Therapy dogs spread Christmas cheer to Calgary hospital patients and staff
Spending the holidays in the hospital can be one of the most stressful experiences, but a group of four-legged friends are providing comfort and companionship to patients that need it most.
The St. John Ambulance therapy dog program reaches out to thousands of people across Canada on a daily basis, including sick or lonely Calgarians residing in long-term care or mental-health or hospital facilities.
For elderly patients like Arlene Stevens, petting a dog provides an extra sense of relief as she receives care at Calgary’s South Health Campus.
“These dogs understand that you’re sick and they can really feel your emotions,” Stevens said.
“Especially during the holidays. I haven’t seen anybody in the last couple of days and it can be really hard on people, so it’s nice to have this visit.”
The therapy dog program includes a team of 16 dogs at the South Health Campus in partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS) volunteers.
Caiden Brackenbury, 10, says the dogs help get his mind off the treatment he’s receiving.
“They’re so very nice. They’re calm and nice-looking,” Brackenbury said.
“It makes me feel happy inside and better.”
With extra strain on the health care system during the holidays, volunteers like Karen and Scott O’Brien say demand for the program is highest at this time of year.
The couple brought in their Golden Retriever dogs, Rook and Banks, to bring extra joy to patients Thursday and the response was overwhelming.
Scott says it’s the best part of his day.
“It’s so fantastic to watch people interact with the dogs, to see them relax, to see them smile, and to say those magic words that we love to hear, that ‘you just made my day.’”
With extra strain on the health care system during the holidays, volunteers say demand for the therapy dog program is highest at this time of year.
For Karen, it’s equally as important to her that she sees staff members getting a short break from the day-to-day stress of working inside an emergency room.
“There’s a lot going on for them. They're tired, they're overstressed, they come in and they pet the dog and they go, ‘I needed that.’”
The therapy dog program includes a team of 16 dogs at the South Health Campus in partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS) volunteers.
AHS volunteer co-ordinator Michelle Beemster says members of the volunteer team are stepping up more than ever this holiday season.
“People are picking up extra shifts,” Beemster said.
“We have one volunteer coming in on Christmas Day to spend time on our mental-health and addictions unit with the patients there, so it's really rewarding just to see them want to participate and want to come into that as well.”
For more information on how to become a therapy dog volunteer with St. John Ambulance, you can visit their website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.