Special Report

Hospice patient finds comfort in four-legged friend

Posted: Dec 22, 2011 5:23 PM by Angela Douglas - Q2 News
Updated: Dec 22, 2011 5:35 PM

BILLINGS - For the past several months, Rocky Mountain Hospice has been offering a new kind of service to their patients.

Through the new pet companionship program, patients receive a one hour visit every week from Ginnie the dog and her owner Tanya Vaught.

"It's wonderful!" exclaimed RMH patient, Millie Hackney. "I get pretty lonely. I had a dog for 13 years, but I had to have her put her down. So, I'm grateful for these people because I do love animals and it's nice to have them come. I pet them and talk to them."

Millie is one of two RMH patients that Vaught and Ginnie have been visiting since September.

"Being dog lover myself, I have an idea of what it would feel like if you love dogs, but you can't have any," Vaught explained. "I just like to share her with Millie so she can remember some of those good times when she had her dogs."

From her gentle character to her perky ears, Millie enjoys everything about her four-legged friend.

"She's just a dog that I like!" said Millie. "I don't know any that I don't like."

And it seems, that feeling is mutual.

"Ginnie really enjoys it," Vaught insisted. "She was standing out in the hallway crying because she wanted to come see Millie."

There is one thing Millie wishes she could do with Ginnie, but she has come to terms with reality.

"I would love to hold her! But, she kind of outweighs me a little," the elderly woman says with a chuckle.

And it's with that light-hearted, endearing outlook, that has formed the special bond between Millie and Ginnie.

"You know, they're our best friends," Millie said matter-of-factly. "At least that's how I feel."