
Bo the Therapy Dog’s ICU Encounter
Bo and I are also registered volunteers to go into a couple of the hospitals in our area. One evening, everything started out as usual: Bo proudly walked through the lobby of the hospital, ready to work, and we checked in on the computer at the welcome desk. We proceeded to the elevator, up to a patient floor and down the corridor to one of the patient towers. We went room to room visiting with patients and putting smiles on faces. A normal visit is approximately one hour long since that is what most dogs can handle on each visit. There was still time after making it around this patient tower and we headed back toward the elevators to find patients to visit on another floor.
Well, that was the initial plan, but Bo had other ideas. Somehow, she knew there was one more person that needed her.
It’s amazing what our dogs can sense. There is a small waiting area near the elevators for the ICU unit. Bo insisted that she needed to go into this area where there was a group of people hanging out. They were obviously upset about their loved one in the hospital. Bo turned on her natural charm as we approached the family. They were thrilled to pet and give Bo some attention and asked if we were allowed to go into the ICU rooms. I explained to them that yes, we have permission to go into most areas of the hospital, including the ICU. They asked us to go to the room where their family member was.
Bo walked into the room and right up next to the hospital bed. I have no idea what was wrong with the gentleman in the bed or even how old he was. There was a towel across his eyes and forehead, so he wasn’t able to see us either. Bo was the perfect height for the gentleman to just put his hand over the side of the bed and pet her. There are only certain people that Bo will choose to stay next to for quite a length of time, but Bo stood there for as long as the man wanted to run his fingers through her hair. Several of the family members in the room were in tears and couldn’t thank us enough for taking the time to come in to give him the opportunity to have the contact with one of his favorite animals.
I have no idea how dogs can sense when people need a bit of love and kindness from them.They do notice when you’re upset and try to do what they can to comfort you in their own special way. Somehow Bo knew that this family needed a bit of her therapy magic that evening. We left the hospital knowing that Bo had done a great job and made a real difference in the lives of the people she touched that evening.
Does your dog know when you need extra love and care? Share in the comments.
Tags: dog, healthcare, therapydogs, therapypets
Bo the #Therapy Dog’s ICU Encounter: http://t.co/K8SHxDQh | #PHCBlogs #pettherapy #animals #bo #husky #pets #dogs
Jill, the value of what you and Bo provide for people is simply beyond measure. On several occasions, I’ve been at nursing homes and/or assisted living facilities when a therapy dog and owner visit, and it’s simply amazing to see the joy and happiness on the faces of the residents. Thank you for sharing your remarkable dog with those who are most in need!
This is sad and sweet at the same time. I hope that gentlemen and his family are doing well! Thank you Bo!
Jill, thank you for that touching story!
What a great story, Jill. Thank you for sharing! ~Nichole
Great story. We need more therapy dogs to help sooth people in pain. We dogs do know things you people don’t know.
That was a heartwarming story – even though he was never seen, and probably never saw Bo, I am sure he was comforted by the touch and presence of Bo. Thank you so much for passing this story along.
Bo the Therapy Dog’s ICU Encounter | Pet Health Central Blog – http://t.co/OXuDOUEt
Wonderful Story: Bo the Therapy Dog’s ICU Encounter http://t.co/FQdOcfgu via @sergeantspet
this brought tears to my eyes!!! nice job, BO!
My 2nd service dog, Gillis, (I’m on dog #3 now), was so in tune with me that he learned to detect when my spasticity was up… and when I would be more startled and have a spastic seizure… and protect me from those. When I did retire him, he was rehomed as a seizure alert dog (he wouldn’t stop working – he wouldn’t allow my next dog to take over, so I had to give him up).
Thank you Pet Health Central http://t.co/dLv6JiTZ
I agree animals know when you are not feeling right and they are there for your love!
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[…] This article about Bo, a therapy dog, warmed my heart. Bo and her human volunteer had been cheering up the patients on one floor of the hospital, and the human thought they would take the elevator to another floor to see a few more patients before it was time to go home. […]