giving back
VOLUNTEERS WELCOME Helping out at area hospitals does wonders for both givers and recipients WRITTEN BY CINDYSCHWEICHHANDLER
�hen Iretired from my fulltime job last fall , Ihad two goals , one short-term and one long-term : Tovolunteer in my community , and to be agrandmother . Avolunteer program at Hackensack University
Medical Center helped me with both .
The Baby Cuddler Program at HUMC couldn ’ t give me grandchildren , of course ( I have three grown children with none of their own yet ). But it did give me the opportunity to cradle , rock and coo to prematurely-born infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit , since their parents couldn ’ t be there 24 / 7 .
TheWednesday mornings Ispent sunken in a comfy chair , myleft arm supported by apillow with asleeping baby in my arms , felt exquisitely serene and meditative . The goal ofthe program was to nurture the infants with human contact , but Iam sure Igot more out of the experience than Icontributed : asense of connection to the youngest and more vulnerable among us , areminder of what my grandmotherly duties will one day ( hopefully !) be like , and ageneral feeling that I ’ m doing something to help my fellow humans .
The personal satisfaction that comes from contributing time and effort to acause is apersistent theme among volunteers , especially those who help out in medical settings . And hospital staffs are grateful to have them not only because they help patients directly , but because their assistance saves money that can be applied to enhanced services . “ We figured out that if we paid volunteers as if they were full-time employees , itwould cost $ 246,000 ,” says Denise Quackenbush , coordinator of volunteer services at Chilton Medical Center .“ That ’ sgreat savings for asmall community hospital . We can use that money for new projects such as the new catheterization lab .” ( See p . 5 )
Volunteers at medical centers can make patients more comfortable and escort them to different departments , deliver items ranging from flowers to blood vials , provide therapy , clerical work , and much more . These helpers share some of the many ways young and old can contribute .
POWER OF THE DOG
PATBAYARD
HOL�NAME MEDICAL CENTER
Multiple studies have shown that pet ownership provides health benefits — lowering blood pressure and stress levels , and promoting heart health among them . But just interacting with adog for afew moments can enhance the emotional well-being of sick people in the hospital , volunteer coordinators have found . Pat Bayard , apet therapy volunteer at Holy Name Medical Center , has been bringing the joy of petting and cuddling her Shetland Sheepdog , Cody , to hospital patients for five years ; she has been apet therapist since 2003 .
The rules for bringing adog into ahospital setting are particularly stringent , says Bayard . “ It ’ snot like going into aschool or library , oreven anursing home ,” she says .“ It ’ sadifferent protocol because alot of people are sick . I ’ m not allowed to let go of the leash at any time , and he has long hair , soIhave tokeep him clean for the hospital .” Bayard learned alot about puppy obedience from certified trainers . When Cody was nearly 2years old , he was certified by Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs at Kellars Canine Academy inSaddle Brook ( now closed ).
Bayard takes Cody to Holy Name once per week for about an hour , since dogs get tired from too much stimulus and staying on their best behavior . Their first stop is the oncology unit , where , as elsewhere inthe facility , he ’ sabig hit . “ Some patients cry when they hold him ,” she says .“ One time , wewere walking down the hallways , and an elderly woman who was recovering from surgery was being held up on both sides while she learned to walk with awalker . Cody and Istopped and let her approach us . As soon as she saw Cody , her face lit up , and the pain left it . As she came closer , Ilifted Cody up to her level . She was able to pet him , his tail started wagging , and he nestled up to her face .”
Since she can ’ t visit all six floors of the hospital plus the Breast Center inasingle trip , Bayard , who lives inWood-Ridge , rotates her destinations . Sometimes patients are asleep or too ill to receive afurry visitor . Other times , Cody will connect especially well with apatient , and they ’ ll linger .“ Patiscommitted to coming to the hospital with Cody and visiting asmany patients as possible ,” says Sandy Etienne , volunteer services coordinator at Holy Name .“ Cody helps patients forget that they are atthe hospital for amoment .”
The visits help Bayard , too .“ It gives us volunteers such a sense of purpose ,” she says .“ Holy Name feels like abig family working together to benefit patients . Youcan feel it .”
PROVIDED BY HOLY NAME MEDICAL CENTER
16 2024 EDITION ( 201 ) HEALTH