Essentia Health looks for volunteer pet therapy teams

After reading a hospice nurse's memoir about end-of-life care, Kala Pederson was compelled to sign up as a hospice volunteer with Essentia Health. Meeting with the program supervisor, Pedersen mentioned that she loved spending time with her dog, Cruz. It sparked an idea — the pup was likely an excellent candidate for pet therapy and, eventually, could accompany Pedersen on her visits.

Cruz, a “Lab, border collie, beagle and some sort of herding dog mix,” according to Pedersen, was certified as a pet therapy dog through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. He’s an active 7-year-old who loves running with Pedersen and her husband, Alex Rogers. Around patients or at the Duluth Public Library’s “read to a dog” program, perhaps Cruz’s best attribute is an ability to tailor his energy level to his surroundings.

“I think the best way to describe Cruz is he can read the room, which is a really unique characteristic in a dog,” says Pedersen, who’s also a community and strategic relationship manager at Essentia. “When we’re in a healthcare facility or at the library, he’s just chill. He’ll lay down and get scratches.”

That demeanor has endeared Cruz to patients at Essentia. Staff, too.

“To see a dog, I think they just provide a sense of calm that helps patients and staff who maybe just need a little reprieve,” Pedersen says. “When people see a therapy dog, it’s just a sense of joy and relief to be able to take a few minutes and get some love from a pet.”

Calling all dogs (and humans) for additional therapy teams

The warm embrace for therapy dogs has been similar at Essentia’s other hospitals, prompting a call for additional volunteers to connect with and comfort even more patients. 
Believing in the importance of therapy dog services, Essentia is looking to expand our reach by welcoming additional pet therapy teams. Visit Essentia’s Volunteer webpage for more information and to apply.