One morning, we visited a hospice patient at a care facility in Lexington. As soon as we entered her room, I could tell something special was happening. The patient smiled right away and reached out to pet me. She told Mary that I reminded her of her own little dog, Domino, who had passed away a few years earlier.

I stayed close while they talked.

We were there for about thirty minutes, which was a long time for me. I love people, but I’m not a lap dog, and I prefer to keep my independence. Still, something told me this woman needed me in a different way.

So, I climbed up to the foot of her bed, curled into a small ball, and went to sleep.

I don’t usually do that. In fact, Mary says I’ve never done that before on a therapy visit. But sometimes, you just know when a person needs something only a dog can give, the gift of presence.

When it was time to leave, I wasn’t done working. I drew smiles from staff and visitors in the hallway, along with more pets and moments of connection.

Later, Mary spoke with the patient’s daughter, who said something that made my tail wag all over again:
 
“You and Callie have just made my day. Mom was so happy.”

That’s why therapy dogs do what we do. And it’s why the humans who volunteer with us matter so much. One visit can bring comfort, spark memories, and remind patients and families that joy and connection are still possible, even during the hardest moments.

Want to Join Our Pawsome Team?

We’re restarting our Volunteer Animal-Assisted Therapy Program, and we’re looking for compassionate volunteers and their certified therapy animals to join us.



If you and your animal partner are interested in bringing comfort, calm, and connection to patients and families when it matters most, we’d love to hear from you.

Learn more: www.bgcarenav.org/volunteer or call 855.492.0812