A Dog in the Doctor's Office

17 years ago

As y'all know we took Katrina to the Oncologist's office today.

We arrived 15 minutes early so we could fill out the update papers.

I was sitting there dreading the time when they called Katrina's name and feeling like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders when I glanced through the door

and saw a little dog lying in the hall outside the exam rooms. At first I thought I was seeing things, surely it wasn't a DOG. I kept looking back at the door and sure enough, there it was again.

At about that time, we were called back and shown into a room, the door was left open. All of a sudden the little dog came in went straight to Katrina and licked her hand.

Katrina reached down and gave doggie a pat on the head and

again she licked Katrina's hand and went out the door.

We learned her name was Belle and that she belonged to one of the nurses. She comes to work with her person 3 days a week because her person doesn't want to leave her home alone.

We watched Belle as she wandered in and out of rooms much to the delight of all the patients.

I saw one woman obviously in a battle for her life, she was very thin and you could tell she was so ill she could hardly lift her head. Belle walked into her room and licked her hand also and sat quietly as the woman gave her a gentle

pat and rubbed her ears and back. In that moment I saw the transformation of a very sick woman's face turn into a woman who was smiling and had just for that moment reached out to a sweet little dog putting her illness on hold if only for a moment.

The whole time we were there we watched as Belle made the rounds to all the patients bringing smiles where ever she went.

What a treasure, I thought, what better way to bring joy to those who need it most. She made everyone smile even when they didn't feel like it, who could resist a soft lovable

little fur baby. No one could resist her, of course, she had won the hearts of all who were fortunate to see and touch her.

What a great thing it would be if all doctor's offices had a Belle to greet and comfort patients.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

gandle
17 years ago
Pets can do that can't they. A gentle dog can lift the spirits of just about anyone. They ask very little in return.
tibs
17 years ago
A friend of mine's mother has had a stroke and doesn't remember her family. What she does remember, and what brings her joy and enables her many visits to the doctors to be stress free is my friend's dog. She brings the dog with her when she takes her mother to the doctor's. Her mother remembers that dog, and talks and coos and pats and loves that little dog up and goes calmly into the see the doctor when it is time.
Related Discussions
Two shots, long wait at doctors office.
Q
Comments (18)
Glenda, I am so sorry, but glad the injection worked for you. I have been in so much pain for over a month...first, I made the mistake of going to a chiropractor for several treatments, then a week ago I went to a pain management doctor for an injection...praying for relief, but I did not work. Oh maybe for about a day, I felt some better...than to my PCP and he has ordered a MRI for next Monday..then I suspect I till be going to a neurosurgeon. Does your pain stay in your lumbar area or does it go out into your butt and thigh? I happen to have turned over in the night and ended up on that hip...leg and foot was numb and the hip throbbing. Man what pain! I am really struggling today..can not sit, walk, or lay.....and on top of that the pain meds have made me constipated, thus hemorrhoids. I am so much pain, I have not eaten all day. If surgery would make this better, bring on the knife! Please keep us posted and I hope you will have a wonderful cruise! Soak us sunshine and bring some back with you to share with the rest of us!
...See More
My primary care office rarely has a DOCTOR
Q
Comments (27)
I need a new primary care MD and a new dentist. It's no use asking for referrals from people who have always enjoyed good health -- or good teeth! We've rocked along with our present (barely adequate) MD and our (convenient) dentist since 2000. The MD failed to admit me to hospital last month when he saw me a day and a half before I was in the ER at 4 a.m., resulting in a four day stay. ER docs rushed to improve my oxygen uptake and stabilize my erratic heart. I had not *suddenly* become seriously ill. I was ''whooping' when I saw him -- same as when I got to the ER. My DDS has now twice failed to adjust for bite. I have a cracked root on one lower molar (pounded by the new bridge above it). A thrown crown he just reset fractured a day later. ("Oh, you'll need a new crown! $$$$) Is there a shortage of MD's? We only took this one because it was so hard to find anyone taking new Medicare patients in 2000. We saw right away that he was marginal, but the group practice (since absorbed by a hospital group) was efficient -- and we were younger, with few ills! Our prior, excellent doctors retired.
...See More
Doctor's office asking for more money than co-pay
Q
Comments (1)
I have heard of it and have also known people to turn around and walk out. By walking out you may have to send them a missed appointment charge. Then call or chat on line with your insurance company. I would also suggest that you find a different doctor.
...See More
Does your doctor's office....
Q
Comments (25)
maifleur01s - none of those apply. I guess then in July of 2017 the office shouldn't have called me at 6.20 am to tell me to go directly to ER to have potassium IVd into me because my test showed it was down to 2.5. I know the numbers it should be within, all they have to tell me is the # rather than keep it from me. I've had docs before who'd call me and tell me. They know how to tell if it is me and who else they can tell (in case I've passed out). I can't even get them to MAIL the results to me. nor am I driving in the heat of the AZ summer (a/c is out in car) if I don't know that my potassium is where it should be. That could be too dangerous. And he had the test results back from the week before when I was in there. when I went to their portal even after they told me the results were there, they weren't. And they said they couldn't help me with that because they knew nothing about how it works.
...See More
Janis_G
Original Author
17 years ago
Having that precious little Belle in the doctor's office yesterday certainly made our stress level go down.
Wouldn't it be nice if every place had a dog greet you at the door?
calliope
17 years ago
I think this is a concept who's time has come. When I was nursing, we had very stringent regulations about who came in to visit. My mother had surgery about ten years ago and was in for an extended stay and was missing her little canine companion very much. I mentioned it to the head nurse and she told me I was quite welcome to bring Daisy in with me when I visited. It was a Godsend for Mama and I am sure it helped encourage her to work harder in her therapy so she could come home sooner to Daisy. I was flabbergasted the rules had become so much more humane.

Healing isn't all about the body, it's a wholistic thing.
acorn
17 years ago
Animals put us in touch with our spirit.
Pidge
17 years ago
Sometimes, acorn, I think they ARE my spirit, especially yesterday and today with the new kits running through the house.
When my motehr was in a nursing home, I used to think a cat roaming the halls would be terrific, but I didn't get anywhere when I suggested it.
Jan, nice thread.
andie_rathbone
17 years ago
My old secretary trained her lab to be one of those dogs that goes to hospitals & nursing homes for visits. It's just amazing how you can see the difference in people when the dog walks in.

There have been amazing stories about the restorative aspects of pets. I believe every one of them. My pets are always there for me & their love in unconditional.
sheila
17 years ago
My dogs have lifted me up when I was low and made me laugh when I felt I might cry. Right now they're sacked out here but, if asked, they'd be up in the blink of an eye ready to anything.
sylviatexas1
17 years ago
I love this idea.

I think it's downright civilized.

A Dog in the Doctor's Office

Comments (9)

gandle

tibs

Related Discussions

Janis_G
Original Author

calliope

acorn

Pidge

andie_rathbone

sheila

sylviatexas1

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

A Dog in the Doctor's Office

Comments (9)

Related Discussions

Janis_GOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Janis_G
Original Author