Heart Valve Surgery Patient & Author, Adam Pick
Blogs About Heart Valve Replacement & Repair Surgery
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Certified Dog Therapist, Dyno, Visits Erik In Hospital

Posted on March 23rd, 2009 under Patient Stories & Updates.

I could not resist posting this very, very, very interesting note from Erik. I never knew that certified dog therapists existed!

Adam,

I just created a surgeon profile for Dr. Vib Kshettry, Minneapolis Heart Institute, in your surgeon database. I would also give kudos to my cardiologist, Dr. Kevin Graham at the Minneapolis Heart Institute. They have a heck-of-a-team and clinic there. I just don’t have enough positive adjectives to describe these two physicians.

As a “young” patient at the age of 37, open heart surgery was very scary. It gave me peace-of-mind to know I had the best-of-the-best. It was a year ago and I feel great.

Dyno, Dog Therapist Visits Heart Surgery Patient and Owner, Erik

Erik, With Dyno, The Dog Therapist, After Heart Surgery

Just for fun……I attached a photo of my first day out of ICU. Our dog, Dyno, is a certified animal “therapist” and my wife takes her to several hospitals and visits. This visit was personal. She actually stayed a couple hours and just slept with me.

Hope all is well with you.

Erik

About Adam Pick – Patient Advocate

A dad, a husband and a patient, Adam founded this website in 2006 to educate you about heart valve surgery from diagnosis to recovery. More...

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Cindy says on March 23rd, 2009 at 6:38 pm

This is WONDERFUL!! I train guide dog puppies from a preciousl 8 wks. old up until they are about 18mos. I had to transfer my last pup at 6 mos.old (and 60 lbs.) in order to have my valve surgery & recover. Cardiac rehab is GREAT as I work with weights to gain back my upper body strength. I want to get back to raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind ASAP!!! We sometimes join with therapy dogs as well for visits to senior centers, assisted living homes & hospitals. The puppies learn lessons in good behavior & the people are uplifted & look forward to our visits. IN CASE anyone is interested … http://www.guidedogs.com … always looking for volunteers!! I’m only 7 wks out from surgery … so my next pup won’t be until Aug. or Sept. It will be hard to wait!!!