From the time Darcy was a puppy, her owner, Jennifer Haga, noticed she had a warm personality that would cheer anyone up. “Darcy is such a love bug and goofball that she brings a smile to everybody's face,” Jennifer says. Soon, the two became a team, setting out to bring comfort and connection to those who need it most. They are one of nearly 100 Hand in Paw therapy teams in Birmingham.
Hand in Paw is a nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of the human-animal bond to enhance the lives of people facing physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges. They train pets and their handlers to become animal therapy teams, who then visit various facilities such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. These teams provide comfort, reduce stress, and promote healing for those in need.
Jennifer and Darcy started making regular visits to The Birmingham VA Medical Center a little over a year ago. “My son is an Army veteran, and so [the military is] near and dear to my heart,” Jennifer explains. “I hoped we would be able to give back to soldiers and the veterans that have served our country.”
The impact of their visits is felt deeply throughout the VA, particularly in Safe Harbor, a unit for those who are critically or terminally ill. Interim Nurse Manager Sara O’Neal has seen Hand in Paw therapy teams bring comfort to patients on some of their most difficult days.
One moment with a particular patient stays close to Sara’s heart. “We had a patient none of us could reach. He was a tough nut to crack—surly, grumpy and dismissive. One day, I hesitantly knocked on his door and asked, ‘Would you like a visit from our therapy dog?’ To Sara’s surprise, he sat up straight and said, “Well, yes, I would.”
What happened next was pure magic. “He was petting Darcy and loving on her, and he opened up for the first time. He spoke more during that visit than he ever had in his time with us—and it was the first time I had ever seen him smile.” A few minutes with Darcy broke down this patient’s walls and opened the door for lasting, meaningful connection.
It’s these moments that make Hand in Paw’s visits impactful, not just for the patients but for everyone involved. “It gets stressful up here sometimes,” adds nurse Mackenzie Sloan. “But whenever Darcy and Jennifer walk through those doors, we get a break from the constant chaos. We just get to take a moment to breathe and pet Darcy.” The visits bring happiness and leave everyone feeling more positive for the rest of the day.
Mackenzie will always remember watching Darcy bring comfort to the family of a veteran who was nearing the end of his life, even joining them in the family room. “They thanked us throughout their whole time here for having that option available to them.”
Jennifer says Darcy has a special way of sensing what someone needs when she walks into their hospital room—even if that need is entertainment. “We had one of the funniest visits with Darcy when she decided to somehow lay upside down on the chair to get a belly rub,” Jennifer recounts. “The veteran we were visiting had the best time.”
Ann Collins, attending physician in Safe Harbor, is just as excited as the patients are when Darcy walks through the doors. “When Darcy comes in, everyone knows I go straight to her to get in a couple of pets and a belly rub. They often have to pull me away and remind me that she’s also here to see the veterans,” she says with a laugh. "I know that when I see Darcy and Jennifer come in here that my day is going to be much brighter, but I also know how vital they are for the role of our veterans and their healthcare."
Ann explains that in the Safe Harbor unit, where pain relief is paramount, their team provides far more than medical treatment. “We don’t care for just the physical person. We care for them in an emotional sense. We care for them in a spiritual sense,” she says. “The Hand in Paw therapy teams allow us to access veterans in ways that medications can’t. They allow us to develop bonds and relationships and create healing—ultimate healing."
"it was the first time I had ever seen him smile"
"They allow us to develop bonds and relationships and create healing—ultimate healing."