New York City has some of the most thriving Pet Partner programs in the nation. And one facility in particular, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medical Center, has 120 Pet Partners in the Paws for Patients Program. The program is well run and the pups’ well being is of the utmost importance to this hospital. The staff and community support is very strong.
Meet two and a half year old Mackenzie and his owner Lynn Michalson and hear what joining this program has meant to them both.
“Volunteering is the most satisfying job I have ever had,” says Lynn. “When I brought Mackenzie home I was a hospital volunteer. I saw Pet Partner teams coming to the hospital and realized what a great way to spend more time volunteering while being with my beloved pup.”
Mackenzie is a Havanese and proud member of the hospital’s “oncology team.” In addition to weekly visits with patients, they participate in all the activities that involve the pet partner teams, such as Cancer Survivors Day at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital and parties at Weill-Cornell for children who have had heart surgery, a Valentine Day party at Paine Whitney and the annual Doggie Halloween parade at the hospital.
Lynn chose to train with Delta Society and enjoys being part of a national network of volunteers and their pets.
Mackenzie was just seven months old when he began training to become an animal assisted therapy dog and Lynn was surprised how mature he was in class. He seemed to sense, even at this young age, that therapy training was something special.
His biggest challenge however was his age. He needed a few “time outs” in class when he wanted to play.
When I asked Lynn if she thought Mackenzie knew he was working, she said “Absolutely! During our short bedside visits, the most gravely ill patients can forget their illness, even for a short time. The happiness and joy Mackenzie brings to all patients and staff makes such a difference. And he knows it”
What does the medical facility get from the visiting pet partners? “Therapy dogs provide a number of different benefits to patients, including diverting the patients’ attention away from their stressful environment, adding normalcy to the hospital day, relieving depression, reducing patient blood pressure, and supporting staff and family by bringing a smile to the patient's face.”
The most amazing thing noticed with the clients they visit at Weill-Cornell, is that not all patients understand that the teams are volunteers and the pets are the handler’s own personal dogs.
“Nine out of 10 patients think Mackenzie lives at the hospital or that I “pick him up somewhere” before we come to the hospital. Patients are surprised, and very interested, to learn that Mackenzie is my pet. I may have recruited many potential Pet Partners when people learn that they and their pet can become volunteer Pet Partners.”
So not only is Mackenzie a stellar therapy dog, learning all his manners at a very young age, but an ambassador for the program as well!
If you found this article helpful, you may enjoy our other columns
For more information about Delta Society
Photos provided by Lynn Michalson
Comments
Thank you for sharing our story and spreading the word about the important work performed by Therapy Dogs.
mackenzie is a cutie and now doing good things thanx to lynn
What a great article about my favorite neighbor, Mackenzie. A good looking doggie who makes people happy and brings joy to many lives. I have always said that dogs were the best people and Mac is a true example. Thanks for writing such a lovely article. Pat L
I was fortunate enough to see Mackenzie in action while my neighbor was at the hospital; he even made me feel wonderful. Lynn has been a long-time friend of mine and has so inspired me that I have signed up to be a volunteer at NYPresbyterian in the hopes that I may eventually be part of the PAWS for Patients Program. Thank you Lynn for all you do and thank you for writing this article.
Mackenzie is an unusual dog with an extraordinary ability of spreading joy around the people he meets every day. Most likely, an attribute Mackenzie acquired from Lynn, our delightfully friendly and kind hearted neighbor, who served as his role model by teaching him patience and devotion, beginning training at a very young age and, thus successfully prepared Mackenzie for this honorable role.
My husband was the Resident Building Manager where MacKenzie and Lynn live. He recently retired after 16 years of service in their building. My husband was very ill last year and was in New York Prebyterian Hospital. It was a delight for him to have MacKenzie and Lynn visit him. We miss them both.
great article lynne and mac. we are proud to be your friends.
mark dion and little frankie
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