BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Dogs may be known as man’s best friend, but one Bismarck woman will argue they’re everyone’s best friend.
That’s why Mary Dunn has spent much of her life training dogs to be therapy animals. She says pet therapy can not only improve people’s mental and emotional health, but often their physical health too.
The good news: she and her new best friend are working hard to start helping patients at the Bismarck Cancer Center.
Meet Mary Dunn’s new best friend, Duncan.
“Duncan is a golden retriever,” she said while leading Duncan down a hallway at the Bismarck Cancer Center.
Duncan is 12 weeks old.
“We got him about a month ago,” Dunn said.
From the moment Duncan came to live with Dunn, he’s been in training. Dunn hopes Duncan can spend time at the Bismarck Cancer Center as a therapy dog.
“Who wouldn’t want a four-legged furry friend coming in, brightening up their day? It helps them to just not think about what why they’re here,” Dunn said. “Gives them a little joy and happiness.”
Duncan has already brought joy and happiness to the staff at the cancer center.
“It’s an instant morale builder. Puts a smile on everybody’s faces,” said Sara Kelsch, marketing director at the Bismarck Cancer Center.
But perhaps the biggest smile is the one Duncan has put on Dunn’s face.
“I have always, always have been a dog lover,” she said.
She and her last dog, Max, spent eight and a half years visiting patients in the hospital, at the cancer center, and on hospice. They even visited local schools and the library to read with students.
When he passed away, Dunn wasn’t sure her heart would ever heal.
Then Duncan came along.
“No dog will ever replace your previous dog, but with Duncan, my intention was to carry on Max’s legacy with pet therapy,” said Dunn.
So, she’s determined to train Duncan to be the best therapy dog ever in honor of Max.
Duncan is working toward his canine certification. He needs to pass certain expectations, and a certified tester must sign off on his skills before he can officially work as a therapy dog.
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