ORANGE : These Canines Are Trained to Heal

When patients at Children’s Hospital of Orange County want to get the attention of their favorite recreational therapist, all they have to do is meow.

Becks, the German shepherd who heads up the hospital’s “Caring K-9s” squad, can barely resist the idea of a cat chase, said owner Marie Weller, who is also a nurse.

The dog is one of three who regularly volunteer to come in and cheer up patients and parents. The hospital began the pilot program a year ago to create a “healing environment,” said spokesman Andrea Pronk.

Becks was happy to comply by offering her belly for a rub and even sneaking a surreptitious kiss (it’s against the rules) to friendly kids during Children and Hospitals Week earlier this week.

None of the children appeared to mind a bit.

Becks and her colleagues go through rigorous training and hygienic routines that include baths and teeth cleaning just before visits. Once in the program, they submit to regular testing.

Becks, a 2-year-old purebred who takes commands in German and English, began obedience training at 8 weeks old, Weller said. As intelligent as she is, Becks’ even-tempered personality is what won her the post, she added. The dog lies down to appear less threatening and allows toddlers to pull at her ears and thump her back without complaint.

“It’s pretty cool when you have pet therapy,” said Juan Carlos Padilla, an 11-year-old Anaheim resident who frequently comes to CHOC for cystic fibrosis treatment. “Becks is the best one. He’s soft and cuddly. I like going to sleep with him.”

Sometime the dogs are called to the bedsides of dying children to lighten the mood for families and patients, alike. Trainers say dogs are in touch with the seriousness of these situation.

“Dogs naturally are attuned to strengths and weaknesses,” said Connie Jankowski, an animal behaviorist. “The dog understands that this person must be treated gently.”