At UCLA, Gus and Stanley spend the majority of time working with groups of all ages in the neuropsych units. Since returning to Tarzana Hospital a few months ago, our visits have been focused on the staff, many of whom are still dealing with the emotional toll of COVID.
Last week, Gus went back to doing individual room visits at Tarzana. I had
almost forgotten what it was like to knock on a door and watch a patient’s face light up at seeing him standing there.
ELBEE One time when she knocked and asked if the patient would like a visit, the patient looked at her and said, “Not really.” The she saw me, smiled and said, “Please, come in.”
As soon as I put Gus on a patient’s bed, there was an instant personal connection. We had easy conversation while they cuddled with him.
A woman who worked from home told me that friends and family were always dropping off their dogs for her to watch so she usually had several at once. Gus was just what she needed. A woman who did animal rescue was eager to share stories. An elderly patient confided that she liked dogs more than people.
ELBEE That is a wise woman.
We went in to see a little boy around three years old. For a moment he was a bit 
shy but as soon as Gus waved and did his little dance he started giggling. He was delighted when his parents said it was okay to put Gus on the bed. They seemed so relieved at the distraction while they happily showed me videos of their Labradoodles.
Because it had been awhile, I was overwhelmed with gratitude at watching Gus do his up close magic. He helped patients forget their pain and their anxiety. He made the hospital rooms disappear. A woman in the cardiac unit summed it up when she said “He makes my heart feel better.”
Coincidentally, it was Patient Experience Week, a time to celebrate how the health care staff impacts patient experience. Gus, Stanley and all of their fellow therapy dogs may not technically be staff, but they are definitely health care workers at their finest.
