Caregivers Corner: Theresa and Sadie Are Paw Pals for VITAS Healthcare

By Nancy Kennedy

Theresa Burchfield has made volunteerism a part of her life since her teenage years, contributing as often as possible to organizations and supporting a wide range of charitable causes. Today, she is a volunteer caregiver with VITAS Hospice, providing in-home supportive services to patients who have life-limiting conditions. 

Theresa often visits her patients accompanied by a partner: her dog Sadie. Sadie is a nine year old black lab who seems to fully understand the assignment: with Theresa, she offers comfort, quiet companionship, connection and welcome relief from pain, anxiety or sadness. She loves people, according to Theresa, who recognized Sadie’s gifts when she took her on walks and watched how easily she interacted with people. “Sadie is not a service dog or a therapy dog,” Theresa explains. “Sadie is a good dog.”

Once a week, Theresa and Sadie head to the home of a woman for whom Theresa performs light, practical household tasks. While she works, Sadie sits with the patient, enjoying the attention. Initially, Theresa visited alone but when she showed Sadie’s picture to the patient, she asked to meet the dog. “They formed a bond and their relationship grew,” Theresa recalls. “Now, when we arrive, Sadie goes directly to her friend and rests her head on her lap. She’s a very gentle dog.”

Theresa and Sadie live in Weirton, WV, with Theresa’s husband and two sons. Sadie was adopted as a rescue dog, and now she is paying it forward, with her rescuer Theresa. “Volunteering is a way to make the day better for someone else and I encourage everyone to consider doing it. Find a way to give by doing something you love. I found my perfect place at VITAS through the Volunteer Match web site. Find out if your company gives you eight hours for volunteering, and use it!”

Theresa is the Director of Project Management for PACE, a life sciences company. Through her caregiving volunteer work, she embodies the spirit of the often quoted words of another Theresa, Mother Theresa, who said that each of us must be the change that we wish to see in the world. To each person she visits, Theresa brings emotional support, practical assistance, listening skills, comfort and loving kindness. And often, she brings Sadie.

To learn more about VITAS Healthcare, visit www.vitas.com

Volunteer Match matches people with volunteer opportunities. Visit www.volunteermatch.com