Early onset of dog days proves therapeutic

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

The dog days of summer don’t officially begin until early July, but it was doggy days Friday at UPMC’s Hillman Cancer Center and at the City-County Building.

UPMC recognized therapy dogs with a “Silver Paw Award” to mark their fifth year of volunteering at the cancer center. Frankie and Corey, 11-year-old retired racing greyhound brothers, and Charm, a 12-year-old black Labrador retriever, were awarded in front of a group of their canine peers.

Laurin Scanlon, UPMC volunteer coordinator, said there are 29 dogs in the therapy program.

“They are really loving dogs,” she said. “You can tell immediately that they light up a room and brighten people’s days.”

The program has a variety of breeds, ranging from Mootie, a small. white Havanese, to Olive, a large, black Newfoundland.

All have earned their Canine Good Citizen certificates through pet therapy training. UPMC partners with Therapets, Therapy Dogs International, Therapy Dogs United and Therapy Dogs Inc. to make sure the dogs are prepared.

George Roberts of Upper St. Clair brought his two therapy-trained Labs, Abby and Hopey, to the event. Mr. Roberts has trained more than 1,500 dogs over the years. Abby and Hopey have visited hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

“Labs are easy to train,” he said. “Seeing them interact with late-term patients and those in hospice is especially rewarding. They both understand the seriousness of the situation.”

Annie, a 6-year-old golden retriever, also was there with her human, Benjamin Lear of Oakmont. She has a long list of tricks she likes to do to cheer up her patients, including bringing them tissues, “praying,” bowing, and dancing along to “My Girl” by the Temptations.

“A priest blessed her with holy water at Shadyside and said that Annie walks in God’s light,” Mr. Lear said. “She doesn’t just help the patients. She helps the doctors, nurses and staff, too. She really lifts everyone’s spirits.”

Annie was sporting her American flag bandanna for the event. She enjoys volunteering at other local hospitals, especially the VA hospital.

Along with the awards ceremony and meet-andgreet, employees also donated items for the “Stuff the Crate” campaign, to be delivered to Animal Friends.

At the City-County Building, City of Pittsburgh employees participated in Take Your Dog to Work Day.

The event, sponsored by Mayor Bill Peduto and Councilwoman Darlene Harris, gave Pittsburgh’s canine ambassador, River the golden retriever, the opportunity to make some new friends — about 15 dogs showed up.