Hospitals and medical staff try to do everything possible to make the stay of young children as comfortable as possible. However, the separation from the familiar makes it a hardship. Some children can tolerate it much better than others. Joshua is one of the young pre-schoolers who just has a rough time with a hospital stay. He does not sleep well. His appetite has disappeared. The problems that he sees and hears trouble him.

It has been a rough adjustment for him until today. Joshua is much better because he met Lucy.

Lucy is a happy Newfoundland dog. She is well over a solid hundred pounds (over forty five kilograms), has a bounce in her step and a tail that seems to shake the back end of her frame. When Lucy came into the room and I introduced her to Joshua, it was an instant friendship. She looked at him intently and howled. Joshua was startled but then he tried to hush her and told Lucy that she probably shouldn’t do that.

Lucy didn’t howl again but she tried to climb up onto the bed. The height, combined with her size, made it very difficult. She actually was moving the bed. As a couple of us held the bed, Lucy’s owner gave an assist from the backside and Lucy managed to climb onto the bed.

I had to leave for a few minutes. When I came back, Joshua was sleeping with this massive dog by his side. Lucy and Joshua were sharing a pillow - such a big dog and a frail little boy. No medication was needed for Joshua - just a friendly, smart, gentle Newfoundland dog. Lucy is a therapy dog. I have no doubt whatsoever that Lucy knew exactly what she had to do. No doubt at all.

Catherine Forsythe