Pet Therapy Program Brings Man’s Best Friend to Patients at UK HealthCare

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 3, 2016) – The Pet Therapy Program run through the Volunteer Office at UK HealthCare gives volunteers the chance to let man’s best friend brighten the days of people who need it most. Developed in the past few years, the program has volunteers and pets that visit patients in the Markey Cancer Center and the Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

Kathryn Allen and Bosco, her three-year-old golden retriever, are two participants in the program. Allen and Bosco spend two hours a week visiting patients at Markey. When Allen began the program, she knew she wanted to work at the cancer center. Her own work as a physician’s assistant helped Allen see the need to cheer up patients when they are going through a stressful experience. After seeing a story on another therapy dog used in hospice care, Allen said she was “really moved by the story,” and decided to get involved in UK’s program.

For the past year, Allen and Bosco have been working with Love on a Leash to complete the certification process to participate in pet therapy. First, Allen had to decide if Bosco had the right disposition to work closely with patients who range in age and severity of health issues.

It’s important that pet therapy animals are obedient and have a gentle disposition. The certification process officially began with Bosco receiving a Good Citizen certification from the American Kennel Club. After that step was completed, a pet can begin working with Love on a Leash where they are observed for 10 visits where they serve a therapeutic role. Bosco was observed visiting nursing homes, at reading programs with children at local libraries and visiting the Veteran Affairs hospital. Pet handlers must also ensure their pet’s immunizations are up-to-date.

On Friday mornings, Allen and Bosco spend their time visiting patients at Markey and they start their day by stopping at the nurses’ station in the Ben F. Roach Building and getting the names of patients that would like a visit. Bosco spends five to 10 minutes visiting patients and comforting them by letting them pet him. Allen said she sees the change in patients’ mood immediately. “Every time they see the fluffy dog with his tail wagging they perk up,” Allen said.

During a visit to Markey, Bosco and Allen stopped to visit Judith Wilson, a patient from Russell Springs, Kentucky. Wilson has her own pet, a seven-year-old Dachshund, who she’s been missing since she’s been staying in Lexington. Wilson said when she heard the dog was coming to visit, she got excited and was looking forward to the visit. The visit was a nice change from the way days typically go for a patient staying for an extended period of time. “It helps patients, especially if they’re here for a while. It’s a nice change and it’s especially nice if you have pets of your own,” Wilson said.

While the therapy program is very rewarding Allen says potential volunteers should consider what department they’d like to work in and how their dog may function in those situations. Allen also noted that walking around and interacting with patients is very tiring for the pets, but she said Bosco loves it and it makes her feels good to see her family pet bringing joy to patients, as well as doctors and staff when she walks down the halls.

For more information on becoming involved with the Pet Therapy Program contact the volunteer office at UK.Volunteer@uky.edu.  

MEDIA CONTACT: Olivia McCoy, olivia.mccoy1@uky.edu, (859) 257-1076

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