Sometimes all it takes is a wagging tail and a gentle paw to brighten a day.

Meet Moby, a white labradoodle who brings both smiles and tears as he works his way around Shuswap Lake General Hospital every Wednesday.

Moby is a certified St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog, and Moby does his job well, says owner Joyce Polley.

And 香蕉视频直播淒r. Dog香蕉视频直播� just seems to know what to do, she says.

香蕉视频直播淥ne fella said 香蕉视频直播業 sure do appreciate you Moby; I enjoyed this visit very much,香蕉视频直播� says Polley, noting the atmosphere in one room might be light and positive, while the mood may be much more sombre in another patient香蕉视频直播檚 room. 香蕉视频直播淲e were called into a palliative patient香蕉视频直播檚 room. Moby walked over to the bed, put his head on the bed for a moment and went back to the family member, who wrapped her arms around him and just cried and cried.香蕉视频直播�

Polley tells about a visit to the emergency room when a fellow who had injured his hands walked over to Moby and made the only gesture he could, laying two fingers on the dog香蕉视频直播檚 head.

香蕉视频直播淧eople seem to absorb a sense a of calm from Moby,香蕉视频直播� she says. 香蕉视频直播淚 often stand back and let Moby do his thing. We take the cues from him because he seems to know what to do.香蕉视频直播�

Donna Goodwin is another 香蕉视频直播淒r. Dog香蕉视频直播� fan.

Approaching the end of a series of chemo treatments, Goodwin says everyone in the chemo room last Wednesday brightened visibly when Moby made his tail-wagging entrance.

香蕉视频直播淭hat is such a gorgeous dog; I was in three weeks ago and he gave me a big kiss,香蕉视频直播� she says. 香蕉视频直播淚 am an animal person and he香蕉视频直播檚 a gentle sweetie pie, so well-mannered, and he goes around and puts his head on people香蕉视频直播檚 laps.香蕉视频直播�

Polley got Moby when he was a year-and-a half-old from a good kennel, but says he was 香蕉视频直播渙ne wild and crazy guy.香蕉视频直播�

She took him to dog obedience classes and was allowed to practice his therapy skills in one of the unoccupied rooms of a care home she was working in.

On the day he went to get certified, all the care aides were asking 香蕉视频直播渉as Moby passed?香蕉视频直播�

That was almost eight years ago. Since then Moby and Polley have visited schools and seniors香蕉视频直播� residences, beginning hospital visits about a year-and-a-half ago.

香蕉视频直播淓ven though he was pretty high strung, I knew he was a gentle dog and once he started working, he just seemed to know what to do.香蕉视频直播�

And so does Bean. The beagle and his owner Gail Viens visit Bastion Place on Mondays, where they are very well received.

The residents can easily relate to Bean, who has ALS and is wheeled around on his own chair on wheels.

Robin Greencorn, co-ordinator of volunteer services for Shuswap Lake General Hospital and Bastion Place, has worked with St. John Therapy Dogs in the past.

香蕉视频直播淚 really believe in the program; in many cases have seen what it can do in residential sites,香蕉视频直播� says Greencorn who has worked in health care for more than 25 years. 香蕉视频直播淚t brightens their day, brings them out of their shell and makes them smile.香蕉视频直播�

Greencorn says she has seen the therapy dog program working at all levels of care and she wanted to give it a try in the acute-care setting.

香蕉视频直播淥ften in acute care, we don香蕉视频直播檛 have time to address the spiritual needs of patients, especially at Christmas,香蕉视频直播� she says, pointing out the hospital has an amazing medical staff and Moby香蕉视频直播檚 visits brighten their day too. 香蕉视频直播淲hen we bring in Moby, he helps with emotional healing.香蕉视频直播�

Greencorn calls Polley an amazing handler and co-ordinator of eight therapy dogs who work in Salmon Arm and Sicamous.

香蕉视频直播淲hen I brought it in, I had no idea it would be so successful,香蕉视频直播� adds Greencorn. 香蕉视频直播淭he response has far exceeded expectations; Moby has really made Shuswap Lake General Hospital special.香蕉视频直播�