Sarah, a 12-year-old beagle and certified therapy dog, will be wagging her tail and offering comfort at the clinic from 4 to 6 p.m. at the WCHD, 723 First Ave. S.

Sarah will be accompanied by her human, retired nurse Linda Whaley. Sarah and Whaley have been internationally certified as a therapy dog and handler since July 2018. The following month, the pair began visiting patients at UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center.

“As a nurse, I knew I wanted to do pet therapy when I retired,” Whaley said. “I never imagined it would be as rewarding as it has been, for me, patients and staff.”

Sarah will be a much-appreciated assistant for the pediatric vaccine clinic because she’s gentle, calm and friendly.

-Messenger file photo by Kelby Wingert
Sarah the beagle takes a rest in the courtyard at UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center in 2019. Sarah will be on hand to comfort kids during a pediatric COVID-19 vaccine clinic today at the Webster County Health Department.

“Her lovable temperament makes her an ideal therapy dog and she truly loves helping people feel better,” Whaley said.

Whaley rescued and adopted Sarah approximately nine years ago, when the beagle was 3 years old.

Since Whaley and Sarah started visiting patients at TRMC, a physician at the hospital told Whaley, “You’re doing something medications we prescribe can’t do” for their patients.

Therapy pets can significantly reduce anxiety in children and adults, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“We are excited to have Linda and Sarah on-site with us for this clinic,” said Kari Prescott, WCHD director. “Medical appointments and shots can be scary for children, especially those who have experienced trauma. We want to ensure that kids have resources available to help and comfort them. To have an amazing nurse like Linda and Sarah available to our local children is a tremendous benefit to Webster County.”

-Submitted photo
Sarah, a rescue beagle and therapy dog, will be on hand at the Webster County Health Department’s pediatric Pfizer COVID vaccine clinic today.