A Little Dog Spit Won't Hurt
by Jody Workman
Cadence is a
therapy dog, registered with Therapy Dogs International, so Parkside Rehabilitation
Hospital invited Cadence to visit their Head Trauma Unit. This Unit services
patients who are comatose, are coming out of a coma, stroke victims, and
patients who have suffered head traumas through injuries or accidents.
As we entered the large therapy/gym room, with its various and elaborate equipment, we were escorted toward one of the patients. She was an elderly lady who two therapists had propped up into a sitting position. I suspect that she was recovering from a stroke, and the only way to describe her behavior was that she appeared to be nonresponsive.
As she stared blankly and continuously into space, the therapists attempted to carry on cheery conversation with her, seeking to evoke some type of reaction. They took the lady's hand and guided it across Cadence's back, so she coul d feel the texture of his coat. Next, they placed a dog treat in the lady's hand, and helped the lady to hold the treat out to the dog.
Cadence, ever so gently, took the offered treat. Cadence thought that treat tasted pretty good and in seeking more, began to lick the lady's fingers.
Surprisingly, the lady scrunched up her face and, then, directed her attention toward the dog. Though both were incapable of speech, dog and patient had communicated.
For those of us who are healthy and active, one might respond, "So what?" Please understand, in this environment, an achievement is significant. For this lady, at this time, eliciting such an animated facial expression was a profound breakthrough.
Be assured, I am in no way advocating there is a correlation between dog spit and holy water, however, the next time your dog gets a drink and, then, gives you a slobbery Beardie kiss, simply be reminded that the Lord works in mysterious ways.