Sometimes all it takes is a wagging tail and a gentle paw to brighten a day.

Meet Moby, a white labradoodle who brings both smiles and tears as he works his way around Shuswap Lake General Hospital every Wednesday.

Moby is a certified St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog, and Moby does his job well, says owner Joyce Polley.

And 91裸聊视频淒r. Dog91裸聊视频� just seems to know what to do, she says.

91裸聊视频淥ne fella said 91裸聊视频業 sure do appreciate you Moby; I enjoyed this visit very much,91裸聊视频� says Polley, noting the atmosphere in one room might be light and positive, while the mood may be much more sombre in another patient91裸聊视频檚 room. 91裸聊视频淲e were called into a palliative patient91裸聊视频檚 room. Moby walked over to the bed, put his head on the bed for a moment and went back to the family member, who wrapped her arms around him and just cried and cried.91裸聊视频�

Polley tells about a visit to the emergency room when a fellow who had injured his hands walked over to Moby and made the only gesture he could, laying two fingers on the dog91裸聊视频檚 head.

91裸聊视频淧eople seem to absorb a sense a of calm from Moby,91裸聊视频� she says. 91裸聊视频淚 often stand back and let Moby do his thing. We take the cues from him because he seems to know what to do.91裸聊视频�

Donna Goodwin is another 91裸聊视频淒r. Dog91裸聊视频� fan.

Approaching the end of a series of chemo treatments, Goodwin says everyone in the chemo room last Wednesday brightened visibly when Moby made his tail-wagging entrance.

91裸聊视频淭hat is such a gorgeous dog; I was in three weeks ago and he gave me a big kiss,91裸聊视频� she says. 91裸聊视频淚 am an animal person and he91裸聊视频檚 a gentle sweetie pie, so well-mannered, and he goes around and puts his head on people91裸聊视频檚 laps.91裸聊视频�

Polley got Moby when he was a year-and-a half-old from a good kennel, but says he was 91裸聊视频渙ne wild and crazy guy.91裸聊视频�

She took him to dog obedience classes and was allowed to practice his therapy skills in one of the unoccupied rooms of a care home she was working in.

On the day he went to get certified, all the care aides were asking 91裸聊视频渉as Moby passed?91裸聊视频�

That was almost eight years ago. Since then Moby and Polley have visited schools and seniors91裸聊视频� residences, beginning hospital visits about a year-and-a-half ago.

91裸聊视频淓ven though he was pretty high strung, I knew he was a gentle dog and once he started working, he just seemed to know what to do.91裸聊视频�

And so does Bean. The beagle and his owner Gail Viens visit Bastion Place on Mondays, where they are very well received.

The residents can easily relate to Bean, who has ALS and is wheeled around on his own chair on wheels.

Robin Greencorn, co-ordinator of volunteer services for Shuswap Lake General Hospital and Bastion Place, has worked with St. John Therapy Dogs in the past.

91裸聊视频淚 really believe in the program; in many cases have seen what it can do in residential sites,91裸聊视频� says Greencorn who has worked in health care for more than 25 years. 91裸聊视频淚t brightens their day, brings them out of their shell and makes them smile.91裸聊视频�

Greencorn says she has seen the therapy dog program working at all levels of care and she wanted to give it a try in the acute-care setting.

91裸聊视频淥ften in acute care, we don91裸聊视频檛 have time to address the spiritual needs of patients, especially at Christmas,91裸聊视频� she says, pointing out the hospital has an amazing medical staff and Moby91裸聊视频檚 visits brighten their day too. 91裸聊视频淲hen we bring in Moby, he helps with emotional healing.91裸聊视频�

Greencorn calls Polley an amazing handler and co-ordinator of eight therapy dogs who work in Salmon Arm and Sicamous.

91裸聊视频淲hen I brought it in, I had no idea it would be so successful,91裸聊视频� adds Greencorn. 91裸聊视频淭he response has far exceeded expectations; Moby has really made Shuswap Lake General Hospital special.91裸聊视频�