By Violet Chazkel
In Fort Carson, Colorado, a group of dedicated volunteers on the American Red Cross Animal Visitation teams have been making a wonderful impact on the military community.
From July 24 to July 28, a heartwarming initiative, known as the “Dog Days of Summer”, campaign, provides a unique gift to staff and patients at the Evans Army Community Hospital.
Volunteers and their four-legged companions bring comfort and a sense of companionship to patients who may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.
Among the key players of this incredible initiative are Boomer, a seven-year-old Newfoundland, along with his handler Kim Musgrove. For five years, 140-pound Boomer and Kim have been visiting staff and patients around the hospital.
Red Cross volunteer, Brenda DuPont and nine-year-old Austrian Shepard, Mandie have been providing support at the Evans Army Community Hospital for a little over a year.
Mandie’s enthusiasm for love and human interaction has made her a beloved visitor in patient waiting areas and the Behavioral Health department.
Linda Chadwick and her Border Collie, Frisco, are another pair that embody the spirit of service and compassion. They’re routine visits around the hospital, Pediatrics and Behavioral Health departments, and even at the medical clinic at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
At the Evans Army Community Hospital, the therapy dogs are a beacon of hope, comfort, and happiness.
The “Dog Days of Summer” event is a testament to the power of the human-animal bond and the compassion of volunteers on the Animal Visitation teams.
The American Red Cross, the dedicated volunteers and their incredible therapy dogs are truly making a difference in the Fort Carson community.
