VALLEY VIEW HOSPITAL "SPIRIT OF CARING" AWARD WINNERS

The annual Spirit of Caring Awards are given to Valley View Hospital staff members who embody the Planetree philosophy of humanizing, personalizing and demystifying care. Heeling Partners dogs who have won this award are shown below.

2012 TEAL

Laura VanDyne and Teal at the party honoring winners.

2011   HANNAH
      Hannah is a 13 year old Australian Shepherd. She and Wendy visit the Youth Recovery Center (YRC) at Valley View Hospital where Wendy works. They were nominated for the Spirit of Caring award (and won!) by Wendy’s co-worker, Joni, who wrote the following about this wonderful team.
     Hannah is a retired search and rescue dog and was featured in a short film, K9 to 5 on the TV show, Animal Planet. When Hannah and Wendy visit the YRC, Hannah gives the young people a chance to sooth their souls, relieve stress and bond with this gentle, older, sweet and lovable dog. Wendy takes this opportunity to also teach her clients about search and rescue and wilderness safety.
     The young people lie down on the floor and just pet Hannah, for sometimes as long as the staff will let them. They often want to bring Hannah to their rooms and just hang out, which is not allowed, but tried anyway. They also go for short walks with Hannah in the dry seasons.
     YRC clients stay for 6 weeks and really miss their pets and families. They sometimes even talk to Hannah as though she were a counselor. Hannah is always there for them and doesn’t care who they are, what they look like, where they have come from or what they have done. She gives of herself unconditionally with patience and a tail wag. Clients who have had an especially hard day will just sit with her and calm down.
     Wendy goes above and beyond to make this happen, giving Hannah a bath, which Hannah detests, and brushing her teeth. When visiting with Hannah, Wendy takes the extra time to make sure the clients get the very much needed and priceless experience of Hannah.
     Some of the YRC clients, 14 to 18 years of age, have drawn pictures of and journaled about Hannah. Client “O” wrote the following poem, which says it all:
      Ms. Hannah, you’re getting old but you’re still a puppy
      I got to know you and I feel so lucky
      I call your name and you know where to go
      happy to get some love and you make my world glow
      Your therapy brings me peace just like a dove,
      May you have all the treats in the world for the best puppy love

2010     FINA

Fina and "Mom" Trish pose in the Valley View lobby.

2009 MAXX
     Maxx has been a regular visitor at Valley View Hospital for a little over five years as a Heeling Partner of the Roaring Fork Valley. Despite a rocky beginning before finding his forever home, his spirit has never been damaged.
   This dynamic black and white bundle of energy loves to strut down the halls of Valley View Hospital with his tail wagging. He always looks forward to meeting new friends, bringing smiles to patients and their family members, and he never forgets to give special greetings to the dedicated hospital staff.

Maxx eagerly awaits the big event.

He steps forward to give his acceptance speech . . .

. . . and proudly accepts it with a little help from “Mom” Joanne.

Winners prior to 2009 to be added.