Page 36 - St. John's Healthcare Foundation FY17 Annual Report

Pet Therapy Volunteers Gift Shop
On most days at St. John’s Hospitals you will find four-legged volunteers working at Did you know that shopping may be good for your health? Our gift shops at
St. John’s Hospitals’ Acute and Subacute Rehabilitation units. These loyal dogs and their St. John’s Hospitals in Camarillo and Oxnard are perfect places to shop for
trained owners provide a welcome change for patients from the flight of medical staff flowers, sweets or gifts for someone you care about. Seasonal changes make Human connections in caring for others
that visit throughout the day. Research confirms that pet therapy helps promote healing frequent visits a must for birthday and holiday gifts. Our Auxiliary Volunteers
by increasing good brain chemicals. We know that it brightens the day of staff and and Gift Shop Managers will provide any help you need to explore the ever-
patients when the dogs make their rounds. changing displays. The great news is that your purchase is an investment in
patient care. The gift shops are supporting the Circle of Dignity Expansion and
JJ’s Angel Modernization projects at both hospitals.
Angel started volunteering over seven years ago
after she received and endorsement from Love on
a Leash, one of the organizations that certifies dog
Human connections in caring for others
volunteers for service at St. John’s Hospitals. Angel
accompanies her owners, Jill and Jack Bernick, as
she visits patients at St. John’s Hospitals, as well
as other care facilities throughout Ventura County.

Angel is the couple’s second volunteer pet. JJ, their
first, died after having served the community for
nine years. Jill tells the story of a little boy, whose
nurse was trying to coax out of a wheelchair to a
walker. He was arguing that he didn’t want to do it.
I approached the boy saying, “You know, I take JJ out
for a walk every day and she really looks forward to
it. Today I didn’t have time to do that. Would you do
it for me?” The boy slowly stood up, grabbed the leash
and put both hands on the walker. He walked across the
room and down the fourth floor. Though JJ is long gone, Angel follows in the footsteps of her
predecessor, doing tricks and pouring affection on her patients. JJ’s Angel, whose only flaws are
that she loves pumpkin pie and can’t hold her “licker,” has followed in the footsteps of her fearless
predecessor, doing tricks, pouring affection on her patients, and helping humans to connect
through their love of dogs.

36 37