Sylvia Aviles of Reading spending time at the Reading Hospital this past Wednesday with Pankhurst, a Yorkshire Terrier owned by Thomas Boyer. Thomas and Pankhurst are a part of Paws for Wellness that provides therapy dogs for patient visits.
In today’s Reading Eagle, there is an article about a presentation the Reading Hospital held on this past Wednesday on “Heart and Soul” ~ The Health Benefits of Pets”.
I know personally without a doubt what pets can do for the soul. I don’t think I would be writing this blog if I didn’t.
What really had an impact on me was when they discussed the positive effects of pets during an illness. I saw a difference it made in my sister’s life six years ago. My sister, Teresa, passed away nearly six years ago from colon cancer. (Just way too young!!) She had an operation to remove a portion of her colon and had been in the hospital for awhile when she met a woman who visited her with her therapy dog.
My sister raved about this dog. Her face lit up when she told me about the dog. Although I don’t remember the breed of the dog or the name, I do remember quite vividly the expression on my sister’s face when she would talk about this dog. This dog was able to comfort Teresa during the most difficult and trying circumstances anyone could face.
Teresa and I would talk about this dog as I sat by her bedside. Teresa didn’t have dogs, she had cats at home. The effect this special dog had on my sister was never forgotten by her. Teresa was given a photo of that dog which she proudly displayed in her living room until her untimely death several months later.
Don’t ever underestimate the power of animals on your heart and soul. I had taken my dog, Lady, to a nursing home to visit someone my husband and I knew. The other patients would see her and wanted to spend time with her. And that’s what we did. I remember one woman who said she had to give up her shih-tzu when she moved into the nursing home. She began to cry. I asked her if she wanted to hold Lady and she said yes. Lady was able to calm her down. That was my girl. Lady had the personality to comfort others. Lady and I visited often. She was a hit with the residents and staff!
Lady suddenly and unexpectedly died a few short months before my sister died. Teresa, through all of her pain,comforted me during a very difficult time. I can’t believe she wanted to be there for me despite her own life-threatening health issues. That was one of the most painful and hardest years of my life. My other dog, Shadow, was always my constant companion and helped me tremendously through this period.
Pets can have a powerful effect on others and I know it firsthand. I am so glad that my sister met that special dog. Who knows if the dog was able to extend her life, but what I do know is that this special dog was able to comfort and ease my sister’s pain. For that I will always be grateful!