Helping paws: Pooches please patients Pets prove to be powerful presence

It's difficult to have a good bedside manner when your head doesn't reach the top of the mattress, but that hasn't stopped Tedi. He simply waits for someone to pick him up and put him on a patient's bed.

After all, no obstacle is too large for a therapy dog with a mission.

Dr. Pom

One of Ms. Adair's pet stories is about Frank and Tedi's canine predecessor, Jackie. When Frank's doctors gave him six months to live, he went to a hospice to spend his last days in peace and quiet. Then along came Jackie, wheeled through the hallways in a tiny, multi-colored wagon that matched the blues and reds of his bow tie.

With his tail running an Olympic marathon and intelligent eyes promising friendship, Jackie pawed his way right into Frank's heart. Thirty months after the doctors had put a six-month limit on his life, Frank was still anticipating the fuzzy Pomeranian's frequent visits.

Jackie's miracle

Garbed in the cowboy hat and scarf that Frank liked so much, Jackie took his place by Frank's side. Ms. Adair placed Frank's hand on the cowboy hat, then on Jackie's side. Within minutes, Frank was sitting up and asking for water. Frank finally passed away that evening, but his last day was soothed by Jackie's presence.

After Jackie's sudden death five years ago, his breeder gave Tedi to Ms. Adair so the therapy tradition would continue. Tedi picked up where Jackie left off, rolling down hospital hallways in his brightly colored wagon, performing tricks for anyone who would watch.

Sam the Span'

Sam is a cocker spaniel with a mission. It isn't hard to tell when he arrives at the hospice; the delighted greetings from the nurses alert everyone to his presence: "Sammy Boy!...Hey, buddy, how's it going?...Look how handsome you are today!"

Sam's stubby tail tick-tocks from side to side as he laps up the attention like an adored prince. Jogging from one nurse to another, he bestows sloppy kisses on all of his subjects. Then it's time to go to work, and Sam looks to owner Tom Rourke, a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Church in Albany.

God and dog

"Oh, yes!" she says, her eyes brightening as she sees Sam. In an instant, Sam has perched two well-manicured paws on the arms of the patient's chair. The woman reaches out to stroke Sam's head, whose fur is left extra-thick for better petting. She begins to reminisce about her husband's hunting dogs from years ago.

As she absently runs her hand along Sam's head, he licks the woman's fingers, approving wholeheartedly of the attention he gets.

Hospital Bill

"I brought you company today; would you like a visit from Sam?" asks Mr. Rourke. Bill motions to an empty spot on the bed, his eyes saying all that his throat will not allow. Sam successfully makes the leap to Bill's side.

At once, he submits to the patient's gentle strokes and returns the affection by enthusiastically licking Bill's face.

"There's something magic about the dogs that we humans don't have," Ms. Adair says.

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