Monty got a letter

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I had my first teary moment since we started hospital visits with Monty last October. We went in with Monty as scheduled last Sunday and after I checked in on our floor a nurse hands me an envelope saying "this is for you".  I opened it to find a thank you card from a patient that we had seen three times in the last month. And it was not just a simple thank you. The whole card was filled with handwriting, even the back of it. I got all teary reading it.

The lady was from New York. When we were waiting for our patients' assignments one Sunday, a nurse came to us saying that perhaps we could visit room 911 since the patient was pretty upset and had a hard night. She must have been fresh from her lung surgery, she was in tears and in pain when we got to her room. An older lady, clutching on a rosary. Her husband by her side along with two nurses trying to make her more comfortable. She bursts into more tears as Monty comes near her. She caressed Monty's head as she drifted off to sleep thanks to the anxiety drugs the nurses administered.

A week later we are back in the hospital and a nurse comes running to tell us that Dorothy was talking about Monty the whole week. I was actually amazed that the patient remembered anything about the visit. So we go into her room again. This time she was much better, sitting in a chair. Her husband still by her side. Happy tears rolled down her cheeks as Monty peeked his head into her room ones again. 

On a third Sunday, we are back again. Before our hospital visit, I actually printed a couple of letter size pictures of Monty for Dorothy in case she was still there. She was. And it was a good timing since she was being released the day after. She was beyond herself to be able to see Monty for the third time and she loved the pictures.

How nice of her to actually go home and send a card to me and Monty, hoping it would get to us somehow. I knew that therapy dogs make a difference for patients, but this experience definitely hit home.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Oh, Jarka, this makes volunteering so gratifying.  How special.  I wish either of my doodles would be good doing this.

[Lynn D.]

Way to go Monty! Therapy dogs are VERY important to the "whole" patient's healing. Very few things in life can give such unconditional love and joy as a therapy pet. Thank you for your volunteer work!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

What a beautiful story...so special.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh Jarka, that picture says it all.  You and Monty are very special....thank you.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

That's so wonderful. Monty is a true star.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

YAY MONTY!!!  What a difference you make!

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

WOW.. What a sweet story.  I can't wait to get Bailey into the therapy dog program here in Jax...  I bet Monty's new friend would love a picture of him reading her card... What a special pair you two are!!

[Kyoko]

So nice...Makes such difference in the lives of people just when they are most vulnerable...

[Seamus & Haidee]

Thats awesome! way to go Monty!! What a great pic. Inspiring for future therapy dogs. xx

[Pat and Traveler]

Awwwww....touching story.  You do such good work!!!