by Laura Purcell, communications volunteer, American Red Cross of Georgia
(October 7, 2021) - Eric Canady and Heidi are a unique pair of Red Cross volunteers. Eric is the Chief Nurse of the Intensive Care Unit at Martin Army Community Hospital, Ft. Benning, Georgia. Heidi is a 20-month-old Aussiedoodle. Together, they spread joy to the patients, families, and staff at the hospital.
When Eric decided to get a dog, he wanted to find a puppy that could be his personal companion as well as a therapy dog. After considering a few different breeds, he settled on an Aussiedoodle since they are hypoallergenic, don’t shed, and have a friendly and energetic personality.
He searched all over the Southeast for the perfect puppy and finally found Heidi in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Heidi and Eric trained together for a year before taking the Pet Partners Therapy Animal evaluation to become a certified therapy dog team. They didn’t pass their first evaluation but kept training and eventually passed. After that, they went through an additional evaluation with the Fort Benning Veterinarian Office to be approved as Red Cross volunteers. They have been volunteering together at Martin Army since February.
Heidi and Eric work with the local Red Cross Coordinator for Martin Army Community Hospital to schedule visits with patients every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. With some patients, Heidi is playful and energetic, bringing them toys and asking them to throw her ball. With others, she seems to know that they aren’t feeling well, and she will crawl into their lap for a cuddle. “When we walk into a room, people are at their most vulnerable,” Eric said. “Heidi comes in and reminds them what life is about.”
Eric recently added a second volunteer and therapy dog to his team and hopes to continue to grow the therapy dog program by training more volunteers and expanding to different departments and hospitals. “I wish everyone could feel the joy that I do when people cry because Heidi came and made their day,” he said.
Eric’s biggest advice to anyone who wants to get their dog certified is to just go for it and never give up. “You’re a team,” Eric said.
“You’re not perfect, the dog isn’t perfect, but you’re a team.”
If you’d like to get involved with the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application.