Therapy Dog Works Wonders at Maple Grove Hospital
It is National Therapy Animal Day, the perfect opportunity to celebrate the pets that bring people comfort. Maple Grove Hospital has its very own roster of therapy dogs to benefit staff and patients.
If you’re looking for a warm and fuzzy pick-me-up, you might want to call for Birdie, an English cream golden retriever therapy dog. Her handler said the dog’s calm, friendly demeanor was made for this.
“People tell me she’s just the perfect dog,” said Christie Lindemann, who totes Birdie from place-to-place every day.
Necessary Support
But unlike Birdie, hospitals aren’t always warm and fuzzy. In Maple Grove Hospital’s antepartum unit, staff members care for women with high-risk pregnancies. Patients may stay for a few days or for months.
“I’m due June 11. So we are 34 weeks today,” said Sarah Albright, a mom-to-be who just arrived three days ago. “We’re here just because the baby is pretty small. I think, in the one percentile, as of yesterday.”
Albright is in the antepartum unit to help her baby develop until at least week 37. Being in the unit also makes care accessible.
“I actually feel better being here than being at home,” Albright said.
Albright pets Birdie as Christie Lindemann looks on. Birdie’s visited Maple Grove Hospital for the last three years.
It can be a stressful and unpredictable situation to be in, but Albright said her time’s been positive. Part of that is due to her caretakers, but part of it is also because of the work Maple Grove Hospital staff put in to make the space comfortable. There are twice-a-week massages, gift bags and activities. Something people get most excited for, though, is the arrival of dogs like Birdie.
“It just kind of makes you forget about everything that’s going on, right? It’s a distraction,” Albright said.
Albright has a dog at home, so Birdie is a positive distraction. But her calm presence doesn’t just benefit the patients. Tanya Thomas, who works as the Maple Grove Hospital’s perinatal nurse navigator, said she and her coworkers look forward to Birdie’s visits, too.
“She just gives the unconditional love that everyone needs,” Thomas said.
Birdie visits every other week. Thomas said there are also three other dogs that stop by to visit patients. She said the positive moments are like a domino effect.
“To see my patients enjoy that time with Birdie, then I know they are having a good day and had a good moment in their day, amidst all the medical things that we are working on,” Thomas said.
The Power of Pets
This is handler Lindemann’s third therapy dog. Buddy was her first, then Sully and now Birdie. She’s been doing it for 13 years. When asked why she keeps doing it, her answer was simple.
“I’ve seen firsthand the power that they can help someone have a better day,” Lindemann said.
It’s pretty clear: a dog can be a soft spot, no matter what you’re in for.
