Harry, the therapy dog at Canberra Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), comforts patients at their most challenging times. His calm presence has quickly transformed him into an invaluable resource for emotional healing. With his warm and attentive nature, Harry helps to alleviate pain and anxiety, creating a comforting environment for those undergoing intensive medical treatment.
This 11-year-old pup, who used to be an Australian champion show dog, made the switch into a therapy role in 2018. Since then, he’s focused on serving and uplifting his community. He continues to bring joy and comfort to hundreds of people in need. Harry is one of the therapy dogs on Delta Therapy Dogs’ Paws for Tales program. Combined, they send therapy teams to hospitals, workplaces, universities, schools and hundreds of other facilities.
Harry’s owner, Megan Kelly, tells us that he’s just naturally motivated to do good. Because when he gets off shift, he sometimes just passes out in the car. It’s a testament to the incredible emotional energy he pours into every note that when he doesn’t, as here, it just sounds wrong.
The Role of Therapy Dogs in Healing
On his one-hour rotations with patients, Harry is either sitting in a room with them coloring or taking them outside to play. This relationship has been particularly beneficial for patients who are getting ready for or recovering from invasive interventions. His visits often make a huge impact on alleviating anxiety, giving patients and families a much-needed break from an intensely stressful environment.
Patients and their families have given “incredible” commentary on how Harry has improved their time in the hospital. Kathleen Cook, a patient who has benefited from Harry’s visits, remarked on the dog’s exemplary behavior:
“Oh my goodness — this is the most well-behaved dog I have ever seen in my life.” – Kathleen Cook
Additionally, Cook said that Harry’s presence was able to draw out some of the most emotional reactions from patients.
“I’ve received cards from people… stand-out messages were that ‘it gave me a lot of joy, it made me feel human.’” – Kathleen Cook
Harry’s gift as a healer is about more than just being a fun friend. He invites them into a world of ideas and images, engaging them in the exploration of emotional life. Jess Kim, another team member involved in the therapy program, mentioned how patients often discuss their home life and express their longing for loved ones.
“People open up about their home life, their pets and who they’re missing back at home and how they want to get better.” – Jess Kim
The Impact on Patients and Staff
Harry’s success has led to the creation of a therapy dog program at St George Hospital in Sydney. The encouraging feedback we’ve received from patients has reaffirmed the need to integrate emotional support services into medical environments.
Megan Kelly underscores the energy exerted by therapy dogs like Harry to deliver such kindness and comfort.
“It’s actually quite draining for dogs to give this much love and care for one hour, so that’s why we recommend that it’s only ever one hour.” – Megan Kelly
The hospital recently experienced an increased demand for therapy dog services. Consequently, Harry’s quickly getting a lot of departments wanting to bring him. However, as Kathleen Cook now with the Ben Towne Foundation stressed, Harry never stops being an ICU dog.
“We have so many direct messages with requests for services in other parts of the hospital, but Harry is solely an ICU dog.” – Kathleen Cook
A Growing Community of Support
Harry’s impact extends beyond individual patient interactions. As a result, his more than 13,000 followers on social media have learned how therapy dogs can positively impact healthcare facilities. Through photos and stories shared online, Harry connects with a broader community, illustrating the profound effects of emotional support animals on mental health.
Harry is currently serving on the ICU special COVID-19 deployment at Canberra Hospital. His warm demeanor and disciplined focus instill hope and comfort to both patients and employees. We know that healthcare is sometimes a cold and clinical experience. Therapy dogs like Harry are crucial in providing warmth and connection to those who need it most.
