There's one shining example of the positive physical and emotional effects of animal therapy at the High River Hospital.

High River Hospital Volunteer Coordinator Grace Ledoux says one resident's story is that of patient focused care right here in High River.

"Our star pet coordinator Bunny, has quite a unique story. Bunny was a volunteer with the PALS pet program in Calgary for 15 years before moving to Black Diamond."

PALS, or the Pet Access League Society, championed pet therapy in the city and their volunteers visit long term care facilities, universities and hospitals.

Bunny eventually moved away from the city and found another way to volunteer in her new home in Black Diamond says Ledoux.

"She soon learned about the pet therapy program that was running out of the Rising Sun Long Term Care facility at the Black Diamond Hospital and so she would take her little Sheltie dog, Kitty-Cat to visit residents there. Bunny and Kitty Cat would visit residents there at the Rising Sun every Tuesday morning."

Both Kitty-Cat and Bunny loved their volunteering gig, and loved the positive emotional and physical impact they had on the residents they visited.

Ledoux says it wasn't long until Bunny, needed some help of her own.

"Bunny took ill and was hospitalized after having a stroke and at the end of her recovery she was not able to go back to live in her own home again." Ledoux says Bunny was forced to make other arrangements for her beloved Kitty-Cat. "Kitty-Cat was adopted out to one of the physiotherapists at the Black Diamond Hospital, and when a bed opened up here in High River Bunny moved here out to the Long Term Care Unit."

While Bunny was still getting the great medical care she physically needed, Ledoux says it wasn't enough.

"She wasn't happy about the move. She missed Kitty-Cat dearly and was kind of slumping into a state of depression." Ledoux says "We were all kind of thinking what can we do to make things better for Bunny?"

After many hours of brainstorming, volunteer and staff hoped they had come up with a solution, and they registered Bunny as a volunteer at the High River Hospital.

They outfitted Bunny with a red vest and her I.D. Badge, and made her the head of the pets program.

Ledoux says Bunny's new job made a significant impact on both her mental and physical health and gave her a purpose.

Now Bunny greets the pet volunteers at the doors and mentors new recruits in their duties.

 

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