News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The pet therapy program at Cookeville Regional Medical Center has expanded.
Pet therapy program founder and volunteer coordinator MaryDell Sommers said the expansion allows dogs of all sizes to visit patients on additional floors at the hospital.
“When the program first began, they were not allowing dogs over 50 pounds and they were only allowing dogs in the cancer center and any of the public lobby areas,” Sommers said. “Now we can take the bid dogs and we can go anywhere we want as long as it’s not isolation.”
Sommers said the expansion means more patients get to experience the magic of pet therapy.
“Everywhere we go, smiles are just everywhere,” Sommers said. “It’s a very joyous time when they therapy dogs are just strutting around.”
The program has grown from one dog to eight dogs and 12 handler participants. Now that the program has expanded to additional floors, Sommers said the therapy dogs and their handlers are required to have a pet buddy to go with them.
“When the handler has the dog there to visit a patient, we desperately need a third person that is with them.” Sommers said. “In fact, we won’t visit patients if we don’t have a pet buddy for that day.”
Sommers said the expansion has led to a need for additional pet buddies. Anyone interested in volunteering as a pet buddy can contact Sommers at 931-261-0011.
