Kudos to Mon Valley Hospital Extending Care to 4-Legged Friends
Mon Valley Hospital gets a lot of help from their 4-legged volunteers. You can read all about some of the amazing work these seemingly ordinary dogs (and one special cat) have performed for patients and staff at Mon Valley in The Power of Wagging Tails. Therapy dogs are full-opportunity givers — they give their services freely to patients, staff, family members and visitors, and pretty much anyone in need of some comfort or cheer.
Yesterday, Mon Valley returned the favor by providing comfort and companionship to an unusual family member who accompanied an out-of-state truck driver to the hospital after an accident. This family member was a Jack Russell terrier! You can read the full story of this amazing care here. What you’ll read about is how the caring staff in a busy emergency department took the time to care for both the injured trucker and his faithful companion, using a makeshift leash with some oxygen tubing and taking a visit to the store to buy the dog food and treats. The dog even accompanied one of the workers home to get a break from the chaos of the hospital until one of the trucker’s friends could come.
This loving care of this dear terrier likely had far reaching effects. This little pup likely helped add a bit of joy to a stressed staff in the emergency department who benefited from unofficial therapy dog services. The patient was probably greatly relieved to know his dog wasn’t hurt, wasn’t lost, and was being cared for. And this man’s friend will forever remember the amazing care a group of people extended to a little dog, which will be a blessing to him that he’ll likely pass on and share with others. And all of those reading this story will hope that they’ll open their hearts to those in need and may smile a little more the next time they see a busy nurse, remembering the awesome and too often un-applauded caring work performed by nurses and other healthcare workers.
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