You see, Echo saved Grant’s life when he fell into a diabetic coma and when Grant was admitted to Blacktown hospital, the pair were lost without each other.
And we all know the healing power of an animal, a power that should never be underestimated.
The heartwarming story begins in late December when Grant was diagnosed with COVID-19 and other underlying health issues at the hospital.
Echo is 16yo and is an animal-assisted therapy dog. He has been by Grant’s side since he was a pup.
The bond between the two of them is so strong that Echo doesn’t leave Grant’s side. When Grant fell into a diabetic coma, Echo alerted the family to his sudden deterioration in health.
So it’s no surprise that when Grant was admitted to Blacktown hospital, both Echo and his beloved owner were lost without each other.
Echo stopped eating and drinking, wouldn’t let anyone in Grant’s room and waited continually by the front door for his owner to return home. Grant also missed his best mate and required Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission on two occasions.
Once Grant’s condition improved and he was moved out of ICU, staff at Blacktown Hospital went above and beyond to reunite him with his beloved Echo.
“When Grant was moved to a ward, he received such a wonderful surprise when Echo jumped onto his hospital bed,”
Nimeshkumar Patel, gastroenterology nurse unit manager for Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals said.
“Therapy dogs can really improve patient outcomes. I’ve seen it several times. It’s nice that we’ve been able to facilitate Echo to come in for regular visits. It really makes Grant’s day.”
As a registered therapy dog, Echo received a special exemption to visit. He was washed before each visit and sat on a towel on Grant’s bed.
Animal-assisted therapy dogs communicate through body language, helping their owners with various functions including communicating with other people.
Both Grant and Echo are now doing well – Grant was still in hospital recovering and Echo was eating and drinking normally again, at the time of publishing.
Source: Western Sydney Health media.
