Therapy Dogs
The clinics are well known for the dogs that are an essential part of the day to day experiences for the patients. Everyone looks forward to seeing a glimpse of the pups and hoping for an actual visit. But very few actually know of just how the dogs came to be a part of the clinic. Now is the time to find out:
I’ve always had dogs. The family had dogs, when I moved out and started my educational carrier, dogs were an important part of my life. My first dog was a Black Cocker Spaniel named Bogey. He traveled everywhere with me through moves from Augusta, Georgia to Charleston, to Nashville, to Dallas, to Houston, Richmond, back to Augusta and finally to Philadelphia where he was laid to rest at the age of 18. He set the standard of going everywhere I went. When I was working as a Forensic Toxicologist I would tie a latex glove filled with Helium to his collar. Then I could always find out where he was by watching the “glove on a string” moving through the lab benches of finally finding a good place to lay down. He did have a slight drinking problem and if anyone set down a beer, he would make sure he got a sample. Interdepartmental softball Games were always interesting when the opposing players took the files and left their cups on the bench. Bogey would just go down the row sampling each cup in turn until he would finally fall asleep; waiting for the ride home with the occasional belch of approval of his time spent at the game. I probably should have found a Doggy 12 step program for him (but as a dog it would have been an 84 step program) but as his drinking was more intermittent binging he never met the NIH definition of a problem drinker plus getting him to recognize the 12 step program would be problematic. But he was happy, never drove, was never a mean drunk and never missed an obligation due to his drinking and honestly probably contributed to his happy and full 18 years of life as my constant companion.
Several dogs followed in his paw prints during my residency and through my first jobs as a physician. Unfortunately there were several prohibitions of my Best Friends following me into the Hospital Emergency Rooms. One notable friend during this time was Taz; a rescue Springer Spaniel who was essential in my surviving Residency in Philadelphia. While he had to ensure long hours while I was in the hospital, I arranged a schedule of dog loving, pretty nurses to see that he had plenty of attention, exercise, and companionship. One of the smartest dogs I have ever known who could walk down the streets of Philadelphia with voice command only, a stick or ball in his mouth; know his toys by name, and would empty the refrigerator one can of Diet Dr Pepper at a time if I didn’t bungee the door closed. Unfortunately, I left him with my now ex-wife during the last month of my residency; whereupon she decided he was too much to handle and without my knowledge, returned him to Springer Rescue. My heart was truly broken. However, Taz became an employee of the Virginia Department of Corrections and became one of only four dogs ever trained to sniff out cell phones in the prison system. I saw the bond he had with his new owner and the fast he now had a regular job, I didn’t have the heart to demand his return (the marriage however was destined to fail; She forced me to choose, so choose I did.)
This brings us to the greatest part of my life. I decided I was going to give up the ER and open Urgent Care. And from day 1 my new companion Ruckus was a big part of it all. Ruckus was a brown Field Spaniel. Now people always ask how did I choose that particular breed. Well, one day I was on the computer looking for supplies for the new Urgent Care and a Pop-up window came up with “What’s the best dog for you?” I thought, What the hell and took the test. Answered like 50 questions and the results listed: 1) Field Spaniel, 2) Springer Spaniel and 3) Cocker Spaniel. Well, I had no idea what a Field Spaniel was; never heard of them. So, now it’s off to the rabbit hole of the internet. And there he was: Field Spaniel: Intelligent, loyal, good tempered, Great family dog but usually bond to one family member. The pictures showed a regal Spaniel with great flowing ears and soulful, loving eyes.
Next stop: Field Spaniel Puppies for sale. A quick search found several breeders with one having actual puppies available now! Minor catch, the puppies were in Boston and I’m in Gainesville. One Amex charge later and I’m on a plane for Boston to meet this sweet, smelling of puppy breath, furry, licking, pot bellied, bundle of fur that immediately claimed me as his new best friend.
And there you have it; Ruckus became the Patriarch of the clinic supervising every level of construction. He was there for every bit of concrete, dry wall, plumbing and electrical cable. Every day from the grand opening on he is there to greet the patients and personally greet the kids for a chance for an ear rub or a pat on the back. Patients knew Ruckus more than they knew me. Thus began the association with Dr. Perry’s clinics and dogs.
As Ruckus grew a bit older it was time to add to the pack. Naturally, the first place I call is the Breeder where I got Ruckus. As luck would have it there was one puppy left still not spoken for. To add to the perfect picture, he was born on the anniversary of the clinic! That was all I needed (plus one more Amex charge to Boston) and Rowdy now came into our lives and clinics.
Soon to follow were Watson, a Sport Retriever (Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever cross) which officially belonged to my sister. So, before she claimed him I contacted the breeder where Watson came from and there was Sherlock’s picture on the Discount Aisle. It was PayPal this time and now Sherlock was part of the pack. Sherlock has been an absolute joy. Way smart and the sweetest and most gentle dog of all the pack. Absolutely loves the attention of kids and second to swimming adores sitting up on a spare chair and watching the whole process of patient care “in case he is needed for anything”. So, 11 months later Watson hitched a ride to Hawaii with my sister and Sherlock stepped right in as the Top Dog.
My love for dogs certainly was not unique as several of the providers started bringing their dogs to the clinic to actually have a real job. But, I did draw the line at the companion animal that was allowed to join the staff. I vetoed cats immediately (I’ve had cats in the past) but it comes down to the basic premise that Dogs are domesticated, if you were to die at home, your dog would lay there and mourn your leaving while a cat would start sampling the juicier parts). Various requests were made to include a pot bellied pig, a pet squirrel, a tortoise, and a pet fish. All were declined and the position was open only to the canine partners.
That being said, we have had Lucy, a Boston Terrier Princess, who is usually happiest sitting on the lap of the front receptionist with her favorite blanket. We also have Josie, a border mix who is extremely sweet – just be sure to watch your food near her. She’s not opposed to “sharing.”
Our latest potential therapy dog is Teddy; a beautiful (but a bit lazy) Golden Retriever. Teddy just joined our staff and is just getting her clinic paws under her. But like all Goldens, a huge smile with fur.
It was Aristotle who said that he would always trust a dog who didn’t like men; but never trust a man who didn’t like dogs.
I have found this to be true in the sense that whenever one of the dogs insists on going in a room, there is always someone who is a dog person willing to give a few ear or belly rubs. Conversely, if Sherlock turns away and looks at me with his tail tucked, that room will be a problem. Guaranteed to be a patient carrying emotional issues on both shoulders or someone who does not appreciate the healing qualities of our canine staff but even carries outright hatred of the dogs efforts make the patient’s visit more fulfilling. But, as Mark Twain said, dogs possess all of our virtues but none of our vices and will always be a part of my practice. God’s only mistake was giving them too short a life expectancy compared to the joy they add to our lives.
