After 13 Years as a Loyal "Pet Partner", We Say Goodbye

Allie the dog brought many smiles to patients and employees of Sierra View Medical Center. She served 13 happy years with us as a Paws 4 Healing and Pet Partners member. Her last visit to our healthcare facilities was early September this year and she passed a short few weeks after.

Allie loved her job and although she brought joy to those who needed it most. Between her excitement for visiting the hospital and the way she interacted with people, especially those at the bedside, it seemed to be her calling and it brought her much happiness.

Marsha Owen, Allie’s owner, wrote an article she submitted to Pet Partners and it includes stories that are a few of many examples of how much she loved serving others and the type of an impression she left on patients. Her intuition about those she visited was sometimes remarkable.

One example is of a visit to a patient who could not raise her arm to pet Allies head. Allie scooted her nose to the lady’s hand and patiently stayed there while the lady slowly moved her fingers to pet the top of Allie’s head.

She also had her favorite “clients” that she became attached to and had a special bond with. Two special patient friends of Allie’s included a gentleman and a lady in the subacute. She knew where their rooms were and rushed to see them when she was headed towards that particular unit. As for the lady, she visited her until she passed away and was asked by the family to attend the service as they knew that Allie had made an impact on her during her stay at the hospital.

Throughout Allie’s volunteer career, she visited other facilities such as Valley Adult Day Services, Porterville Sheltered Workshop, Sierra Hills Independent Living, as well as school visits and other special occasion visits through the years.

Allie was a smart and fun dog with much personality and lived a long and happy life. She spent many days serving others and bringing a glimpse of happiness to those seeking healthcare, and a sense of warmth to visitors and employees. She was also a loyal companion who was one of the best traveling buddies to Marsha and Henry Owen. She will be missed by many including several of us at Sierra View!