Celebrating Our Animal-Assisted Therapy At BCN

Therapy Dog Volunteer: Sherry Terlau

Sherry Terlau’s warm smile and conversation, coupled with Molly’s wagging tail and gentle presence, help patients know they are not alone. At least twice a month, Terlau and therapy dog Molly, a seven-year-old Goldendoodle, visit long-term care facilities in the Northern Kentucky region. “I was interested in volunteering with Bluegrass Care Navigators because they took care of my mom,” Terlau said. “I wanted to give back to them because I wouldn’t have been able to take care of my mom otherwise and honor her wish to die at home.”

“One of the benefits of being a volunteer with a dog, is that it really has a tendency to calm the patient down,” Terlau said. She shared an encounter with a patient who was extremely agitated. Terlau and the health care team put Molly where the patient could see her. The patient started petting Molly, crying happy tears and visibly calmed.

“Dogs are able to do things that people can’t do,” Terlau said. “Having her gives me more confidence as a volunteer, so in some ways, she’s my therapy dog, too.”

Therapy Dog Handler Spreads Pawsitive Vibes

After diagnosing him with autism and cerebral palsy, Matthew Moffett’s doctors said he would never walk or talk. Through therapy, determination, prayers, hard work and positive thinking, Matthew defied the odds and today, not only walks, talks, drives, and has a job, but also is the handler for Rosie, Bluegrass Care Navigators’ inpatient therapy dog in the Lexington area. Matthew’s goal is to bring joy to everyone.

Rosie joined the Moffett family at their home in Woodford County almost three years ago when Matthew’s mom Patty, a nurse at Bluegrass Care Navigators (BCN), learned about BCN’s animal-assisted therapy program. She thought it would be perfect for her son since he loves animals and helping people. Now, one evening a week, the Moffetts take Rosie to visit patients at the Bluegrass Hospice Care Center at UK Healthcare.

“The gift of getting to help people means so much, especially with my story because I can teach people that it will get better,” Matthew said. “It’s basically become my family’s mission,” Patty said. “We enjoy doing that together and it’s just neat to watch my child, who has autism and cerebral palsy, go out and minister to these families and patients of ours.”

Every visit is different, but Patty and Matthew remember one patient specifically. The patient was in respiratory distress, nonverbal and missing their dog. After entering the room, Matthew asked if he could put the patient’s hand on Rosie’s head. The patient calmed immediately, and Matthew and Patty know that being able to pet Rosie gave that person a sense of peace.

“They know that the dog is there, and it’s really hard not to get emotional,” Matthew said. “It’s neat to see the patients light up with happiness and gives them something to look forward to.”

Therapy Dog Grace Retires

HI EVERYONE! I have some bittersweet news. While I love my job as the therapy dog in the Hazard region, I’ll be retiring this summer. I want to thank my co-workers and handlers for training me and giving me the opportunity to bring comfort to our patients, families and clinicians during the pandemic. Nothing has given me a better feeling than when I see someone’s face light up with joy or share a hug with someone. I love knowing that I’ve made a difference in their lives, especially during a difficult time.

While I have so many wonderful memories, one that sticks out to me is when my Hazard teammates, Kelli Callihan and Amy Gabbard, took me to the Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital to support staff during the pandemic. Everyone got excited when they saw me, and I enjoyed all the pats and smiles. One nurse ran up to me, got on her knees and hugged me. Sometimes there are no words, so I just snuggled her while she cried and tried to carry some of her sadness by licking the tears off her face. Kelli told me on the drive home that she was in awe of me. I’m not sure what that means, but since she gave me a treat, I know she was proud.

One family in our Hospice Care Center told me that I had given their mom her only smile since her husband passed away. It warms my heart to know I’ve lightened someone’s load and made their day a little bit better.

Whitney Clay, my integrative medicine program coordinator, offered me these sweet retirement wishes: “Thank you for bringing such a kind, gentle spirit to us over a really difficult time. You were a rockstar in puppy training, and you are a teacher and an amazing therapist. Thank you for the lives that you touched, including my own, and for all that you taught us. I hope that the rest of your days are spent with folks loving on you and giving you as much care as you have given to all of us.”

Hearing those kind words is even better than peanut butter and bacon! (Well, almost!) I will miss everyone, but I’m looking forward to catching up on my sleep, taking long walks and playing outside.

Cynthiana Therapy Dog and Volunteer Bring Joy

As an oncology patient, Vicky Thomason saw first-hand the gift of joy and healing that therapy dogs brought to patients. As she recovered, she wanted to give that gift to others. So, three years ago, she and Sola, her seven-year-old Doberman Pinscher, went through the certification process with Love on a Leash. Now, as BCN volunteers, they put their paws together to provide comfort, conversation and emotional support to patients and families in the Cynthiana region.

Recently, Thomason and Sola visited Terri Wiedemer at Edgemont Healthcare. Prior to the visit, Wiedemer hadn’t seen a dog in 10 years and never stopped petting Sola during the hour-long visit.

“Sola is the best Bluegrass Care Navigator,” Wiedemer said. “She made my day!” Sola’s presence held space for Wiedemer to reflect on her family and grandmother’s Doberman, Carl. Wiedemer fondly recalled how she would lay on or next to Carl as a child, and he never minded. During the visit, Wiedemer and Thomason talked about grandchildren, favorite pets, and life events.

“I think our visit really benefited her,” Thomason said. “Terri said that she was having a rough day, but this brightened her day, so hopefully the rest of the day will be better for her.”