Hospital visit good therapy, fun times for all

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nicholasa Reed
  • Air Armament Center Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) --  Dressed in their finest Hawaiian garb, Renee Gault and Poncho proudly walk into the pediatric clinic at Eglin Hospital carrying leis, birthday hats, toys and crayons.

Immediately, every eye in the room focuses on Poncho, not because of the green and red leis around his neck or the toys he has with him, but because he is a 2-pound, 4-year-old Chihuahua.

Although Poncho is regularly seen in the clinic, it is not because he is ill or needs a checkup. Poncho visits the clinic for the children, specifically because he is a part of the hospital's pet therapy program. During a recent visit, the children and staff are celebrating Poncho's fourth birthday.

"Come get a birthday hat and leis," Mrs. Gault, Poncho's owner, said to a timid youth.

Coaxing even the shyest children into enjoying their visit to the hospital, Mrs. Gault and Poncho are on a mission that began in 2001.

"My daughter, Kelley, got Poncho for her father on Father's Day 2000. A month later, (my husband) died of lung cancer," Mrs. Gault said. "About January, I started going stir-crazy. So I picked Poncho up, got his shot record and went to (visit the residents of a nearby nursing home).”

In June 2003, Poncho graduated from Eglin Hospital's pet therapy class. He was assigned to the pediatric clinic.

"(Poncho and Mrs. Gault) provide education mixed with amusement," said Maj. Karen Jones, pediatric clinic nurse. "The kids are sick and miserable or anxious about the visit and that little dog just brightens up their day."

As Mrs. Gault changed Poncho into his Army outfit, she said her 81-year-old mother makes all of his outfits.

"He has nine different outfits,” she said. “My mother is making him a sheriff’s outfit now, complete with an authentic patch from the local department.

"My husband was a three-tour Vietnam Army helicopter pilot, whose wings Poncho now proudly displays on his Army outfit," she said.

"This is the first time I've ever seen him," said Chrissy Voce, a military family member. "I think it's great, a really good (distraction) for my kids."

"They definitely bring a friendly feeling into the clinic," Major Jones said. "They offer supportive care to not only the patients and the staff, but a little relief for the parents from the screaming or anxious children."