Gus and Beckham are two therapy dogs trained to let strangers pet them and shake their paws. If there are smiles all around and some laughter, the dogs have done their job.
Radiation Oncologist Dr. Alan Beckman has Gus on a leash attached to a blue harness. The four-year-old, cream-colored Golden Retriever even has a hospital ID attached to his harness, complete with his name, picture, and the official title of “volunteer.”
Dr. Beckman said Gus connects with people, especially those who are dealing with a lot of stress.
“He'll just meet and greet and then say hi, let them pet on him, and then he'll just lay down at their feet, usually. And it's interesting how he will usually go to people that are the most stressed or distressed. I don't know if he can sense that or he senses something, because he tends to go to people that need it the most,”he said.
On a recent visit to a cancer treatment waiting room Dr. Beckman and Gus spent a few minutes with each person. He wagged his tail, loved being petted, and shook hands with his paw. Tammy Counts, a family member of a patient, sat by herself and welcomed a visit with Gus.
“Sugar, can you shake? You shake? Oh, you're a good boy. That's a good job. Oh, you're a sweetheart. I bet you make people smile. I think it's a great place to have a therapy dog would be here because a lot of people need an added support. So, it's amazing. He has just got that perfect attitude and personality,” she said.
Dr. Beckman agrees his dog not only helps patients and their families, but the hospital staff also benefits.
“The people that are the caregivers, which are in the medical field and taking care of the patients have a stress level as well, and they are caring individuals that are technically excellent at their job, but also emotionally invested. And that is a stress on a different level that you know because they care. He gives them a little something to think about, and, you know, an animal to pet and to love on periodically,” he said.
Michele Kibbe is on the radiation treatment team, and had a big smile when Gus walked over to her work desk.
“He's just a joy to have here. He keeps us relaxed. We enjoy him as much as the patients,” he said.
Gus is rewarded by the staff who keep treats stockpiled.
“We are giving him Zooks, mini naturals, they're peanut butter and oat recipe. They're training treats so that he doesn't have too many calories during the day.”
Another therapy dog named Beckham is also spreading joy at the hospital. He may weigh only 20-pounds, but Beckham, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shih Tzu mix, walks around confidently. His owner, Sandra Kelley, recalled what one patient said about him.
“One patient told me, I think he thinks he owns this place.” Kelley says Beckham can’t wait to go to work at the hospital. “When I get this outfit on, this blue shirt and black pants and get his vest, he starts jumping around, just so excited. He's going to work. I've had a lot of people stop me and said when we walk down the hall, his tails wagging. He's smiling.”
The experience is also rewarding for the therapy dog owners. Kelley, who is a retired nurse practitioner, wanted to give back.
“I've always felt called to make a difference in the lives of other people. I love dogs. There's a lot of people that love dogs, and they really do help. They calm people. What you saw in the cancer unit, you'll see anywhere we go, even staff. It just helps brighten their day a little bit,” she said.
Dr. Beckman sees a lot of positives with the therapy dog visits.
“It's a win, win, win, because the patients get something out of it, positive, the staff get something out of it, and Gus gets something out of it. So, if Gus were not doing this, like on his days off, he would be at home on the couch or on the floor waiting for us to come home, and instead, he gets to hang out here and have social interactions. And he's a social dog.”
Yes, he is. Job well done Gus and Beckham.
