Bringing comfort and joy
Published 8:40 pm Wednesday, December 31, 2008
MUKILTEO — Felda doesn’t have a medical degree or a nursing license, yet she visits patients at the hospital every Friday evening.
For two hours, she pads from room to room at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett helping relieve anxiety, lower stress levels and bring comfort to the lonely.
After all, it’s in her job description.
Felda is a comfort dog, a three-year-old Labrador retriever from the Delta Society, a group that provides domesticated animals to hospitals, schools and nursing homes.
As far as volunteer work goes, it’s perfect for a dog like Felda. The black Lab enjoys being lavished with so much positive attention, said owner Katie Skurok.
“Most people are ecstatic to see her. She’s so lovable,” Skurok said.
Skurok, 36, works at Providence and raises guide dogs for the Delta Society. Felda was in the training program to become a guide dog but washed out. Skurok adopted Felda and began training her to be a comfort dog.
“Just because she didn’t make it as a guide dog doesn’t mean she can’t work as a therapy dog,” Skurok said. “It’s rewarding to allow Felda to continue to help someone even if she isn’t a guide dog.”
The comfort dog and pet partner program includes cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and horses, said JoAnn Turnbull of the Delta Society in Bellevue. If an animal can be domesticated, chances are that it can be used to help treat myriad physical and mental conditions.
“A lot of different places such as hospitals recognize the value of having pet partners as part of their offerings,” Turnbull said. “We’re seeing a growing demand as health cares professionals are exposed to the advantages. As they do, the demand increases.”
When training is complete, the comfort dogs are put to the test. Felda was evaluated on her ability to maneuver around wheelchairs and walkers and to obey simple commands. She also received a thorough veterinary checkup.
Skurok didn’t get off easy either — she had paperwork.
Skurok and Felda tour Providence once a week. They begin their rounds in the waiting room, spending time with the family of patients then take an elevator to the seventh floor, visiting each room. They work each floor, one room and one patient at a time.
“I poke my head in the door and ask if they want a visit from a comfort dog and we go from there,” Skurok said. “Most patients really want to see the dog.”
Skurok hands out treats to patients to feed Felda. That is reward for the pooch’s volunteer work.
Skurok’s reward is watching the dog make so many people happy.
Wendy Turner is the manager of volunteer services at Providence and she views comfort dogs as a unique tool that helps meet the physical and emotional needs of patients.
“The dogs pick up where human interaction leaves off. They don’t ask any uncomfortable questions, there are no awkward silences,” Turner said.
She regularly get’s calls from registered nurses asking when Skurok and Felda will next visit.
Turner told a story about a woman who came to the hospital to deliver her first child. She arrived at 6 a.m. looking flustered and anxious. Turner asked her if she would like a visit from a comfort dog.
Less than 30 minutes later, Felda was there. She and Skurok stayed by her side until they induced labor three hours later.
“The visit helped her relax. I don’t think I’d be able to find anyone on such short notice,” Turner said. “She shows a lot of dedication with how much she cares for people.”
Skurok hopes she will be able to volunteer at other area hospitals and work with children.
“Katie has worked very hard with Felda,” Turner said. “She is the right fit for us.”
Reporter Justin Arnold: 425-339-3432 or jarnold@heraldnet.com.
More information
For more information on the Delta Society or to learn how to volunteer, call 425-679-5500 or go to www.deltasociety.org.
