Disabled Therapy Dog Visits Bryn Mawr Rehab Patients

Editor's Note: The following information was submitted by Leslie Feldman from Main Line Health's communications office.

A visit from a pet therapy dog can be a good distraction from a patient's illness or pain. But what about a disabled dog being used as a therapy dog? At , that idea is a reality.

Six-year-old Festus was a stray who had been trapped under something and had to chew off his own right front paw to free himself. The shelter who took him in and raised money so that he could have surgery to have the rest of the leg removed, because it is easier for him to walk around with just three legs than with a partial fourth leg. His owner, Domineck Scudera saw his listing on petswithdisabilities.org and adopted him.

“When I first saw Festus, it instantly popped in my mind that he would be a perfect therapy dog,” explained Scudera. “I adopted him knowing that this was his calling. Once he was home with me, I looked online and researched how to go about training him and we started the journey together.”

Festus and Scudera are certified as a pet therapy team with Therapy Dogs International (TDI). Scudera specifically targeted BMRH as a place to take Festus because of its established program and also because of the work the hospital does with amputees. Since Festus is also an amputee, Scudera thought that patients would really relate to him, and they do.

In addition to the program at BMRH, the Pet Therapy Programs at Lankenau, Bryn Mawr and Paoli Hospitals provide therapeutic companionship to patients in a variety of hospital units. The programs use only certified pet therapy dogs. A trained evaluator has tested these animals in areas such as temperament and obedience.

At Lankenau, the pet therapy program is being re-named the Cheryl D. Henrich Pet Visitation Program in loving memory of Henrich, a Lankenau employee who passed away in January. The program was so close to her personal interests, and contributions will support the training of dogs and handlers through their Delta Society certification, in addition to providing for unanticipated veterinary bills and uniforms for the volunteer canines. To make a contribution, call the Development Office at 484-476-8101, or email DonovanC@mlhs.org.