Clear the Shelters: A day in the life of therapy dogs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — They aren’t just a man’s best friend, these two dogs are providing some much-needed therapy to patients across Mercy Hospital-Fort Smith.

Baxter and Lolabella go from door to door with hospice patients. These two dogs are helping people get their mind off things by providing some cuddles.

“[People] here are talking to the nurses talking to the doctors worrying about their family members and for 10, 20, 30 minutes you can kind of forget that and pet a dog and tell me about your dog at home,” said Robert Mercer, a Mercy volunteer.

This helps give families a break from everything going on. Any dogs that apply have to. Applicants can’t be barkers, have to be good on the leash and learn the hospital rules.

Watch the video above to see the dogs hard at work!

Clear the Shelters is a nationwide initiative that waves adoption fees until Aug. 31. All available pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.

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