Bama – An Amazing Therapy Dog

Here’s a heartwarming story about the special bond that developed between a sensitive dog and a young leukemia patient who was very frustrated and had little to smile about. It begins with Monica and her therapy dog, Bama, who live in Virginia. Over the past 6 months they have been volunteering at the Medical Center of Virginia (MCV) in Richmond with the Dogs on Call program. “When Bama and I visit patients we learn a lot about them, we listen, we talk, we pet Bama and we share tears,” says Monica. “Every patient has taught me something -- from facts about Bloodhounds to life regrets to their happiest moments to their saddest day.” Monica points out that when a dog is present, people get a sense of acceptance and unconditional love; the gentle canine eyes and the soft fur are comforting. On Bama's first visit to the hospital, she and Monica went to the Pediatric Unit. “Bama and I were both nervous. After all of the training, you don't know how a dog is going to react in a hospital setting,” Monica shared. “The scents and activity levels of hospitals are very unpredictable. In July 2006 we visited a ten-year-old girl named Katie, who was diagnosed with High Risk Pre-Cursor B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).” Monica says that Bama and Katie connected instantly. Bama got on the bed with Katie, who was smiling, and Bama was so gentle. They have since developed a relationship with Katie and her family who have graciously endured so much during her illness. An e-mail that Katie's mom sent to Monica was especially touching:

“Dear Monica and Bama, We talk about you both every day -- seriously, not a day goes by without a mention of beautiful Bama and Monica (also beautiful). But it's so much more. The day you brought Bama to visit Katie in the hospital was a turning point for Katie. Everyone felt it. We knew Katie was going to be OK. It was very scary until then. She was so sick and so angry. And then, in a day, in an hour, everything changed! There is a reason she has not been back in the hospital since then. She IS going to get better. Do you think Bama knows what an impact she had on a 10-year-old girl? She is a very special dog-with a very special owner.”

Katie is now at home and getting better. Before Katie returned home, she and Bama had several visits in the hospital. Recently, Katie and Bama were featured in a documentary produced by several film students from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Bama was recently on hand for Katie’s 11th birthday in April and ended up being the star of the event. When Bama was given her own piece of birthday cake, she was so excited that she tried to gobble it down in one try. Today, Monica says that Katie continues her journey, and sometimes there are bumps in the road. “Bama sits with Katie during her chemotherapy treatments and blood-draws, on good days and bad,” Monica says. “Bama continues to amaze me with her unconditional love, patience, kindness, strength and her intuitive nature around Katie. I know Bama can sense when Katie is having a difficult day. It is truly amazing and proves the impact that a dog can have on a child. “