I’m almost embarrassed by the title of this post because it’s become such a cliché right now.
ELBEE Apparently not embarrassed enough not to use it.
We’ve all gone through so much together, from pandemic brain to pandemic fatigue to being so over it. Sharing with friends and family has been a saving grace. We have found ways to connect with each other and to comfort. Now we are looking for the way back.
On Wednesday the Doods did a Zoom call with a little girl at UCLA Medical Center. Ironically, the date marked a year since Gus or Stanley has done any in person visits.
ELBEE I would have been devastated to have had my illustrious therapy dog career put on hold.
On March 11, 2020 Gus did his recertification testing and soaked up all of the attention walking through the hospital. It was also the day that the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 an international pandemic.
Zoom calls, which were a technological nightmare for some people, have become routine and sometimes even fun.
ELBEE She used to ask her grandkids for help.
The patient we visited on the eleventh seemed a bit shy but having her mom there gave her the ease to open up.
They were both delighted with Gus and Stanley’s antics. They laughed at their 
dancing, applauded the tricks. told me about their dogs. We even sang an early Happy Birthday to Gus.
The only thing missing was the physical contact with the dogs. There was no hugging or petting. There were no belly rubs.
An impromptu visit that the dogs did on one of our walks really put it in perspective. I was fortunate enough to be vaccinated, so although I’ve been cautious, I have let more people approach. I also carry Purell.
ELBEE By the way, “fortunate” means “old.”
A man out with his two young sons asked if they could pet the dogs. When I gave the okay, the boys were so excited. Gus and Stanley were almost giddy and immediately began showing off. They have been very confused by social distancing.
After the dogs calmed down enough to pose for a photo, I handed the boys their UCLA trading cards. Before we went our separate ways, the dad looked me in the eye and said “you just made their day.” I realized how much I’ve missed that simple phrase that therapy dogs and their handlers so often hear in the hospital.
It made me think that Zoom visits are like television shows with a remote audience while in-person hospital visits are like live theater. There is a priceless interaction when a dog walks into a patient’s room. I am cautiously optimistic that we will find our way back.
