Animal assisted activity celebration

April 16, 2009 
 
St. Luke’s is celebrating Dog Appreciation and Volunteer Months with two Pet Pals Parties on Tuesday, April 21. The celebrations will take place at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Formal Lounge of St. Luke’s Resource Center.

The event will pay special tribute to former Cedar Rapids Mayor Robert M.L. Johnson, who passed away April 13.

In 2008, Johnson announced that the fund he set up through St. Luke’s Health Care Foundation to honor his late wife Edna Mae would provide scholarships for all of the Pet Pal volunteers who sought additional training.

In a letter to Pet Pals volunteers last summer, Johnson said, “It is a pleasure to know people like you who are willing to give of your time and energy to bring joy to patients who are in need of the affection of your pets. I think of all of you as you make your rounds with your Pet Pals.”

As a result of Johnson’s generosity, 23 volunteers and their pets have received Delta Society Certification.

“Mr. Johnson was a very kind, thoughtful and generous man who loved his wife deeply and wanted to honor her memory and her work as a volunteer at St. Luke’s,” said Chris Montross, Special Program Coordinator at St. Luke’s Spiritual Care Service. “When he learned of the work being done by the Pet Pals volunteers he knew that Edna Mae would have loved the program. He has been a wonderful part of our team and will be greatly missed.”

Montross said all volunteers and pets who work with St. Luke’s patients are invited to attend one of the celebrations to recognize Johnson and be honored for their animal assisted activity work.

“The Pet Pals Program has thrived immensely, due to Johnson and the interest and inspiration of dedicated volunteer support,” said Montross. “Animals offer love and acceptance, no matter what is going on with an illness or disease process. It’s a win-win situation for both the patients and animals.”

According to Montross, St. Luke’s has the largest Delta Society Pet Partners Program in the state. Montross says the St. Luke’s Delta Society emphasizes the human-animal health connection with 27 Pet Partner teams and three program coordinators.

Anyone who is interested in joining the St. Luke’s Animal Assisted Therapy Program should call 319/369-7347.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Corizzo, St. Luke’s Hospital, 319/369-8372 or 319/560-2385.