Our Furry Friends Provide Cheer to Patients
The patient in same-day surgery one recent Friday was getting a little anxious about the procedure she faced.
Enter Charley – 85 pounds of dog coated in masses of luxurious white fur. So much a part of Providence Tarzana, Charley, a golden doodle (golden retriever and poodle) has his own official badge complete with a mug of his undeniably sweet, albeit hairy, face.
“Isn’t he beautiful?” the woman cried. “That’s the most gorgeous dog I’ve seen in my life!” The timing of Charley’s visit was perfect, her husband said, noting his wife was a little on edge.
Accompanied by his mistress Ellen Morrow, Charley is specially trained and certified as a therapeutic dog. He takes his responsibilities quite seriously, spending a few hours each visit comforting patients, performing tricks, even climbing in their beds to cuddle at a time when those we care for are at their most vulnerable.
In 1980, a team of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania found that the bonding between humans and pets resulted in lower levels of blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, anxiety and tension.
And thanks to Ellen, wife of PTMC general surgeon Douglas Morrow, M.D., and mother of ICU nurse Nicole Morrow, R.N., Charley pioneered the pet therapy program at Providence Tarzana. Charley knows why he is at the hospital providing cheer to the staff and comforting the patients, bringing enormous smiles to even the most seriously ill. Being mindful of how germs are passed, Ellen asks all who want to touch Charley to first use hand sanitizer.
We followed Charley on a trek through the hospital and watched smiles emerge as he visited patients. At Tarzana, he’s known on every floor for his magic – the pediatric patient having a bad day breaks out in smiles; the patient depressed from days in the hospital lets Charley in bed and holds him close; and the dying man feeds this hero a dog cookie as his family gathers for his final days.
We thank Ellen and Charley for being part of the Providence Tarzana family and keeping our core value of compassion alive through their regular visits to our patients.