Four Paws and a Big Heart

Almost every week for the past eight years Sadie has been visiting Pediatric patients at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Oakland, bringing smiles and joy to patients of all ages.

Last month was different though, as Sadie made her last round of cuddles, hugs and goodbyes.

The Pet Therapy Program, first launched in the hospital, expanded to the medical offices in March 2013. Since the expansion, Child Life Specialist Gina Mackintosh estimated Sadie has impacted over 500 patients.

“[The Program] is an inroads to get to know patients, and it helps a lot of patients relax,” Mackintosh said. “It usually means that whatever procedure they’re having will go a lot smoother.”

Research shows spending time with a friendly, gentle pet offers several health benefits, like easing pain and improving blood pressure, according to the nonprofit PAWS for People.

“It’s good for staff too, we take a few minutes to pet her,” Mackintosh said. “It enhances the clinic experience and it’s good for mental health.”

Patricia Finnegan, Sadie’s owner, worked at Kaiser Permanente for 28 years, retiring as Director of National Recruitment and Retention Programs, and said it all started when children in her neighborhood would knock on her door and ask if Sadie could come out and play. Sadie started her career by joining local children for reading time at a library in Alameda. Soon after, Finnegan and Sadie started visiting patients at the Oakland Medical Center.

“Dogs bring a lot of peace and comfort. Not just to the patients, but also to the families,” Finnegan said.

In an open letter to her friends, Sadie wrote about her favorite moments and feeling like the luckiest dog in the world. Now retired, she will spend her free time “playing and napping in the sun, and watching all the deer, turkeys and squirrels in my backyard.”

Mr. Finn, another therapy pet, will be visiting the department in Sadie’s place, allowing the program to continue. But as Mackintosh added: Sadie is irreplaceable.

A Kaiser Permanente patient who has been seeing Sadie regularly for the past three years, fondly remembers the first time she met Sadie, who cuddled up to her feet immediately.

“Being in the hospital, you want that warmth and fury friend to ease your pain,” she said. “I will miss seeing her.”