Pet therapy making difference in lives of patients, families at Rochester Regional Health

Greece, N.Y. (WHAM) — Once a week, Desiree Voorhies and her certified therapy dog, Rufus, make their way down the halls of the Elizabeth G. and Jennifer J. Hildebrant Hospice Care Center in Greece.

Rufus greets two sisters, Jan and Joan, who have been preparing to say goodbye to their 100-year-old mother.

The pair said even in the tense times of grief, Rufus' presence brings comfort.

“Everybody goes through a process, and you need a break,” Jan said.

“Mom needs it too,” Jan continued. “She can't see, she can't interact, but she can hear, and she can hear how happy we are to see Rufus and pet Rufus.”

Rufus is one of several dogs involved in Rochester Regional Health's pet therapy program, which helps patients and their families navigate end-of-life situations.

For Voorhies, volunteering in hospice care was a calling.

“Our job, as we see it, is, we can bring a smile to somebody at this point in their time, wonderful,” Voorhies said.

“In my mind, it's clear a load gets lifted just a little bit,” Voorhies continued. “It doesn't take things away, but it makes the atmosphere lighter. You can almost feel people start to breathe a little easier.”

The pet therapy program was forced to pause during the pandemic, but is now making a comeback.

“Slowly but surely, we've grown our pool of pet therapists up to eight,” said Tage Brown, manager of family life services for RRH's hospice.

“I can't think of a more comforting, dignified presence than a dog,” Brown continued.

If you are looking to volunteer at the Hildebrant Hospice Care Center with your certified therapy dog, you can call (585) 214-1000.

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