A non-profit society and healthcare workers are grieving for a “dogtor” who recently passed away.
Burke, or “Dogtor Burke,” passed away at the age of six on June 24 after being diagnosed with lymphoma for seven weeks.
The friendly-faced Bernese mountain dog was the first dog that started working at the non-profit Hero Dawgs Pet Therapy Society.
He would wear scrubs and a stethoscope and visit hospitals to provide pet therapy to healthcare workers who were suffering from stress and exhaustion while working in the COVID-19 unit during the pandemic.
He has also donated blood to save the lives of 10 other dogs.
“Hero Dawgs is now Burke’s legacy, a growing movement that is onboarding and training more dogs and their owners to take on the increasing demand for hospital visits to improve the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers,” said Carey McBeth, founder and executive director of Hero Dawgs and an Indigenous business owner.
McBeth was also Burke’s owner.
“Burke’s life was short, but he was the very inspiration and pillar of Hero Dawgs. He never failed to provide endless energy and love on his many visits,” she said.
The Hero Dawgs program started at Vancouver General Hospital’s critical ward but has a goal to expand to as many hospitals as possible, according to McBeth.
The nonprofit is recruiting more owners and canines to help provide pet therapy to healthcare workers in hospitals.
Hero Dawgs are specialty-trained to handle critical care environments and any interested dog owners are invited to reach out.
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