Maryborough Hospital boasts early success in dog therapy trial

One week into a dog therapy trial at Maryborough Hospital, and the reaction from patients has already moved one observer to tears - if it succeeds it could be rolled out to Gympie and Bundaberg.

Chevie is a black german shorthaired pointer with Maryborough Hospital on a three-month dog therapy trial.

A four-legged friend will be prancing through Maryborough Hospital for the next few months, bringing a welcomed smile to patients and staff alike.

Chevie is a black german shorthaired pointer that has been visiting the hospital since June 26 in a three-month Pet Assisted Therapy Services trial.

The trial was funded by Partners in Care Together, a Bundaberg-based charity supporting Wide Bay and North Burnett health services.

PAT’s foundational manager Belinda Nunn said Chevie was brought in after a wish came through to the charity.

Chevie the therapy dog at Maryborough Hospital with Director of Nursing Jane Bartley (L) and Chevie’s handler and nurse Lisa Tinney (R).

“We wanted to do it straight away,” Ms Nunn said. But they had to wait until they had official clearance.

Ms Nunn said she attended the hospital when Chevie was first brought in, and was moved to tears.

“Just the faces of everyone, people went down on the ground and hugged him,” Ms Nunn said.

“When Chevie went up into the dementia ward, my heart broke into a million pieces.”

She said an elderly patient with dementia formed a moving bond with Chevie, and remembered that he had dogs of his own.

As a dog owner herself, Ms Nunn said she understood the special connection dogs have with people, and the desire for “puppy cuddles”.

She said she would love to see the program expanded throughout the Wide Bay to hospitals like Gympie and Bundaberg.

Chevie is a black german shorthaired pointer, and his handler is nurse Lisa Tinney.

“If it works, we should do it. Technology is real and we’d be nowhere as healthy without it, but I really like the thought of something alternative as well,” she said.

“It’s not invasive either, if someone doesn’t like dogs, they don’t have to pat them.”

She said the breed was not important when it came to therapy dogs; it’s more about their personality, and that of their handlers.

“Lisa is a very good handler of Chevie, and very understanding,” Ms Nunn said.

She said it was difficult to quantify the effectiveness of pet therapy, so PATS was doing their best to take photos and videos to demonstrate the trial’s success.

PATS would “have to raise a lot of money” to bring the program to more hospitals, she said, but thought it could be done.

In addition to the trial, Ms Nunn said PATS offered a range of charity services, including recently providing children in Hervey Bay Hospital with virtual reality goggles to relax them during medical procedures.

PATS national manager Janeen Greaves said she would also like to see the program expanded to more Wide Bay hospitals.

“We are thrilled to be working alongside Wide Bay Hospital to bring these benefits to patients facing medical challenges, and to the hardworking staff who care for them,” she said.

Originally published as Maryborough Hospital boasts early success in dog therapy trial