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."
What do you find to be the most rewarding about the area(s) or program(s) you volunteer in at UnityPoint Health - Des Moines? "It would be impossible to list all the rewarding moments at UnityPoint, because every person Trice and I meet has an impact on us. To see sad, scared, and stressed faces light up and smile when Trice enters a room or comes off the elevator, oh my heart just swells. They may be experiencing the darkest moments of their lives and to bring just a small ray of sunshine to them, there's nothing more rewarding." Do you have any comments, advice, or words of encouragement for anyone who may be considering volunteering at UnityPoint Health - Des Moines? "The world these days is tough, and being hospitalized is scary and stressful. The patients and their families come in with a lot of emotions, and it is the staff that has to work with and through all of that before they can do what they've been trained to do for the patient. It's an overwhelming situation for every single person. To be able to add a smile, hug, kind words, flowers, or a sweet dog to pet and pour you tears into, well that's about as good a reason as any to volunteer here." Interested in becoming a UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Volunteer? Learn more here: unitypoint.org/desmoines/volunteers
