Question: How did the llama get to Victoria Hospice's in-patient unit? Answer: He rode the elevator up!

'Why?' you might ask. The llama named Inca Warrior is a part of Hospice's pet therapy program, started in 1988 by Sadey Guy, then a recently retired nurse. She grew up knowing first-hand the psychological and physiological benefits of pairing pets with patients, and went on to found the Pacific Animal Therapy Society (PATS). With the help of a few friends she began visiting group homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and Victoria Hospice with animals in tow, a role previously filled by the SPCA and its inspectors.

Once a week, Sadey arrives on the unit with her dog Dylan, wearing his PATS bandanna when on duty. Before becoming a volunteer pet, Dylan underwent a variety of behavioural tests administered by a veterinarian, to ensure suitability for duty on the Victoria Hospice unit. Nineteen local vets now do such tests at no cost to the owners, ensuring that potential pet volunteers are obedient, playful and can interact with people appropriately (no biting allowed!). Dogs and llamas aren't the only animals to have visited with patients. A miniature horse, budgies, cats, and assorted fish (housed in the unit's solarium) have all been volunteer pets.

The goal of Victoria Hospice is to maintain as home-like an environment as possible for patients and families facing death and bereavement. For many, a family pet is an integral part of being at home, so the desire to care for it and enjoy its presence does not necessarily end when a person is admitted to the 17-bed in-patient unit at Royal Jubilee Hospital's Richmond Pavilion. According to Sadey, "Pets lower a patients blood pressure, stress level and encourage reminiscing." And apparently, the human/animal bond is a two-way street: petting an animal also lowers its heart rate and blood pressure.

Having pets nearby:

* offers patients the chance to play and to experience joy and laughter, * gives a sense of security to patients, something familiar an unfamiliar and possibly intimidating environment, * can increase a patient's willingness to verbalize (who doesn't occasionally confide in their pet?) and can facilitate communication between human beings in difficult circumstances, * gives people a sense of intimacy and closeness, a chance to touch and talk that may otherwise be lost in the hospital setting

The healing power of animal presence is felt by all who come to the Victoria Hospice unit. Hospice physician Dr. Ruth Simkin owns two wolfhounds, Wolfie and Lupie who are occasional visitors to our patients. One afternoon as she was leaving for the day, Dr. Ruth came across a grieving visitor sitting near the elevator. Wolfie eased her way towards the woman and faced her directly. The visitor looked down at the dog, placed her arms around Wolfie's neck, and began to sob. As the elevator arrived, the woman thanked Wolfie for her kindness: "You wonderful, wonderful dog! Thank you!" Dr. Ruth and her two dogs left the unit, their job done for the day.

To bring an animal to the Victoria Hospice unit for a long-term stay, pet owners need only to inform Hospice staff that they will be bringing a pet with them. The patient or the patient's family should provide all required food and litter, and the pet must remain confined to the patient's room, or otherwise be in the company of its owner.

© Copyright 2000, Victoria Hospice Society.