The newest Rice Hospice volunteers don't drink coffee or drive a car, but they can still decrease patient anxiety and stress, provide a diversion from physical discomfort, and make their patients laugh or smile. Visits from pet therapy dogs can also reduce incidences of depression, alleviate social and emotional isolation and boredom, and expand communication and comfort for the grieving. A visit from a calm, friendly dog might just be the best medicine for many patients.

The new program has been over a year in the making. Rice Hospice introduced the program in Fall 2009 by inviting everyone to a community information session led by Molly Johnson of Canine Comfort, Neenah, Wis. Interested handlers and their dogs were interviewed and evaluated. Six dogs were chosen to attend Canine University training.

They needed to pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Test (follow, sit, stay, come and down commands). Next, each dog and their handler had to pass three observations at Bethesda Heritage in Willmar, for the Therapy Dog Incorporated Tests. They were exposed to patients with oxygen, rolling food carts, food odors, loud and gushy family members, alarms and buzzers, elevators, and stairs. All six dogs passed with flying colors!

The dogs wear special vests and name tags identifying them as pet therapy dogs on patient visits. Mary Seifert, Rice Hospice Volunteer, coordinates referrals for the pet therapy visits and Evy Hatjistilianos, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, oversees the program. The Pet Therapy Program was made possible with a gift from a former patient's estate designated for pet therapy, and additional funding was designated from the 2009 Heinie Ridler Memorial Golf Tournament.

Welcome Rice Hospice's first six Pet Therapy dogs and their handlers
Pictured left to right:

Gunner and Shelly Vilven, Willmar - Shelly works at Rice Hospice in Willmar
Maxine and Kathy Oakes, Ortonville/Graceville - Kathy is a Rice Hospice volunteer
Monet and Glennis Peterson, Willmar - Glennis is a Rice Hospice volunteer
Oliver and Dolly Lyngen, Montevideo - Dolly is a Rice Hospice volunteer
Sugar and Linda Just, Willmar - Linda works in the Operating Room at Rice Memorial Hospital
Cookie and Betsy Hallberg, Willmar - Betsy is a Rice Hospice volunteer