EUCLID, Ohio — Every week, Debbie Lewis and her dog, Cash, bring smiles to people at Euclid Hospital Cleveland Clinic.
Lewis volunteers through Cleveland Clinic’s Caring Canine program, which is now back at the Euclid Hospital for the first time since the pandemic.
According to the Cleveland Clinic’s website, “Caring Canine teams are certified therapy dogs and volunteer handlers who provide emotional support, increase smiles and laughter, and generally reduce anxiety for patients and their families.”
This is not Lewis’ first time volunteering with this program, but it is Cash’s first time.
“I come in here and I walk out very humbled and invigorated,” Lewis said. “My retirement goal is to get back into that program because I enjoyed it so much when I did it before. When I adopted Cash after working with him, I felt he was perfect for this program.”
It’s easy to see the positive impact of this program in real time when Lewis and Cash interact with patients like Connie Ehrke.
“It makes me happy. I love dogs, grew up with them,” Ehrke said. “They are good for the soul.”
it’s not only the patients who look forward to Cash’s visits, Noelle Jennrich, a recreational therapist at Euclid Hospital, said the staff also loves seeing the dog.
“The staff members look forward to the visits as well,” Jennrich explained. “It’s good for caregiver burnout and it’s a good diversion for them as well.”
Lewis said she plans to continue bringing cash to the hospital each week to spread a little puppy love.
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