UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Volunteer Spotlight
This month's UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Volunteer Spotlight is Beth Harman and Trice. They have been volunteering at UnityPoint Health - Des Moines for seven years and they impact lives and spread sunshine wherever they go at Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Blank Children's Hospital. Recently, they went above and beyond by extending their visit to respond to a request that came in late for a family of a CCU patient. They connected with the family in the waiting room where a very emotional release happened, giving some stress relief to family members. As she was leaving the hospital that evening, a text came in from a friend who had been with their child in the Pediatric ER for several hours. Beth went to a store, bought food and treats for them, then met one of the parents outside of the ER with the food and took a picture with Trice for a virtual hug. Beth and Trice returned home late that night, tired from their visits, but grateful for being able to make such a difference for our families in need. Why do you choose to volunteer? "Seeing therapy dog Trice brings smiles and a momentary positive distraction from whatever patients & their families are dealing with that day in the hospital. It is also equally enjoyable to share him with the staff that need the prescription of furry love as much as anyone else. UnityPoint is where my husband and I have been hospitalized and have been patients in the Emergency Department. We know first-hand how hard everyone works there and how much comfort the Animal Assisted Therapy program brings."
