Posted on November 6, 2024
Mary Free Bed Celebrates Paw-sitive Retirement for Furry Staff Member after 8 Years of Service
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is bidding a fond farewell to a beloved member of its team – Vandy, the hospital’s first animal-assisted intervention (AAI) therapy dog. Vandy, a furry beacon of hope and joy, has been dedicated to restoring hope and freedom for patients since joining Mary Free Bed in 2016.
Vandy, the first-ever AAI graduate of PAWS With A Cause®, has wagged her way into countless hearts and played a crucial role in the rehabilitation and recovery of many throughout her seven years of service. With over 1,200 therapy visits under her collar, Vandy has made a paw-sitive impact on patients and staff alike.
Animal-assisted intervention engages patients of all ages and abilities in a range of therapeutic settings. Vandy would encourage patients to walk a little farther and sit up independently. Patients in speech therapy give verbal commands, while others improve strength by brushing Vandy or throwing a ball.
“Life-changing work takes place in a hospital, and PAWS facility dogs like Vandy are specially trained to support people during their rehabilitation,” said Michele Suchovsky, PAWS With A Cause® (PAWS) CEO and Member of the Mary Free Bed Guild.
“As a PAWS AAI facility dog, Vandy offers both an innovative, engaging element to a patient’s physical therapy sessions and emotional support throughout the recovery process. We are so proud of Vandy for being the first of many PAWS Facility Dogs at Mary Free Bed and for the incredible work she’s done with hundreds of patients during her time there. This retirement is well-deserved!”
Being an AAI dog is hard work and takes a lot of time and training. Before joining the Mary Free Bed team, Vandy trained at PAWS for two years – that’s 14 dog years! It wasn’t just Vandy who needed training; sessions are directed by a recreational therapist, who receives intensive training to learn how to work with the dogs and best help their patients.
“Vandy’s role over the past seven years as the first AAI dog at Mary Free Bed has not only helped pave the way for a successful program but has provided support in patients meeting their therapy goals,” said Maria Besta, CTRS, manager of recreational therapy, wheelchair and adaptive sports at Mary Free Bed.
“The bond between therapy animals and patients is truly special, and Vandy’s contributions will surely be remembered fondly. It’s always hard to say goodbye to such a beloved member of the team, but her legacy will continue to inspire the program and the many lives she has touched.”
With Vandy’s retirement, Mary Free Bed patients aren’t left without the benefits of animal-assisted intervention therapy. In 2022, a golden retriever named Faith joined the hospital after training at PAWS With A Cause® and has been brightening patient’s and staff’s days since.
To celebrate her time at Mary Free Bed, staff are hosting a retirement tea to honor her and wish her a restful, treat-filled future. Before the event, Vandy will tour the Inpatient Unit of the hospital to say goodbye.
Throughout her years, Vandy has been supported by the Mary Free Bed Foundation, including generous individual donors and corporate partners such as Pet Supplies Plus, which provided store gift cards for Vandy’s essentials like food and toys and is also sponsoring her retirement tea.
Watch a livestream from the event to learn more:
About Mary Free Bed: Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is a not-for-profit, internationally accredited, and nationally recognized leader in rehabilitation. What started with a single hospital bed in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1891 has grown to a rehabilitation system with more than 2,300 staff at over 60 locations in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Virginia. Last year, Mary Free Bed restored hope and freedom through rehabilitation for 100,000 children and adults. With more than 120 specialized medical and sports rehabilitation programs and an exclusive focus on rehabilitation, our specialized teams help patients achieve extraordinary clinical results. U.S. News & World Report rates Mary Free Bed as the ninth Best Rehabilitation Hospital in the nation for 2024-25. For more information, visit www.maryfreebed.com.
About PAWS With A Cause®: Since 1979, PAWS With A Cause® (PAWS) has placed more than 3,300 custom-trained assistance dogs to enhance the independence and quality of life for people with disabilities nationally. Accredited by Assistance Dogs International and a recipient of Charity Navigator’s highest 4-star rating, PAWS increases awareness of the rights and roles of assistance dog teams through education and advocacy. For more information, visit: pawswithacause.org
