Therapy dogs just what doctor ordered

[bigdoglover]

Times-Union

By Rick Clemenson

ALBANY -- Jane, a bushy-browed Portuguese water dog, is brightening the days of sick children at Albany Medical Center one lap on the cheek at a time.

She is one of 18 dogs in the hospital's corps of canine volunteers. The dogs' job is simple, but their impact can be enormous. All they have to do is be friendly and gentle. Some children are extremely weak from chemotherapy, medications or sickness. The dogs are kept out of the rooms of infectious children.

On request, Jane will jump into bed to be patted. Owner Terry Conroy keeps Jane on a leash, exhibiting a firm but loving control of the animal to allay any fears parents or children may have.

During a typical visit to the hospital Jane and Terry went to the hematology/pediatric oncology unit where children undergo chemotherapy. Several children were in the room, some hooked up to IVs, but Jane negotiated the scene flawlessly.

One little girl, Fiona, who is 2 years old, became quite interested in Jane, putting a hat on the dog and taking her for a brief walk.

"The dogs make a big difference. Kids are more natural when they are around," said Toshiko Nonaka, a child life specialist, who noted Jane is among the children's favorites.

Nonaka estimated 25 children who are outpatients come to the pediatric oncology unit daily. Jane and Terry also visited upstairs where another 60-70 children stay at the hospital.

There, Jane jumped into the bed of 2-year-old Ian Rosenbaum of Stone Ridge in Ulster County and nuzzled the boy.

"Well that relaxed him," said his mother Kristen. She and her husband Will had been at the hospital with Ian for four days and expected to stay longer.

Later Terry remarked, "Sometimes parents need the dog as much as the kids."

Jane has been a therapy dog for two years. The dogs must be at least a year old and pass a 10-part test that measures such things as temperament and whether the dog is afraid of medical equipment to be certified. They must also pass obedience training.

Jane assists Terry at reading programs at Albany Public Library as well.

At home on Terry's 30-acre farm in Altamont, Jane is part of a large contingent of animals including Seamus, a Australian shepherd, who's been a therapy dog for four years. Terry also owns six llamas, including one that is being trained to be a therapy pet.

Terry's daughter Hannah, 11, is also certified to work with therapy animals. In addition to to their trips to the hospital, mother and daughter visit nursing homes and schools for special-needs children.

As Jane and Terry left, another dog, Honor, a massive Great Pyrenees with multicolored sunglasses and a hat, prepared to make the rounds. He seemed in his element, nonplussed by the attire or the commotion.

Jane, with a red Therapy Dog scarf and official Albany Medical Center ID with her picture, sauntered past him.

Kelly Marrone, manager of volunteer services at Albany Med, said of the dogs' impact, "They give people a smile who don't readily smile."