Lauren Brown, certified therapeutic recreational specialist at Pinecrest Rehabilitation Center at Delray Medical Center, Pete and Watson standard-size poodle show dogs, and Page Athan, therapy dog handler, stop briefly while visiting Pinecrest.

Page Athan’s two standard-size poodle dogs are hypoallergenic, empathetic and enjoy attention, a combination making them perfect candidates for therapy dogs at Pinecrest Rehabilitation Center at Delray Medical Center.
Athan, a Wellington resident, was looking for a place to bring Watson, who is about 21 in dog years, and Pete, who is 70 in dog years, where the two could volunteer to help physical rehabilitation patients either hurt or in pain. Watson is also an obedience show dog, and both dogs carry certifications from Therapy Dogs Inc. and have experience at facilities similar to Pinecrest. Medical records of the dogs are kept on site.

“Pete and Watson have visited very ill people in their beds at Hospice. They’ve worked at a huge rehab nursing home in Hollywood. They’re a perfect fit at Pinecrest because this is natural and normal for them,” Athan said.

But, Hollywood is far from Athan’s Wellington residence. She was determined to find a suitable fit and that to turned out to be Pinecrest Rehabilitation Center at 5360 Linton Blvd. Athan offered one day of volunteer dog therapy to Lauren Brown, certified therapeutic recreational specialist, who gladly accepted.

“The dogs are the ones who do the work of cheering people up,” Brown said.

For more information call Page Athan at 561-722-7081 or e-mail Lauren.brown@tenethealth.com