Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.
Issue link: http://cancerfightersthrive.epubxp.com/i/197379
Tori spreads cheer at CTCA in Zion, Illinois. CAREGIVERS AND EMPLOYEES ALSO BENEFIT Ingram says that patients who are withdrawn often start interacting in Tori's presence, with Tori and with their human companions. In this way a visit from a therapy animal brightens not only the patient's outlook but also that of loved ones. "It helps the family to see a patient actually smiling, talking to the dog," she says. "The caregivers feel so much better because the patient is feeling better." Employees are also fnding comfort in having a dog around the hospital. Ingram explains that when she and Tori encounter colleagues on their rounds, those having a challenging day report that they feel better immediately after spending a moment with Tori. Most remarkable, she says, has been seeing the employees who were not previously "dog people" connect with Tori. ON THE JOB WITH TORI AND CODY For Tori and Ingram, their workday at CTCA in Zion begins by checking the inpatient unit "exclusion sheet"—the list of patients who are not eligible for a visit with Tori, often due to immune system concerns, such as low white blood cell or platelet counts. "We want to make sure it's safe for the patients to see 22 cancer fighters thrive | winter 2013 Tori," she explains. They then begin their rounds, going from room to room, asking all patients if they would like to see the therapy dog. Most often, Ingram says, she and Tori are invited in for a visit. From here Tori knows her job: "She goes right up and puts her head on the patient's bed," Ingram explains. And even though Tori is trained in patient interaction, each situation is a little different, depending on the relationship she and the patient establish together. One thing that tends to be consistent from room to room is that encounters with Tori are happy occasions. "She brings a lot of joy to everyone she meets," Ingram says. Cody and animal therapy are recent additions to CTCA in Newnan, and Smith has worked closely with Ingram to develop a standardized animal therapy program. Smith explains that they follow a protocol similar to Zion's to protect patient health. Cody works on the frst foor of the hospital, which Smith describes as "an open gallery that runs the length of the hospital." She says that as Cody and his handler, Steve Smith (Elaine Smith's husband), work their way through the foor, "The whole place lights up." He starts with the front desk and moves on to outpatient areas and Imaging and Radiation Departments. cfthrive.com