ANDERSON, Ind. —
Nestley quietly approaches Robert Vaughn, who quickly perks up and sits in his seat a little taller reaching out to pat the chocolate lab on the head.
“Hey there,” Vaughn says, as Nestley wags her tail expectantly.
As Vaughn continues to scratch and pat the dog, he and Kevin Moore start talking about softball, the weather — anything but cancer and chemotherapy.
“It is a great way to take your mind off what is going on,” Vaughn said. “I think dogs can sense people being ill and know what they need.”
Saint John’s Health System has had a pet therapy program in place for more than two years with the focus on patients at the hospital’s Cancer Center.
But now the hospital is hoping to expand the program and organizers hope the therapy dogs can be utilized by inpatient clients as well as others receiving outpatient services, said David Maxwell, vice president of operations at the hospital.
“We place patient satisfaction as a high priority,” Maxwell said. “In other facilities within our network where they have the expanded program in place not only are the patients happy to see the animals and interact with them, the associates and physicians are happy.”
Nestley’s “dad” or handler is Anderson resident Kevin Moore. The duo have been a part of the program for more than a year. Nestley, like any of the dogs that participate in pet therapy, went through special training.
The duo not only completed the required “Good Citizen Program” through Anderson Obedience Training Club, the 10-year-old dog also completed a stringent training program through Therapy Dogs International. Pet handlers must also complete Saint John’s volunteer program.
Nancy Hunt is the coordinator of the program and works in cancer registry at Saint John’s. She said there are two dogs active in the program now. There are others currently going through training.
“The very moment that needle is stuck in your arm and the chemo, poison really, is going through your body, you can for a moment let your mind go somewhere else when you see the dogs,” said Hunt, a cancer survivor. “They provide love and affection and don’t care you have cancer. They don’t look at you with sadness or pity, they just love you.”
Moore said he and Nestley go to the hospital once a week, something he looks forward to — and a trip he senses Nestley enjoys. As soon as they pull into the parking lot of the Cancer Center, Nestley perks up and is ready, Moore said.
“It is such a blessing to be able to serve in this way,” Moore said. “I know we are making a little bit of a difference for the patients and staff, but it has made a difference in my life too. When I see what the patients and staff go through, it has helped me put my life into perspective.”
When Nestley walks among the patients it is as if she knows what to do, he said.
“It is amazing to see Nestley’s ability to love unconditionally,” Moore said. “It has been a great experience all around. This is God and Nestley’s doing — I’m just lucky enough to come along for the ride.”
To participate in the Saint John’s pet therapy program, contact David Maxwell at 646-8609.
Contact Abbey Doyle, 640-4805, abbey.doyle@heraldbulletin.com.
Community
Related Photos
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Saint John’s Cancer Center patient Shirley Kimberling pets Nestley as the chocolate Labrador retriever makes her rounds through the center visiting patients and staff. John P. Cleary / The Herald Bulletin
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Pets for Pals program uses therapy dogs to help cancer patients
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