A dog and his man start a new practice
Archie the dog visits patients to help comfort them
by Gary Pethe, Elkhart Truth

GOSHEN – Some say health care in the U.S. is going to the dogs. If Archie Morgan could talk, he'd tell you that's a good thing.

Archie, a 9-year old Shih Tzu, and his human partner/owner, David Morgan, are members and founders of Northern Indiana Pet Partners, a nonprofit group organizing volunteers and their "comforting creatures" for visitation and therapy programs in nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and schools.

Morgan and Archie have logged more than 1,600 patient visits since starting the program five years ago.

"I was searching for a volunteer opportunity when a friend from the Delta Society to my attention," Morgan said.

The Society is a 29-year old national, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving human health through service and therapy animals. Dogged in his determination to volunteer, Morgan set out to learn more about the Delta Society.

The trick was, Indianapolis was the closest Delta Society chapter. "And the nearest teams I could find were in Valparaiso and Fort Wayne – but there were none in Elkhart or St. Joseph counties," Morgan said.

With the help of a training manual and self-guided practice, Archie and Morgan passed intensive evaluation and classroom sessions in Indianapolis to become certified as health-care pet partners.

The duo then came home, intent on forming a northern Indiana chapter. Morgan presented the idea to Goshen Health System representatives. "They were excited about it, and soon after that, we were able to begin visiting patients in Goshen General Hospital's sub-acute, transitional unit," Morgan said.

An existing hospital policy allowed patients' pets to be brought into the transitional unit, so that was a logical place to begin.

Hospital policies eventually were modified to enable Archie to visit more areas of the hospital.

"The hospital's volunteer department was really helpful in opening up more departments to us," Morgan said. "Now, we can go just about everywhere, except for the obstetrics and intensive care units." But with medical staff approval, Archie can bring Morgan and visit patients in the ICU, if requested.

Carla Beasley, Goshen General Hospital director of volunteer services, said Pet Partners is a big hit at the hospital. "Patients tell us they like visiting with Archie and his friends because they're reminded of home and of pets they have cherished in the past," she noted. "Staff people like the program, too, and are very good about helping Pet Partners volunteers connect with patients."

Goshen resident Cindy Vance prizes the pet-human connection for enriching her father's last days of life.

Archie and Morgan visited Vance's father, Fred Hartsough of Shipshewana, earlier this year in Goshen General. According to Vance, her 84-year old father was in the intensive care unit and unresponsive - until Archie came in and cuddled with him.

"It was so awesome when Dad immediately opened his eyes and began petting Archie," Vance said. "All of the ICU unit nurses came in and were simply amazed."

Archie unleashed his canine affection and, in those priceless moments, melded with Hartsough.

Thanks to The Elkhart Truth and writer Gary Perthe for this article.

© June 25, 2006 The Elkhart Truth