Therapy dog returns to Richmond Hill hospital ‘in-pawson’ to bring ‘healing power’ to patients after 2 years

Owner shared a cute video of Lupetto working on Zoom

Yorkregion.com
May 27, 2022
Sheila Wang

It might not be the best time to bring home a pet dog but it was one of easiest decisions Maria-Teresa Fontana and her late husband made five years ago.

The now-retired public school teacher from Vaughan adopted Lupetto, a doll-faced and big-eyed bichon frise, when Fontana took leave from work to take care of her husband at home who was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

“Things were really sad around here,” Fontana said, sitting in her dining room while holding the five-year-old dog snugly in her arms.

When the cotton-ball cloud of white hair waddled into their lives, little did Fontana know how big of a difference he would make to the family during the tough times. Lupetto not only brought joy to the couple but also exhibited exceptional sensitivity to Fontana's husband's emotions and needs.

This is why when her husband asked Fontana to “do something for the hospital” to give back to Mackenzie Health where he received treatment, she said it was a “no-brainer” to join the therapy pet program.

Partnered with St. John Ambulance -- a Canadian first aid charity -- Mackenzie Health introduced its therapy dog program in 2011 to bring their “healing power” into the hospital. Hundreds of patients have participated in and benefited from the program, Mackenzie Health spokesperson Christina Cindric said.

Lupetto successfully passed an evaluation process at St. John Ambulance and became a volunteer therapy dog in 2018 who visits those who are sick, lonely, reside in long-term care and mental health facilities on a weekly basis in York Region.

He is now one of two therapy dogs at Mackenzie Health who regularly visit mental health, stroke, complex care and palliative care patients to brighten their days and reduce stress and anxiety.

After providing dog therapy via Zoom calls during the pandemic, Lupetto got to go back to volunteer with Fontana at the Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital “in-pawson” -- under controlled conditions -- this spring for the first time in two years.

“Lupetto!”

A shout of joy from a patient instantly greeted the duo as they arrived at the hospital, followed by happy gasps and smiley faces from many more during their one-hour visit.

“I wish I could record those moments because that moment is what makes my heart burst,” Fontana said.

Whether he walks around on the hospital floors to greet people, rides in his “puppy mobile” -- a black stroller -- to receive scratches all over his body, or just lie in the hospital bed with the patients, Lupetto always has a way to brighten up people’s day with his affection and gentleness, Fontana said.

“I think people want to smile again. I think people need hugs. And I think people need to just have simple pleasure in their life. And that's what the dog offers: unconditional love and simple pleasure,” Fontana said.

St. John Ambulance runs a volunteer therapy dog program and assesses dogs to determine if a dog is ready for and happy to be a therapy dog. The growing program now has more than 3,500 volunteer dog teams who visit hospitals, schools and universities across Canada.

Lupetto and Fontana now pay one visit to the Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and one at the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital every week.

The little white dog recently took on a new role to provide therapy dog services to sexual assault victims in court as part of the victim/witness assistance program in York Region.

“Sometimes discussions can be distressful and then they have to halt the court,” Fontana said while wrapping her arms around Lupetto. “So sometimes a hug like this saves 20-minute recess.”