SHARE Kinzie, a gentle Sheltie, is 'a natural' therapy dog. Kinzie always goes to the patient first. 'She just knows,' said handler Betty Wiese. Kaiden, a 4-year-old terrier, enjoys some lap time. Patient Mary and her twin sister Shary enjoy the company of canine companion Kaiden and handler Karen Herbst at the Scully-Welsh Cancer Center at Indian River Medical Center.

By Elaine Ryan, The Newsweekly

Since groundbreaking patient care has always been a priority at Indian River Medical Center, it should come as no surprise the hospital has implemented a Pet Therapy Program at the Scully-Welsh Cancer Center.

The use of animals in medical settings has been around for more than 150 years, but it wasn't until the late 1970s that researchers started looking more closely at the patient-pet bond.

In recent years, it has been noted that interactions with animals can actually increase our levels of oxytocin, a hormone responsible for feelings of happiness

Monday through Friday between 10:00 am and noon, teams of handlers and their therapy dogs make their way around the Cancer Center to visit patients receiving treatment.

Each handler-canine team volunteers for one hour. A total of two teams volunteer each day.

Currently, there are ten teams which handle those shifts. Sometimes the extent of the visit might be limited to a wave from a hospital bed to a dog outside the room. Other patients might request longer visits, asking for the dog to sit in his or her lap and stay a while.

R. Scott Duncan is the volunteer coordinator of the John W. Scully Volunteer Program. He has volunteered his entire career, joining the Cancer Center in the fall of 2014.

He and Lori McCormick, the Medical Center's director of Oncology Services, conceptualized and spearheaded the Pet Therapy Program early this year. It has been received with enormous enthusiasm among patients and staff.

Certified

"Research has shown that the presence of pets reduces blood pressure and helps to calm anxiety," said Duncan. "The dogs really do calm the patients and their families. They brighten everyone's day — including the staff. Everyone looks forward to seeing the dogs."

The dogs in the Pet Therapy Program are certified therapy animals whose owners must complete the volunteer program at the hospital.

Duncan then meets each team to ensure they are a good fit for the Cancer Center's program. Most of the dogs are small breeds, such as Yorkies and Shelties, but some are medium-sized, such as standard poodles.

They are particularly welcomed by patients who are not able to have a pet at home. The Pet Therapy Program provides them with warm interaction and connection with four-legged friends.

The dogs are a welcome distraction, too. Their visits help pass the time while patients receive treatments.

Inspiration

Mary is a current patient at the Cancer Center. Wearing a beautifully crocheted hat her mother made, Mary says she has lived in Vero Beach for more than 30 years. Her twin sister, Shary, attends every treatment with her and they look forward to the therapeutic visits with the dogs.

"It inspires and moves me," said Mary. "It is nice to not just think about cancer while we are here. I hope and pray they grow the program and it goes further."

Karen Herbst is the handler for Kaiden, a 4-year-old terrier with a perpetually wagging tail. They volunteer once a week, seeing an average of six patients each time.

"Kaiden was trained as a hospice volunteer and certified as a therapy dog," said Herbst. "A friend told me about the Pet Therapy Program, and I knew Kaiden would be perfect. He's a natural. He's gentle and very even-tempered. He really is just special in that regard."

A natural

Betty Wiese brings her counterpart Kinzie, a 3-year-old Sheltie, to lift spirits once a week. With two show titles, a therapy dog certification, and endless hours of obedience training to her credit, Kinzie has a sixth sense, according to her owner.

"I took her to a dog club and they said she would be a good therapy dog. When she's in a waiting room full of people, Kinzie always goes to the patient first. She just knows," said Wiese.

Dr. Chuck Stewart, a Vero Beach resident since 1986, owns and operates Live Oak Animal Hospital. As a veterinarian, he sees many furry patients. But he has also seen the health benefits of the interaction between patient and dogs.

Stewart has close ties to a cancer survivor, and agrees that pet therapy is a wonderful option.

"Dogs provide company and comfort without questions. People always want to ask questions about cancer, but dogs do not," said Stewart.

"Dogs are a positive distraction for patients when receiving infusions. They help take away some of the isolation of the illness because dogs bring people together. People tend to gravitate and gather around the animal."

Unconditional

Consistently, Duncan has heard patients say that dogs provide an unmatched unconditional love. Regardless of the state of their illness or list of their symptoms, patients agree that the dogs see them with unbiased eyes.

"This is a great program. My dog inspired me to get involved," said volunteer Betty Wiese. "This is a great opportunity to give back to the community. The support of the staff and patients and the doctors has been so positive. Some of the doctors will get on the floor and play with the dogs and the nurses are just wonderful."

When asked what the most gratifying part of his position is, Duncan didn't hesitate.

"I enjoy the dogs and what they do for the patients. They really help patients through a difficult time. The dogs are good for everyone — they are like a breath of fresh air."