Move over Grumpy Cat, Kansas City has its own sourpuss.
"He has a little bit of a funny looking face," said Deborah Carr, a volunteer at St. Luke's Hospice House. "People laugh and say oh look it's Grumpy Cat because his mouth kind of goes down like that a little bit."
Meet Eugene, the only cat of Dogs on Call.
Carr is the handler of Eugene. The seven-year-old Himalayan is the sole cat of the St. Luke's Hospice House Dog's on Call - or DOC program.
"It makes me feel that I've done something worthwhile," said Carr. "I also think Eugene gets a lot out of it because he likes coming to visit people."
Through DOC, Eugene and 14 dogs bring joy and comfort to those at St. Luke's Hospice House, whether it's to patients in their final weeks of life, their families who are preparing to say goodbye or to the staff who deal with death day in and day out. Patients, family and staff can request one of the DOCs anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Honey is a golden retriever who loves to visit hospice.
DOC is part of the larger Pets for Life program, an organization that provides therapy pets to hospitals, retirement homes and the like.
"It's hard. We know that they're going through a really tough time and so if we can bring any sense of peace, that is our goal," said Melissa Tinklepaugh with St. Luke's Hospice House.
While DOC isn't short for doctor, many patients and staff say these pets do provide healing.
And it's working. On the days these therapy pets visit St. Luke’s, laughter fills the hallways and allows those there whether for work, a visit or to live forget about what's ailing them for a few moments and instead feel the warmth of unconditional love.
"People can help people. We all like to help people but also dogs and cats can help people too," said Carr. "We are all in this together."
Roxy may be small, but she sure is mighty.
A sit down with St. Luke's Hospice House41 Action News: What is a hospice house?Melissa Tinklepaugh: The integrity of it being a home-like setting is really important so people still feel like they are in their own homes. Nine out of 10 Americans want to die in their own homes in the comfort of the things that they love and that are surrounding them - family, friends, pets. It is important that we have a home-like setting for that.41: How does having pets here change the dynamic for patients?MT: It allows patients to pet the fur of the animal and to feel that warmth. They may have grown up with pets, so having that piece of home brought back to them is why this program was started.41: How do pets help?MT: Having a pet with you can reduce anxiety can reduce the pain that they might be experiencing. It just brings a different level of comfort. [The pet] can feel which patient or staff member or family member might need the most. It is amazing to see who the pet goes to.The pets can bring so much connection with the families. Sometimes there are the little kids that are feeling lost, they don't know what to do at this time - do we hug grandma do we not hug grandma, how do we act? The dogs in this space help create a sense of normality for them.41: And the pets help the people who work here as well?MT: Our staff experience is a lot of grief as well. So when the dogs come to the nurses station or are able to provide that distraction and that loving feeling - the dogs and the cat, the personalities of the volunteers that come in, it's amazing how much peace it brings to our staff as well.
Terra Hall can be reached at terra.hall@kshb.com.
