David and Deanie Jorgensen have just arrived at the Duke Cancer Center Radiation Oncology clinic when they spot Hoshi, a black English Labrador Retriever who works as a therapy dog through Pets at Duke.
David beelines over to pet Hoshi. This is David’s first day of radiation treatment at Duke – although he and Deanie worked at Duke for 48 and 40 years, respectively – and he’s glad to see a friendly (furry) face. "We’ve had dogs all our life until now," says Deanie, smiling at Hoshi.
Hoshi, who recently turned nine years old, sits down and noses David's hand.
She started working as a therapy dog when she was two, after a rigorous training and certification process. "In fact," says one of Hoshi’s handlers, Ed, "she had to go through the certification process twice, because my wife Joan and I both work as her handlers!"
When they first got Hoshi, Joan and Ed knew that they wanted her to train as a therapy dog. "I love talking to people and hearing their stories – and seeing patients' faces light up when they pet Hoshi is wonderful," says Joan. "Just this morning, three people have come up to me and said, 'thank you so much, I needed that today.'"
Over her career, Hoshi has worked at Duke Cancer Center, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Hospice, various nursing homes and with Duke students in the library and during exam week.
She generally volunteers around twice a month and "enjoys it so much," says Ed. “She gets really excited when we drive into the Duke parking deck. She gets out of the car and prances around. Plus, she knows she gets a special treat each time she gets home from volunteering!"
Duke Radiation Oncology offers pet therapy through Pets at Duke the first Thursday of the month from 10-11:30 a.m. The Pets at Duke program is offered through the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program; research shows that pet therapy can reduce stress and depression and provide a sense of companionship and connection.
