KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Medical patients received their first visit of the People Utilizing Pet Services program Sept. 24 at the Keesler Medical Center.
The program, which allows certified dogs to visit with patients, brought joy and a morale boost to patients recovering from surgical procedures. Jan Tucker, Visiting Pet Teams of South Mississippi volunteer, and her dog Toby were allowed to visit several patients throughout the Surgical Inpatient Unit.
After two years of planning, Sandie Schlett, VPTSM coordinator and longtime Keesler volunteer, was able to see her dream of the hospital getting a pet therapy program with the help of Keesler leadership and 1st Lt. Jessica Bertke, 81st Inpatient Operation Squadron clinical nurse.
“When I found out about the VPTSM group in Gulfport I realized they were going to different places in the area but at that time Keesler had no pet therapy program,” said Schlett. “Fortunately, I was able to meet a general here on base in 2013 who was also a dog lover and asked him about starting a program at the Keesler Medical Center and he was all for it. Over the past two years, all of the process has been worth it because the program is finally kicking off today.”
Douglas Haas, Surgical Inpatient Unit patient, was able to receive one of the first visits. After more than 24 hours at the hospital, according to Haas he was thankful for the visit because Toby reminded him of his dog at home.
“The dog was so cute when he came in,” said Haas. “I have a small dog myself so it was nice to see him come and visit. I have family who comes and visits me but sometimes it gets lonely so I believe it’s a wonderful idea to have the dogs come and visit the patients. I think it’s going to boost the morale of the patients and also the people working here.”
Haas, who is a first time patient at Keesler Medical Center, also believes that the program will make the already great hospital even better.
“I’ve been in many service hospitals to get treatment and Keesler Medical Center is the best one I’ve ever been to,” said Haas. “By adding this program, it’s taking an extraordinary hospital and making it even better.”
For those wanting to volunteer their dog for the PUPS program, contact Bertke at 228-376-5612 or the VPTSM at 228-265-0336.