Meet Drago, a K9 that Visits Hospital Patients

Hi John,

I can imagine that the residents love Dixie and she is so cute as well. People who are angry and unfriendly will let a dog snuggle up and lick their face and it brings them out of their funk many times. I have read where it helps patients to recover. Dogs, cats and birds are great visitors for nursing homes and hospitals.

Hi Sharon,

I have known Chuck since 1978. He himself is a wonderful man and everyone loves him. After he retired, his wife passed away and he started taking his other dog, a golden retriever to the hospitals and he passed away and Drago came into the picture. The hospitals used to be strict with the dog coming in where the children were very ill, but I think they have lightened up on that now and Drago puts booties on. It is a wonderful program that Chuck does and brings a lot of happiness to those who need it.

Hi Patty,

Yes, it is a wonderful program and the hospitals are aware of the benefits of allowing the pets to come in and cheer up the patients. Hope your day is going well.

Hi Myrl,

I agree. I used to take my puppies to visit my mom after the stroke and she liked them to sit with her and give kisses to her too.

When my mother was pretty sick and had to go to the hospital for the last time, I had rushed over with Tootie, my little 5 lb chihuahua who loved to sit on my mom and lick her hands and face. Whenthe paramedics got there, she stood up and started barking like "No stay away from my Nana" and she was only 3 months old but so brave and loved my mom. I had to take Tootie out of the room so they could check her and put her on the gurney. Tootie loved to visit my mom and I know she misses her as she goes into the room where all my moms furniture and stuff is so it probably smells like her.

Hi Mona,

The day I saw Drago and took the pictures it was about noon or 1:00 p.m. so I am thinking back and think he seemed pretty tired. I am sure all that touching and hugging wears him out.

I bet your little Foxy and Tribble are cute.

Hi Virginia,

Loma Linda used to not allow the dog because of the risk of germs but now they are just careful. Some kids cannot touch him and he wears booties. Loma Linda is 2 hospitals in one; a big teaching hospital on one side and the Children's Hospital on the other side. It is also a trauma center. It took a while before they allowed the dog in the children's wards.

I think Drago likes everyone; no favorites.

Hi Roy,

It is a good pet story and Drago brings happiness and love to others wherever he goes and his owner Chuck does too. Chuck is such a good man. Thanks for stopping and have a great weekend too.

Hi Sheila,

I guess doing good work is sometimes draining. The next time I see them at Costco, I am going to get a picture of Chuck and Drago together. Have a Fabulous Friday.

Hi Irene,

Yes Irene I do agree with you as we pretty much protect our domesticated animals from the harshness of the world.

 I have one dog that I removed from a REO property. She weighed 3.5 lbs and I thought she was a little puppy. But when I took her to the vet's office, he told me that based on her teeth, she was over 4 months. I had then had her for over 2 weeks and she looked and smelled much better than when I had first gotten her and I had started trying to fatten her up with IAMS food and goat milk. The vet told me she was dying when I found her as she was starving to death. She has such a nice personality and bless her heart, she never knew how mean they were treating her but thank goodness no one physically abused her. She is a wonderful pet and we love her so much. It amazes me how anyone can be mean to a dog. If you don't like a pet or have time for them, give the pet away. This dog of mine now weighs 14 lbs and is just perfect.

I have thought about working for one of those programs or volunteering at the Humane Society but I would want to bring them all home. It would be hard to bring a dog into my home for a year and then give it away to a stranger. They are like my kids.

Hi Elyse,

I agree with you totally that dogs and cats bring so much joy to people and in this case patients in the hospital. Drago and Chuck and quite the pair to perk up peoples attitude and bring some joy to the boring hospital room.