The threat of COVID-19 is serious since many people worldwide had died because of it. Frontliners are more exposed to the virus, as they are the ones taking care of positive patients. What they have been battling with ever since the spread of the virus began was both physically and mentally draining for them, just like what Dr. Susan Ryan and her staff experienced at Rose Medical Center in Denver. Luckily for them, one member of their team helped them get through each day.
Dr. Ryan is not only an emergency physician of the said hospital but is also a volunteer puppy raiser with Canine Companions for Independence or CCI. It is a non-profit organization with a mission to improve the lives of disabled people by supporting them with highly trained assistance dogs and offering quality partnerships.
The dog’s name is Wynn, and Dr. Ryan has been with her for over two years. Even the medical personnel have gotten attached to Wynn because they all experienced being cared about by her. Dr. Ryan shared that the dog taught her the importance of staying present despite dealing with the worst year of their lives. The first time might have been the scariest part for them because they did not know if they could survive, but their pledge to heal the sick and with the dog beside them, things became achievable, at least.
Everyone got sad that their support system had to leave, the dog who served as everyone’s stress reliever when faced with a hard day. Wynn was required to go back to CCI to continue her training of being a service dog for those in need. Because of her sudden departure, members of the emergency staff gathered for a farewell dedicated to her and even prepared signboards calling her a hero.
Here is one photo from their send-off party.
For them to exert effort into giving her a heartwarming send-off, Wynn undoubtedly has helped them big time.
Shown in the video below was how the members of the hospital managed to cope up with stress through the help of Wynn during those trying times.
Video credit: TODAY via Youtube