Page 9 - Silver Linings Issue2

Peter’s affable demeanor is
the perfect complement to Bo’s placid nature.
“They are a wonderful pair,” wrote one patient on a Silver Star. “Both are so therapeutic and caring. Peter is such a great listener and is a very authentic and empathetic person.”
Bo’s services as a certified therapy dog are needed more than ever in these stressful times. For the safety of patients and staff members, Silver Hill Hospital restricted the use of volunteers at the beginning of the pandemic in order to limit the number of people coming on campus.
Another Silver Star from a patient reads: “Bo has such a positive impact on patients at Silver Hill. Bo and Peter are greatly appreciated and it’s big for us to spend time with the D.O.G. (Director of Goodness)”
“During COVID, Bo has become a celebrity of sorts here,” Peter says. “He cruises around with me because I’m all throughout the campus on a regular basis.”
Benefits of Therapy Dogs
According to research by UCLA’s People-Animal Connection, therapy dogs have numerous mental health benefits for patients, including
loneliness reduction, comfort, lower anxiety and increased
mental stimulation and memory recall. Its research also
prolactin and oxytocin – all mood- elevating hormones.
“There’s a therapeutic aspect, for sure,” Dr. Handler says. “There’s a sense of security and safety that comes with engaging with another
from the program early in training. These dogs are put up for adoption for alternate careers or to be pets.
There is a long waiting list to adopt
a dog from Guiding Eyes. Peter and Elizabeth waited two-and-a-half years
before “they called out of the blue to see if we were still interested in adopting.”
“Bo was the right dog for us,” Peter recalls and Bo became a member of the family, along with the Clark’s two children and two older long-haired dachshunds. Henry,
one of the dachshunds, previously served as a therapy dog.
The Clarks brought
Bo to The Good Dog Foundation in New York City, to be trained as a therapy dog. Bo is now a certified therapy and crisis response dog, meaning he can be called into an emergency situation to offer “unconditional love and companionship,” Peter says.
Bo made such an impact at The Good Dog Foundation that he was Mr. September in the organization’s 2019 fundraising calendar.
Making the Rounds
The Silver Stars recognize the impact Peter and Bo have on patients, but Peter says he gets a lot in return by being there for others. Just seeing Bo, Peter says, can flip the script for a patient having a bad day.
“It’s very rewarding and gratifying to see the impact Bo has on patients,” Peter says. “He knows who needs his attention and patients open up and respond to him. He’s a very cuddly dog. A lot of dogs won’t let you hug them for any extended of time, but patients do that to him all the time. It’s very grounding to have a dog like Bo around.”
Bo shows off some of his Silver Stars
found that petting an animal can generate an automatic relaxation response by releasing serotonin,
Peter Clark and Bo stroll the Silver Hill campus.
being that is not human. You have to use a different part of your brain to
connect with them. When you have a dog like Bo that you can trust, that trust is important in building self-confidence.”
Besides, Peter adds, “He’s just cute and fun to be with.”
Bo’s story
Bo came to the Clarks following a “career change.” He was training with Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown Heights, N.Y., to become a guide dog.
Because of the tremendous expense and time it takes to develop a guide dog, many candidates are removed
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SILVER LININGS MAGAZINE | ISSUE TWO | 2021