Pet Therapy helps sick at DGMC

Published Oct. 4, 2012
By Heide Couch
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Charles Constantine has had many job titles in life.

His Air Force career spanned more than 20 years, 16 of those being a security forces K-9 handler, the last 11 as a first sergeant. Now retired, he currently is a community service officer for the California State University Maritime Academy.

On Friday mornings at David Grant USAF Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., he takes on yet another role as pet therapist, with his partner of 12 years, Crusader, an English setter.

As Constantine and Crusader wind through the corridors of the hospital, they are met with smiles on every face and endless questions: "Is that a Dalmatian?" "Can I pet him?" "Is he friendly?" and more from staff, patients and family members who happen to be visiting DGMC.

Constantine answers all those questions cheerfully because he sees it as an opportunity to make a personal connection and maybe bring some small joy into a situation that can be stressful.

He gives his full attention to an elderly woman who reaches out to stroke Crusader's soft fur, tells him of her own beloved pet and shares memories of her experiences as a dog trainer.

Continuing their rounds, Crusader pauses to sniff a small boy who seems unsure at first and then tentatively pats the big dog on the head, smiling shyly. His mother, who is holding another small child, grins and correctly guesses the dog's breed. The conversation flows. He and the dog are stopped countless times by staffers who greet them as welcomed guests.

Crusader and Constantine are invited to visit almost every clinic and ward at DGMC. Constantine's favorite places to take Crusader are the internal medicine, radiology, mental health and outpatient clinics. There, he feels they can make the biggest impact.

Crusader is a seasoned veteran at pet therapy and also is a cancer survivor. On a visit to see the veterinarian, a small lump was found under his chin, resulting in the partial loss of his jaw. Because of his injury, Crusader had to learn how to eat all over again. The trauma seems to have had no effect on his ability or the attitude. Crusader's other talents also include pheasant hunting and he is an American Kennel Club Champion.

"Oh, he's a pill and is mighty high maintenance," Constantine said with obvious affection.

Shortly before retiring as a senior master sergeant, Constantine was approached by a doctor of psychiatry to see if he would consider becoming a pet therapist. Paws for Healing Inc. is a volunteer program funded by the Fisher House Foundation. The pet therapist teams go through extensive training and evaluation before being certified and are recertified annually.

Constantine has been stationed at Osan AB, Korea; Misawa AB, Japan; Vance Air Force Base, Okla.; and Travis. He said he thinks the men and women who serve in today's military face challenges like never before and deserve the best health care possible for what they do. Pet therapy can bring a little smile to take the edge off some of the anxiety. Simply put, it works.

For more information about Paws For Healing, visit www.pawsforhealing.org.