Andy Overbay, a farmer and senior agriculture extension agent based in Chilhowie, Virginia, combined his love for dogs with his Christian faith to help and serve the people in his community. Through his friendship ministry called Paws for Christ and together with his therapy dog Bear, an English springer spaniel, Andy would regularly visit Smyth County Community Hospital to comfort hospital staff.
But when the pandemic happened, Andy and Bear’s regular visits were limited to weekly visits to staff only. Nevertheless, Andy and the adorable and sociable therapy dog never thought of their job any less. They made the best out of every week they got to provide the comfort that the staff members needed especially during the height of COVID-19 cases.
In fact, whenever hospital security officer Brandon Hamm would see Bear arriving, he just knows that the pair would automatically put smiles on the staff members’ faces. And true to that, weary staff would go out of their busy day to pause what they were doing to greet Bear. They would kiss and hug the Bear and with his large floppy ears and expressive eyes, it was hard not to smile and just feel good.
According to Judy Colley, executive assistant at the hospital, Andy was definitely devoted to helping the frontline workers by regularly bringing Bear to the hospital. Not only that but the pair would also dress for occasions like Halloween or Christmas to give that extra boost of happiness to the staff.
Cindy Becker, a registered nurse working at the hospital, expressed how much she enjoys seeing Bear while she works. And even it was just a short amount of time, Bear’s presence definitely helped lift her mood and everyone else’s for that matter. Truly, Bear’s visits are always a nice break in the day for everyone at the hospital.
Source: SWVA Today
