Odin

Odin was an Irish Wolfhound. Odin and I began our volunteer pet therapy work at Banner Medical Center in January 2022. Odin had his own volunteer badge with his picture and I had mine. He was a show stopper from the get go. My job was to get us to Banner so he could go to work! He did the rest.

It was not all unusual for us to be stopped numerous times as we made our way to the elevators to begin visiting. We would be frequently stopped and asked, “Are you a pet therapy team? Could you visit my family member in room number __.” We were honored to be asked, and we were most always able to do so.

Odin brought smiles and joy to patients, family members, staff, and visitors alike. Aways a happy boy with the biggest smile, and a huge tail wag for anyone who wanted to pet and spend some time with him.

Our visits ran the gamut of just spending time in the hallway with people wanting to know “what kind of dog is he and can I pet him?”, to providing fond memories of meeting an Irish Wolfhound to patients on their day of discharge, to visiting with patients post-surgery and recuperating, to visiting with and offering comfort to family members awaiting the passing of loved one.

There are so many touching moments, comments, and memories for me from patients, family members, and staff who interacted with him. But one that is the most poignant is a Valentine Card that a young patient at Diamond Children’s Hospital designed, created, and gave to him. We had visited with this patient numerous times over the course of many weeks,

She wrote:

“Dear Odin, thank you for always being here to cheer people up. Happy Valentines Day.”

I have the card affixed to my bulletin board. It so aptly sums up his contribution to so many.

Odin was an amazing ambassador for his breed as well as the benefits of pet therapy.

He was a sweet, sweet gentle giant, and my best friend and companion.

He is terribly missed.