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Therapy dog ​​Trooper brings smiles to hospital patients and staff
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Therapy dog ​​Trooper brings smiles to hospital patients and staff

ROANOKE, Va. – A special visitor is bringing joy to patients and staff alike on the pediatric floor of Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Trooper, a 130-pound Great Dane, is a regular at the hospital, along with his owner, Tony Hernandez. They volunteered together. Roanoke Valley Therapies For the past two years, I have been visiting young patients like six-year-old Peyson Yeary and her mother, Amber.

“Oh, it’s beautiful,” Amber said. “She loves animals, so this definitely made her day. He was looking forward to it.” He added with a smile: “Making him happy makes me happy too.”

The duo also visits local nursing homes, schools, businesses, veterans organizations and wherever Troopers are in demand.

A former New York state trooper, Hernandez was drawn to the job after overcoming serious injuries from three near-fatal car crashes.

“He is a savior. He saved me,” Hernandez said of the Trooper. “I don’t know how I’m still here. In a way, I do this with Trooper.

Police visits are not just morale boosting for patients. Hospital staff also look forward to the Great Dane’s gentle, healing presence.

“Animals have a healing energy,” said Sarah Kress, certified child life specialist at Carilion Clinic. Kress noted the emotional toll of working with young and vulnerable patients but explained how Trooper helps ease the burden. “It is difficult to see children at their most vulnerable. “It’s emotionally taxing work, but it’s nothing compared to what these children and their families are going through,” he said. “Having the gentle energy of these pet friends and Trooper, they know how to bring comfort and peace to a stressful situation. It’s their nature. And that heals us all.”

Trooper is a “gentle giant” who, despite his size, is little aware of how big he is. But no one seems to care if he gets close to young patients or staff and sits on their laps.

When asked why he volunteered, Hernandez’s answer was simple: “To help other people. To give back. Many people have helped me in my life. Now I try to help others. “We are trying to help others.”

As Trooper continues his tours, it becomes clear that he is more than a therapy dog; a source of comfort and joy to everyone he meets.

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