Pet Therapy Dog Lincoln Makes 250th Visit to MHP

MHP Volunteer Victoria Laird of Oskaloosa and her Pet Therapy dog, Lincoln, recently celebrated their 250th visit to Mahaska Health Partnership. Victoria and Lincoln have been visiting patients, families and employees on the MHP campus since 2010. Inpatient Geriatric Psychiatry staff welcomed Victoria and Lincoln with a cake and celebration on their 250th visit.

MAHASKA COUNTY – Mahaska Health Partnership Inpatient Geriatric Psychiatry recently celebrated its 250th visit from Pet Therapy dog Lincoln, and his trainer, Victoria Laird.

According to MHP Volunteer Coordinator Kim Langfitt, Victoria has been bringing her therapy dogs to visit patients for many years. “Victoria and her three therapy dogs have been volunteering at MHP since 2010. Lincoln is our most frequent visitor. It’s great that we have reached such a milestone!”

All three of Victoria’s therapy dogs are graduates of Therapy Dog International (TDI), a volunteer group organized in 1976. Through the program dogs are tested and evaluated for therapy work by Certified TDI evaluators. While many dogs provide love and companionship in the home, not all dogs are qualified or have the temperament suited to be a therapy dog.

“I chose to take my dogs through the training course due to their affectionate and kind demeanors, which I thought would be a great thing to share with others,” Laird explained. “Each dog had to pass a rigorous test, which included some steps of the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen test. They were evaluated on many key factors, including listening to commands, appearance and grooming, as well as friendliness and accepting a friendly stranger.”

TDI dogs are also required to have an annual Health Record Form that is completed and signed by a licensed veterinarian. According to MHP policy, patients must agree to be visited by a therapy dog, strict hand hygiene is enforced and the dog’s handler must be present for each visit.

The Pet Therapy Program at MHP is currently utilized in Inpatient Services and Inpatient Geriatric Psychiatry, a service that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of complex mental health problems for senior adults.

“Lincoln brings such joy to patients whenever they see him,” Laird explained. “He can sense when someone needs him or when they would rather avoid interaction with him. Sometimes families need him more than the patients, and he reaches out to them as well. He’s very in tune with his surroundings and who can benefit from his services.”

“His presence at MHP brightens the lives of not only our patients but their families, visitors and our staff,” Langfitt stressed. “We are so grateful for Victoria’s commitment to providing this valuable therapy in Oskaloosa.”

Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, look us up on the web: mahaskahealth.org.