On our very first visit at St. Mary’s Hospital on a Friday, Buddy met a little boy who had his tonsils out on Tuesday. He was supposed to go home on Wednesday, but because he wouldn’t drink anything, the hospital wouldn’t discharge him. His frustrated mom said he’d eat hot dogs and chocolate cake, but no liquids.
Thinking that if we showed the boy how Buddy would take a drink, maybe he’d try – and it worked! Buddy was glad to demonstrate drinking from his collapsible bowl, then the boy showed Buddy how he could take sips from a cup, then drink using a bendy straw. We heard later that the boy was able to go home the next day. Animal-assisted therapy!
Karen Peckham