Therapy pooch rewarded for soothing demeanor

Gleason, a therapy dog with a knack for soothing pediatric patients at Rogue Valley Medical Center, is the newest member of the Oregon Animal Hall of Fame.

The 7-year-old Labrador retriever spends Wednesdays and Saturdays offering canine comfort to children dealing with medical challenges ranging from tonsillectomies to terminal cancer.

"He is one special dog," says Sue Furubotten, Gleason’s owner.

Gleason initially was trained as a guide dog for the blind, but recurring allergies made him unsuitable for guide dog duties, says Furubotten.

Furubotten adopted Gleason after he was "career changed." She enrolled herself and the young dog in the Delta Society training program to become "Certified Pet Partners."

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For the past 3½ years, the 93-pound dog has strolled the halls of the hospital, offering the comfort of his sweet nature, soulful gaze and soft fur coat.

Wendy Krumm says the golden lab spent countless hours at her 6-year-old daughter’s bedside in 2003. Alexann fought a brave but losing battle with bone cancer. Through Alexann’s chemotherapy, amputations and multiple other surgeries, Gleason "was the highlight of all her admissions," she says.

"There was an instant bond between those two," says Krumm. "I could go on for days about Gleason and Alexann."

Furubotten says the dog didn’t want to leave Alexann’s bed the day she was dying.

"She’d reach out her hand and pat him," she says. "And he kept sliding up to Alexann — closer and closer."

Later, Gleason "whined and cried for hours" after Furubotten got the call Alexann had died.

Furubotten says people thought she and Gleason would quit when Alexann died. But Gleason, she says, lives to serve — and there is still a need.

Gleason not only helps young patients, he also acts as a de-stressor among the doctors and nurses, she says.

"They all say it calms them down," she says.

Medical studies have shown even brief interaction with pets can reduce stress, decrease pain and lower blood pressure in humans. Aubrey Fine, a psychology professor at Cal Poly-Pomona, is writing a book on canine therapy. Gleason’s experiences with Alexann will be a chapter, says Krumm.

Gleason’s middle-aged joints require a small ramp to access patients’ beds, and Furubotten now offers a steadying hand on his way down. But Gleason wants to keep working, she says.

"He’s not ready to retire," Furubotten says. "When he gets to where he doesn’t want to go, then we won’t go."

Nominated for the Hall of Fame at Oregon State University by Dr. Darla Jochum of the Jacksonville Veterinary Hospital, Gleason was honored at a March 5 luncheon attended by more than 600 veterinarians at Oregon State University.

"I was a mess," says Furubotten. "I could hardly speak about all the great things he’s done."

But Gleason’s fame has not garnered him any respect from local vermin, she says. "He got sprayed by a skunk last week," says Furubotten. "He came in the house and rubbed all over my bed."

Luckily Gleason willingly endures frequent baths, nail clippings and even teeth brushing in order to maintain the level of cleanliness necessary to make him hospital safe.

"He loves to have his teeth brushed," she says. "He knows he’s going to work."

Reach reporter Sanne Spechtat 776-4497 or e-mail sspecht@mailtribune.com.