Novant Health’s Therapy Dog Program continues to expand — providing both patients and staff some comfort during their daily visits.As the program proves to be more and more successful, Novant Health continues to look for more dogs to join in on the journey.”I was just having pain,” said Novant Health Patient Dave Simonis. “And I came in, and they told me I have prostate cancer.”Simonis has been one of the brave soldiers battling a cancer illness for a little less than a year now.”I’d like to get one like this,” he said, as he pet the giant Great Dane dog named ‘Big Ben,’ who was visiting the cancer center.A dog lover himself, Simonis was happy to see the pups visiting Wednesday, helping provide some distraction and comfort to patients.”I appreciate the dogs being here,” he said.He has a Great Dane of his own.”You’re not as slobbery as my dog,” Simonis laughed. “It’s great. I think it’s just great and that more people should do it.”More people like volunteer David Roberts.”She’s becoming everybody’s best friend,” Roberts said, his Golden Retriever, Baker, by his side. “She’s eight-and-a-half, so she still has a lot of love to give.”David and Baker try to visit a different area of Novant Health at least twice a week.”She loves guest services– she has a lot of favorites in ICU and at the nurses’ stations,” he said. “Discharge is one of her favorites, too.”The Pet Therapy Program has been around for a few years now, but it continues to expand.”Since I’ve been here, we’ve been growing the program,” said Novant Health Volunteer Coordinator Catherine Sigmon. “Which is very exciting.”The dogs provide care and comfort to those who need it most.”We find that patients and team members alike benefit from having the dogs visit each week,” said Sigmon. “And they get to know them and anticipate those visits– especially if it’s been a stressful week.”The program is always looking for more therapy dogs.You can learn how to help by calling the volunteer services office number at 336-718-5738.
Novant Health’s Therapy Dog Program continues to expand — providing both patients and staff some comfort during their daily visits.
As the program proves to be more and more successful, Novant Health continues to look for more dogs to join in on the journey.
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“I was just having pain,” said Novant Health Patient Dave Simonis. “And I came in, and they told me I have prostate cancer.”
Simonis has been one of the brave soldiers battling a cancer illness for a little less than a year now.
“I’d like to get one like this,” he said, as he pet the giant Great Dane dog named ‘Big Ben,’ who was visiting the cancer center.
A dog lover himself, Simonis was happy to see the pups visiting Wednesday, helping provide some distraction and comfort to patients.
“I appreciate the dogs being here,” he said.
He has a Great Dane of his own.
“You’re not as slobbery as my dog,” Simonis laughed. “It’s great. I think it’s just great and that more people should do it.”
More people like volunteer David Roberts.
“She’s becoming everybody’s best friend,” Roberts said, his Golden Retriever, Baker, by his side. “She’s eight-and-a-half, so she still has a lot of love to give.”
David and Baker try to visit a different area of Novant Health at least twice a week.
“She loves guest services– she has a lot of favorites in ICU and at the nurses’ stations,” he said. “Discharge is one of her favorites, too.”
The Pet Therapy Program has been around for a few years now, but it continues to expand.
“Since I’ve been here, we’ve been growing the program,” said Novant Health Volunteer Coordinator Catherine Sigmon. “Which is very exciting.”
The dogs provide care and comfort to those who need it most.
“We find that patients and team members alike benefit from having the dogs visit each week,” said Sigmon. “And they get to know them and anticipate those visits– especially if it’s been a stressful week.”
The program is always looking for more therapy dogs.
You can learn how to help by calling the volunteer services office number at 336-718-5738.
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