In an era of technological advancements in health care, sometimes care comes in unusual packages.
Furry packages, that is.
“There are physical as well as emotional benefits,” says Michelle Aberant, President of Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta. “Pets in a healthcare setting are proven to lower patients’ blood pressure, improve mobility and increase self-care.”
Two of the Grey Nuns pet therapy teams: Corinne Reich (left) with Abbey, a Maltese, and Barb Olmstead (right) with Kane, a Doberman. “People often don’t know our names—but they know the dogs’ names!” jokes Barb.
Many Covenant Health continuing care facilities have resident pets that live permanently on site, providing 24/7 companionship to the patients, residents and families. Acute sites are not allowed to keep an animal full-time for infection prevention and control reasons. Instead, acute sites welcome trained therapy animals to meet with patients and residents during regular visiting hours.
“Dogs are the most common in pet therapy,” says Michelle. “However, I’ve seen cats, rabbits and pot-bellied pigs in continuing care, and the results are similar. Fish are also popular for residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s.”
Barb Olmstead and her Doberman Pinscher, Kane, volunteer together as one of these pet therapy teams.
“When I quit working, I was looking for something to do with my time and I saw a piece on pet therapy,” says Barb. “I always felt Kane has such a soft spirit and kind, gentle eyes—so I asked my daughter if I could borrow Kane, and we went from there.”
Barb and Kane visit the Grey Nuns Community Hospital in Edmonton once a week. They often visit with another pet therapy team: Corinne Reich and her Maltese, Abbey.
“Volunteering on the palliative unit requires extra training—but I’ve always wanted to do it,” explains Barb. “If we can give somebody a five- or 10-minute distraction when they’ve been dealt a really crappy hand … it’s a positive way we can share hope.”
Maria Simon (centre), a patient on the Grey Nuns palliative unit, loves visits from Kane (left) and Abbey (right).
Corinne agrees, adding, “The staff on the palliative unit suggested Abbey would be a good fit because she’s so little. You can see the difference Abbey makes on their patients. Oftentimes, it’s not even the patient—it’s the family that needs comfort.”
As Corinne says this, a woman taps Corinne on the shoulder. She wants to know whether they will bring the dogs over to visit her young son. It was his first visit to the palliative unit to see his grandpa, and he was very nervous.
“Of course we’ll come!” says Corinne.
Abbey and Kane lead the way over to the young boy, who visibly calms down as he scratches the dogs behind their ears.
“Grandpa is allergic to dogs, unfortunately—but sometimes, a few minutes’ distraction is all that’s needed,” says Corinne.
Joanne Boyce (right) gives a kiss to Kane, a Doberman who volunteers with owner Barb Olmstead (left) on the Grey Nuns palliative unit.
Allergies, bites or scratches, and fear of disease are the most common arguments against pets in a care setting. However, Michelle explains that with training and education, those risks can be reduced significantly. For example, Covenant Health policy guides how to handle patients with allergies, visitation times and the type of animals to incorporate.
Similarly, Pet Therapy Society guidelines require all volunteers—humans and pets—to attend an information night, pass pre-screening and complete one weekend of training, followed by a pass/fail exercise. All animals must be a minimum of two years old and require annual health exams.
With safety checks in place, pet therapy comes down to animals helping people.
“I believe the benefits greatly outweigh the risks,” says Michelle. “We’ve seen cases where patients talk or react only when a dog is in the room. It’s calming to people. It’s really amazing.”
Covenant Health has dozens of furry, feathered and scaled volunteers! Take a look at some of our friendly pet therapists and their generous human volunteers.
Bonnyville Health Centre: Odie is a golden lab who comes to long-term care once or twice a month with his handler Deb, whom he lives with. Odie works with victim services in Bonnyville as a service dog. He brings great joy to the continuing care residents—they love when he comes to visit each month.
Grey Nuns Community Hospital, Edmonton: Nova the Dalmatian visits with his owner, Jim, every week. Nova is especially popular with children because he’s like a Disney character come to life!
Killam Health Centre: Jack (bottom) and Jill (top), Gouldian finches, are permanent residents in the recreation room. They are both a year old and are looked after by the Recreation department staff.
Killam Health Centre: Five cichlid fish live permanently in an 80-gallon aquarium in a sitting area just off the dining room. The Recreation department cares and looks after the beautiful fish.
Mary Immaculate Care Centre, Mundare: Zoey is a dog that comes to visit whenever her owners, Larissa and Matthew MacIsaac, are in town. Zoey and Shadow, Mary Immaculate’s resident cat, got along quite well. Shadow would let Zoey give her kisses when they greeted. The residents love to throw ball with Zoey—it’s a great activity to get them all smiling!
St. Joseph’s Auxiliary Hospital, Edmonton: Sandy Harrod and Sam have been visiting since 2008. Sam came to St. Joseph’s as a 10-week-old puppy. Sandy and Sam often tag-team their visits with another dog named Jack, a smaller version of Sam. Sam takes the first hour; Jack takes the second. They visit throughout the facility.
St. Martha’s Place, Banff: Anita Battrum (right) with her dog Misko visiting resident Betty Reinhardt (left). Misko is a very sweet mixed-breed rescue dog owned by Anita, a retired nurse. Anita’s dad is now a resident at St. Martha’s Place and he, along with many of the other residents there, loves Misko’s visits.
St. Martha’s Place, Banff: Terry Willis with his therapy dogs CB (left) and Never Mind, or Never for short (right). Never loves people, other dogs and trips to St. Martha's. His favourite hobbies are sleeping, chewing sticks, stealing gloves and slippers, and carrying home the mail. Terry is a long-standing pet therapy volunteer, and the residents love his huge Leonberger "bear" dogs, who are as docile as can be. Never and Terry currently visit the residents at St. Martha's once a month. Terry is also a member of Banff’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team and a great example of staff going above and beyond to give their time back as volunteers.
St. Martha’s Place, Banff: Linda Bowman is a long-term staff member working as a Health Care Aide (HCA) at St. Martha’s. She volunteers with her little dachshund, Myla, and also volunteers her time tending to the St. Martha’s garden. Myla may be 13 years old, but doesn’t look a day over six! Myla was adopted from the SPCA after her previous owner passed away. Her previous owner was an elderly lady, so Myla is very comfortable with the residents. The residents love her, especially Betty and Margot.
St. Martha’s Place, Banff: Tyson is a very friendly (and lazy) Boston terrier who would much rather spend time with a human pack than with other dogs. His favourite pastime is cuddling on the couch and playing ball. Betty, a resident at St. Martha's, knows when Tyson is coming and waits about five feet inside the door, anxiously awaiting his arrival. Tyson will sit on her lap in her wheelchair while Tyson and owner Rob Silver wander around the halls visiting other residents. Rob adds, “There is a resident at St. Martha's who only speaks in his native tongue unless he is visiting with Tyson … then he’ll speak English to Tyson. Many of the nurses have been very surprised hearing him speak English for the first time!”
St. Mary’s Health Care Centre, Trochu, and Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital, Castor: Amigo is a 10-year-old Shih Tzu cross who has been visiting St. Mary's for more than six years and, more recently, enjoying life at Our Lady of the Rosary. He belongs to Nicholas Wasylowich, the chaplain at both sites. Amigo is welcomed and loved by the residents and staff every time she arrives. Amigo loves to come to the sites and is noticeably disappointed when not permitted to come to work. Amigo is a true farm dog who loves running, swimming and chasing cows and horses. Nicholas is actively considering writing a book about Amigo's life.
Villa Caritas, Edmonton: Maggie (left) and Jay Hough (right) have been a pet therapy team for about five years. Being a volunteer visitor is a win-win-win proposition for the patients, for Jay and for Maggie. The patients enjoy Maggie's loving, friendly manner—and her tricks, of course! Maggie loves being the centre of attention and getting lots of pets and treats. Jay loves seeing a patient smile.
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