Phoebe

Entrant's First Name
Kelly May

I am a Therapy Animal

Tell us a story about how pet therapy touched your life.
Phoebe and I began as a team this year. It has been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. My mom was in Mayo very sick for many years. She passed three years ago and I promised myself I would go back to Mayo when I was able to emotionally. It has been the greatest thing I’ve ever done. And Phoebe has been perfect for the “job”.
When I am having a tough day I believe it is truly therapy for me as well. Having the opportunity to make a difference in people’s day is the single greatest gift I could ever ask for. When people thank us for making their day, I thank them for touching our lives as well.
For my mom in heaven. My best friend! I love and miss her so much. I know she loves what we are doing.

Give us an example of a special interaction between your therapy animal and the person they were visiting.
There was a woman receiving chemo each week at Mayo. I noticed her several times in a wheel chair sitting with her head down. We didn’t approach her the first several times we saw her but one day she picked her head up and we were able to make eye contact. She was obviously very sick and not feeling well. She was in her wheelchair outside waiting for her ride to pull up. When I made eye contact I asked her if she would like to pet phoebe. She did for a few minutes and she thanked me and went home. The following week we saw her again but this time in the waiting area. She asked me if she could hold phoebe in her lap. Phoebe laid down in her lap quietly while the women petted her. She talked about how she wanted to work hard to get better so she could have a dog of her own at home. She cried and told her husband she would do anything she needed to do so she could have a dog like phoebe at home to love on. She shared her illness with me over the course of about 30 minutes and cried most of the time. Phoebe laying in her lap the entire time enjoying the comfort she was receiving as well. It was obvious by her husbands reaction that she was not getting a dog most likely and probably due to the severity of her illness. I have not seen her since that time but we kook for her and pray for her!