Pet therapy welcomed at Trinity East

STEUBENVILLE - Sherrie Hart carefully approached the woman sitting at a table in the lounge.

"Would you like to see one of our puppies?" Hart asked.

"Oh, I love the dogs when you bring them in here. And you have puppies. They are so cute. They remind me of my dog," responded Ruth Hood.

And in a matter of seconds the long-term care patient at Trinity Medical Center East was smiling and cuddling the 8-week-old English mastiff puppy.

Hood slowly rubbed the young dog's head before Hart and the puppy moved on to another patient.

Once a month Hart, a nurse case manager at Trinity Medical Center West, notifies a list of volunteers who meet at Trinity East to share puppies and companionship with the patients.

The group is known as Paws of Love.

"We start on the ninth floor and work our way down floor by floor. We are very careful to make sure the patient wants to visit with the dogs. And our dogs have been certified for these hospital visits," explained Hart, owner of Hartland Kennels of Cadiz.

According to Hart, "pet therapy, in general, reduces loneliness and boredom and makes people happy. It helps to alleviate anxiety and fear. Studies have shown when dogs come to visit a care facility, there is more laughter and interaction among residents than during any other time.

"Pet therapy is known to diminish emotional and physical pain. Non-responsive patients will move their own limbs just to keep touching an animal. Patients who won't talk to a person will talk to an animal. Tests have shown a dramatic decrease in blood pressure occurs when interacting with an animal," Hart explained.

"I raise long-haired German shepherds and English mastiffs. The shepherds are trained primarily for search and rescue. The English mastiffs actually make great dogs for pet therapy because when they are full grown they can stand beside the patient's bed and look them in the eyes," noted Hart.

"I also raise the mastiffs for dog shows. They are incredibly gentle and patient. They are great dogs to be around," she added.

Hart walked an 8-week-old mastiff puppy into Mary Stover's room.

"Would you like me to put the puppy up here for you?" asked Hart.

"I love puppies. You can put him right here. He is such a cute little puppy with all of those wrinkles," said Stover as she carefully rubbed the puppy's head.

The patients weren't the only people in the hospital waiting to see the puppies and the two 9-month-old German shepherds.

"I heard the shepherds were here so I came over to see them. I recently had to put my German shepherd down, and I have gone through the mourning process and am ready to get another shepherd," said Cathy Morelli, a registered nurse at Trinity East.

"Seeing these dogs tonight means a lot to me. Bringing them here is very therapeutic for the patients and for our staff. We love to see the dogs," added Morelli.

Sheila Werkin, a nurse case manager from Trinity West, also volunteered to accompany Hart on her monthly visit to the hospital.

"My daughter, Monica, is great at getting her girl friends to help us. They can't wait to come here and take the puppies and dogs through the patient rooms," commented Werkin.

"These kids see a side of life that most haven't witnessed, and the residents really enjoy the young people. They enjoy their visits to the hospital and they are learning to help others," observed Hart.

"I learned how beneficial pet therapy is about 10 years ago in Columbus. When I came here several years ago I asked permission to bring the dogs in here. Every visit you witness your dog making a big impact on someone's life. It is pretty amazing," stated Hart.

"New volunteers are always welcome. Anyone interested should contact me at (740) 937-2575. It is a very rewarding experience for everyone involved," Hart noted.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)