CALLIE

By Jennifer Looney Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Survivor

Photos by Cindy Bedford

Feeling like you’re at the end of your rope? We’ve all been there at some point. When fatigue and exhaustion rob us of strength and endurance during treatment, this common phrase marches through the minds of many a cancer patient. Fortunately, Cindy Bedford and her beloved golden retriever, Callie, are on a mission to provide comfort at the end of that rope.

First a care-giver for her late husband, now an advocate for cancer patients, Cindy shares her special gifts regularly as an American Cancer Society volunteer. This darling woman from Dallas, Texas is paying it forward by providing patients and staff with heartwarming visits from Callie, the therapy dog. My first encounter with this blonde dynamic duo was after a routine appointment at UT Southwestern Radiation Oncology. I heard others shout from across the valet parking area, “Is that Callie? Look, it’s Callie!”. The stress of my recent doctor visit vanished, as I found myself crouched down, face to face with beautiful brown eyes staring deep into my soul. She was outfitted in a rainbow costume and sunshine headdress. Colorful Callie erased my scanxiety immediately. It’s as if she delivered exactly what I needed with the silent comfort only a loving dog could provide. As we continued to chat in the parking lot, Cindy told me something about her compassion for cancer patients that I will never forget. She proudly said, “I want to be part of the solution, not part of a problem.”

Cindy Bedford is not simply a volunteer. She has master’s degrees in Behavioral Analysis and Autism Intervention Specialization. Her professional history provided the perfect techniques with which she taught Callie the skills to become an impactful certified therapy dog. As Cindy explained, “Callie took those basic skills and added her sweet disposition. She added the love.” Cindy has a servant’s heart, yet she credits Callie for having the “heart knowledge” and intuition to comfort patients.

It’s no surprise that Cindy is a seasoned marathoner. At seventyone, this avid runner navigates medical facilities in Dallas with ease, keeping a busy schedule with Callie in tow. One particular winter morning, Callie and Cindy were asked to visit a woman receiving an infusion who had heard about Callie, but had yet to experience the joy of meeting her. “This is what warms my heart on an icy, cold day,” Cindy told me. Callie’s outstanding ability as a therapy dog resulted in requests by oncologists for her presence to help lower the blood pressure of certain patients before embarking on radiation therapy treatment for the day. The reach of Callie’s leash is not limited, however, to patients alone. Squeals of delight ring through the halls of Simmons Cancer Center as staff members recognize Callie sporting one of her many festive costumes. Cindy humbly explains that during each of her volunteer days, she hears, “I’m so glad I worked today.”

During the last eight years, Callie’s talents have also been shared outside the cancer community. She brightens the days of Dallas school children as a reading buddy. In addition, she calms nervous travelers as a member of the K9 Crew at DFW International Airport. I asked Cindy what motivates her to continue pet therapy with Callie. Without hesitation she said, “Patients often tell me this is a great ministry, but I also know it’s a calling, especially comforting cancer patients through Callie. I’m using this ministry and paying it forward knowing how proud my husband would be if he was still here.”

Callie significantly lifts spirits and offers love to those around her. She creates joy in spaces that have otherwise been marked with sadness. What is Cindy’s favorite part about volunteering with Callie? “I love being her human at the end of the leash.” I am grateful that cancer survivors and patients will continue to be comforted by this remarkable pair. As hope is demonstrated in many forms, this one is four-legged. Her name is Callie.