the first signs of awareness. They may not wake up or even open their eyes, but they'll use their hand to stroke the dog. And you can tell from their expression, they know."

She remembers a lady who was non-responsive but could open her eyes. "And she almost talked with them. When the dogs came in, you could see a glow in them and tell that she really enjoyed it, even though she couldn't say so."

Moser adds it's therapy for the dogs too. "They love what they do. They have to wear a certain collar while they're here. When it comes out, they get excited. They know they're going to Mercy and will get to see people and be petted."

The Grubers are in a good position to look for potential recruits as trainers with the Oklahoma City Obedience Club. There, they can scout for the right dogs with the right personalities. And the owners have to be right too. Not all pass the test. "It takes a special dog and person," says Moser. "We run a strict program with rules. If the Grubers see someone they think is appropriate, they'll invite them to visit and let them decide if they'd like to join.

"The dogs have to be able to cope in a different environment with strange sounds, odors and new people. They have to like closeness and being handled. But they're smart. I have one that I think actually remembers certain patients. They know why they're here–to give out TLC, and they expect it in return. Some, if you walk by and don't pet them, wonder what they've done wrong."

Moser sees patients who aren't alert and won't get enthused about anything. "Sometimes, say in physical therapy, they just can't remember what they're supposed to do next. But bring in the dog and it really perks them up. They know what they're supposed to do with it. And you feel like you've accomplished something and brought them a little joy."

And it brings satisfaction to those on the other end of the leash. Gruber is retired but spends a lot of time between training and visiting. He refers to it as a second job. Lee says it's more like a full-time hobby. "Whatever it is," he says with a smile, "it's rewarding."

Back to Archives

Ken and Annie


	© Copyright 2000-02 Ashworth Publishing LLC (OK PetGazette) No part of this Web site may be reproduced, transmitted or stored in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior written permission from Ashworth Publishing LLC (OK PetGazette)