Christine Williams remembers seeing the difference that pet therapy could make on hospital patients. With many friends working at Riley Children’s Health, Williams enjoyed visiting children in the hospital with Knuckles, her Boston Terrier. “There’s nothing like [the] human and animal bond. To see that with kids was amazing,” Williams says.

In May, noticing herself looking gray and having lost somewhere between 30 and 40 pounds in fewer than six months, Williams made a visit to the Michael & Susan Smith Emergency Department. After undergoing a CT scan and colonoscopy, she received a diagnosis of rectal cancer.

Williams immediately requested a nutritionist to help regain the weight she had lost. Her Eskenazi Health nutritionist helped her navigate a strict residue-free diet and prepare for the difficulties of her upcoming treatment. “I was already on her radar,” Williams says of her nutritionist, adding that she was someone who she felt was “taking care of me.”

With her oncologist’s guidance, Williams decided to undergo a colostomy. During her recovery from the procedure, remembering what dogs had done for people’s spirits during her visits to Riley, she requested a visit from the Robert & Gina Laikin Pet Therapy team. Emily Smith, the pet therapy manager, brought therapy dogs to visit Williams in her hospital room.

Smith manages the Robert & Gina Laikin Pet Therapy program, a team of volunteers and their therapy dogs. She works with volunteers to prepare their pets to work as therapy dogs in the hospital and other clinical settings. After undergoing training and testing to ensure their preparation, therapy dogs bring comfort to patients and staff members.

Interacting with the therapy dogs brought Williams peace and helped her to forget about everything else for a time. “You could tell it made her happy,” Smith recalls of the visits.

“It was immediate,” Williams remembers, “I felt better every time one of those volunteers came in.”

Christine is preparing for the start of her chemotherapy treatment. With the help of her Eskenazi Health nutritionist, she has regained her color and some of the weight she had lost. Having brought children the gift of puppy interactions and now experiencing that joy herself, Williams is a strong advocate for the healing power of pet therapy. “It’s really, really a good thing. All hospitals should have [pet therapy]. I’m so appreciative, and it’s important and people should know more about it.”

Patients who would like to request a visit while in the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital should speak with their nurse or call 317.926.8736. To learn more about the Robert & Gina Laikin Pet Therapy Program, please visit eskenazihealth.edu/programs/pet-therapy.