OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A handful of workers at CHI Health Bergan Mercy will quickly have the ability to bring their four-legged buddies to their workplace.
Dogs like Obie, Louise, and Bleu all have something in typical; they’re working to end up being licensed treatment dogs.
“Patients are going through a rough time, a lot of them are missing their pets bc they’re here sometimes for long periods of time, bringing these dogs in will help them with their therapy, help them get up and move and get back to their own pets,” says Tammy Rivera, the manager for volunteer and present services at CHI Health Bergan Mercy.
Rivera says because the pandemic, volunteers and treatment dogs have actually remained in brief supply.
To modification that, CHI Health is bearing the expense to train brand-new dogs and volunteers, so the health center has them on hand. Training and licensing a treatment dog can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000.
“They get to go visit patients and see how well they handle around equipment, and the beeps and the beds and wheelchairs and all that stuff,” Rivera includes.
But these aren’t simply any volunteers, they’re all health center workers and their own furry buddies.
“When the opportunity came up, I was really excited for it,” says Sheila Wrobel, a compliance officer with CHI Health.
“I think it’s great because it affords us the opportunity to give back, not only in our jobs but to patients in a new way,” she includes.
Sunday afternoon marked the last of 5 training sessions with regional fitness instructors from Pups with a Purpose.
“It’s a win-win-win all the way around because we’re getting it done here on campus with our staff and our patients,” Rivera says.
Sunday’s job: dealing with kids.
It was a breeze for Wrobel’s dog, Rudy.
“I think it’s helpful to understand how to make the dog comfortable and approach the patients and interact with the patients,” Wrobel says.
Now, the four-legged buddies are prepared to spread out delight and recovery once they pass their accreditation test with Alliance Pet Therapy.
“Healthcare is inherently stressful, not only for the patient but sometimes for the staff so hopefully sometimes we can provide some relaxation also,” Wrobel includes.
CHI Health Bergan Mercy will host another treatment dog training session in March.
To register to be a volunteer and get associated with the program, applications can be filled out here.
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