‘Tremendous difference’: Tulare County therapy dogs visit Kaweah Health

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Therapy dogs brought plenty of tail wags and smiles to Kaweah Health Medical Center on Thursday.

The Tulare County chapter of Pet Partners visits twice a month. Pet Partners is an international nonprofit made up of volunteer therapy dogs and their owners. 

The moment these healing hounds step into the hospital, they know they have a job to do. Cardiac patient Naomi Hall grew emotional after visits from two of the dogs. “You’re in so much crises and so much pain and problems, they just change everything in your heart. They bring a lot of joy,” she shared.  

They not only lift the spirits of patients but also staff. “Remmy sits on the beds. She brings the blood pressure down. It’s something for them to touch and, you know, and love on,” shared Tana Bennett, team leader of Pet Partners Tulare County. 

Whether a patient has been in the hospital for just a day or has a longer stay, these dogs melt away any worry. “And they look in your eyes. They’re just so precious. You know, they look at you with a little compassion, and you kind of feel their soul just saying, you’re going to be okay,” Hall added.

Hall isn’t sure when she’ll be discharged, but all she can think about is her pup waiting for her at home. So, this visit was a good distraction. “Visitors are nice, but the dogs are really just amazing at what they do for your whole being, how you feel,” she said.

Once word gets around that the furry friends are here, hospital staff flood the halls. “When they’re here, everybody’s like, ‘Yes!’ It gives them like a boost of energy, and it just makes everybody feel really happy,” said Kaweah Health Secretary Kandance Lopez. 

But this pack visits more than just the hospital. They travel to high schools, colleges during finals, and even to rehab and cancer centers. The more places they go, the more requests they get. Bennett says they just can’t keep up. “I just don’t have the crew,” Bennett explained. 

Throughout the years, Neurologist Dr. Richard Pantera has seen the positive impact, and he believes in the Pet Partners’ mission. So much so, he encouraged his wife to join with their corgi GiGi. “It makes a tremendous difference in the atmosphere of the hospital when the dogs come,” he added.