Since birth Patty Moffett knew she wanted to be a nurse because she wanted to make a difference in her community. After working in critical care, ER and as a school nurse for most of her career, she knew in her heart it was time for a change. A nurse friend suggested hospice. No one in her family thought she could do it because of her tender heart, but after almost nine years, Patty still loves her job as much as the day she started.

“If my patients have a peaceful death than I feel like I’ve done my job,” Patty said. “That’s my final gift that I can give to the patients who are dying. In return their caregivers and families get a wonderful gift because their loved ones don’t suffer.”

As the daughter of a doctor, Patty never considered another career. She loved listening to her dad’s stories and watching him advocate for his patients. After she started nursing school, she worked alongside her dad during the summers. One day a patient came who needed treatment but had no money to pay. Her dad told the woman not to worry, but to pay as she could.

After the patient left, Patty questioned her dad, because they, too, had bills to pay. Her dad’s reply stuck with her. “If you’re going into this field for money, you’re doing it for the wrong reason, so you need to really think long and hard before you continue,” he said.

Patty believes her dad’s compassion changed the course of her career and the why behind the tasks she does.

“I love people and I want all people to have a good life as best as they can,” she said. “I want to keep them comfortable and let them enjoy their families and have a good quality of life for however long that is. And if I can provide that for them, then I’ve brought that gift to patients and caregivers.”

Patty’s heart to help others doesn’t stop after she’s seen her last patient. Two years ago, she, her husband and son Matthew, joined Team Rosie, becoming the handlers for one of BCN’s therapy dogs. One evening a week, the family takes Rosie to visit patients at the Bluegrass Hospice Care Center at UK Healthcare.

“It’s basically become my family’s mission,” she said. “We enjoy doing that together and it’s just neat to watch my child, who has autism and cerebral palsy, and that I was told would never walk or talk, go out and minister to these families and patients of ours.”

Every visit is different, but Patty remembers one patient specifically. The patient was in respiratory distress, non-verbal and missing their dog. After entering the room, Matthew looked at his mom and asked if he could put the patient’s hand on Rosie’s head.

“We just watched the transformation before our eyes,” she said. “The patient’s breathing settled down and we saw the muscles go from tense to totally relaxed. Even though the patient couldn’t talk, we know that Rosie touched that person and gave them a sense of calm.”

If you’re interested in joining Team BCN as a volunteer or in a clinical or administrative role, visit our website at bgcarenav.org.