Heather Hays

Heather Hays has been visiting patients at Lourdes Hospital for 10 years. So, a lot of good people have volunteered at Lourdes longer than that, what’s the big deal?

Heather is a 13-year-old Scottish Terrier who lives with and adores Kathy Hays. And 10 dog years equals 70 people years. That’s the big deal.

Heather is pretty fantastic. She’s one of a small number of Scotties to earn her Open obedience title, Companion Dog Excellent, from the American Kennel Club. And she just earned an International Veterans Championship in conformation this summer.

We are excited to present little Heather as our inaugural iPet of the Week.

She is a Registered Therapy Dog, trained and certified to bring her special healing charms to folks in hospitals, nursing homes and schools, but for Heather, it’s the eighth floor at Lourdes — Physical and Occupational Therapy. When Kathy and Heather step off the elevator a chorus of “Heather’s here!” erupts from the staff.

Physical Therapy student Alison Pfister and her favorite pooch.

That Magic Tail
Charge Nurse Sheri Omeda RN lights up when the little terrier’s wagging tail appears. “Most of the patients really enjoy them,” she says of the therapy dogs. “So does the staff.”

Kathy and Heather go from room to room, stopping in each doorway to ask, “Would you like a visit from a Pet Therapy dog?” The answer is usually a broad smiling yes!

Heather focuses her magic on each patient. Kathy lifts her dog onto a chair next to a bed or a wheelchair, or onto the bed if the patient requests. (All therapy dogs are bathed before every visit.)

“Aren’t you wonderful to come and see me? Oh, I think she likes me, don’t you?”

Heather’s tail wags her joy, no matter how awkward her position. Her dark eyes, slightly clouded with age, sparkle her good spirits, and she gives her trademark air kisses. Her patients absently stroke her and talk about their own dogs, sometimes from long ago.

Physical Therapist Les Quartermous extols the virtues of Pet Assisted Therapy. He described a little girl, who had a “stroke arm, which she wouldn’t supinate,” (turn palm up). “The Therapy Dog came in, and we told the little girl to rub the dog’s belly, and sure enough, she did. Palm up. She hadn’t been able to do it to that point. It was great.”

Owner Kathy Hays holds Heather as a Lourdes patient reaches out for a little comfort.

Perfect Disposition
Kathy has had Heather since she was a 16-week-old wee pup. She says that her Scottie’s personality “lets her get along with everybody. She really enjoys it. She has the perfect disposition.” When asked about Heather’s age, Kathy says, “She’s losing her hearing a little bit, but we’ll keep visiting as long as she’s happy doing it. She’s a good dog.”

After the last patient is seen, the pair heads for the elevator down. A staff member with a cart of medication cries out, “Wait! Oh I just have to pet her. I can’t resist.”

And Heather brightens another person’s day with a bonny wag and smile.

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