Pets in the hospital

[Gail]

Last night I took Spooky, our Weimaraner, to visit my friends in the hospital. This dear old couple love dogs and always had a dog until they became too old to keep one anymore.

Spooky was a bit timid in a new place, but that is the nature of Weims. Still, she did beautifully.

Having never done this before, I was amazed at the interest in her by staff and patients. One patient on a gurney in the hallway sat up with a lighted face and started a conversation.

People were eager to tell me about other dogs that have dropped in- a Shepherd cross, a Bichon Frise, and a huge Great Dane/mastiff cross.

Even as we were outside waiting for our ride a man in a wheelchair approached and began conversation with us.

I think I will be doing this again! :)

[phkrause]

Last night I took Spooky, our Weimaraner, to visit my friends in the hospital. This dear old couple love dogs and always had a dog until they became too old to keep one anymore.

Spooky was a bit timid in a new place, but that is the nature of Weims. Still, she did beautifully.

Having never done this before, I was amazed at the interest in her by staff and patients. One patient on a gurney in the hallway sat up with a lighted face and started a conversation.

People were eager to tell me about other dogs that have dropped in- a Shepherd cross, a Bichon Frise, and a huge Great Dane/mastiff cross.

Even as we were outside waiting for our ride a man in a wheelchair approached and began conversation with us.

I think I will be doing this again!

Well that's interesting, I didn't know pets could or were allowed into hospitals.

[Amelia]

I think it just depends on the hospital. I have heard of Llamas, ponies and donkeys visiting hospitals in addition to dogs and cats.

Gail I think that's great. Maybe you can get Spooky a visiting therapy pet certification.

[Gerr]

I read of a dog that made regular rounds in a nursing home. It was welcomed and loved. It even knew who were about to die. It is a known fact that people who live alone and have pets do a lot better than those who don't.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

One night after visiting hours when my Dad was in the hospital following surgery, I took my dog, Rudy, in to see my Dad. He thought that was great! Then we went in to the ER to visit my RN friends. In the ER was a little girl who had fractured her leg and was scared to death. She saw Rudy, and her little face just lit up, so I took Rudy over to so she could pet and talk to him. Her parents were thrilled that something like that happened, and that their child wasn't so frightened.

But I entered the hospital through the back way, because I knew if certain people saw me I'd probably get into trouble.

Woof!

[Gail]

I read of a dog that made regular rounds in a nursing home. It was welcomed and loved. It even knew who were about to die. It is a known fact that people who live alone and have pets do a lot better than those who don't.

I have heard about dogs that were very intuitive like that. The Vizsla breed is one of them... I was in contact with a breeder whose dam worked in a daycare and knew the different dispositions of the children and adjusted itself accordingly.

[Gail]

Amelia, I would like to look into that. This was one of the reasons we selected the breed of the second pup as we did.

Pam, that is SO COOL!