Therapy Dog Spreads Love To Hospice Patients

Hospice patients at The Oaks at Northpointe are receiving tender care from an unlikely source.

Rusty, a chocolate lab and collie mix, is bringing lots of joy to patients, families, and staff at the assisted living facility. Genesis Hospice is putting a spotlight on Rusty, as part of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.

The certified therapy dog has been providing comfort and affection to hospice patients all across the community for three years. Rusty’s owner, Tony Reese, said patients look forward to seeing his smiling face each week.

"They look forward to him coming, and they’ll even offer to talk to the nurses and aids, regarding ‘Is rusty coming today? Is rusty coming today?’ and I’m referred to as the guy with the dog," Reese said.

Rusty underwent nine weeks of training before he earned his official Genesis badge, and it isn’t just nursing homes he visits, as Rusty is specifically trained to provide care in hospitals, schools and other facilities. The Oaks at Northpointe is just one of the many places where he spreads his love.

"He’s not a working dog, he’s just a therapy dog, and he just gives loves and affection to people, and his personality is really such that he loves to do that, he looks forward when I put his red kerchief on to go, he knows he’s going to visit some people," Reese said.

If you’d like to schedule a visit from a therapy dog through Genesis Hospice, call (740) 454-5352.