Danville, Illinois - She doesn't wear a white coat, offer
medical advice or dispense medicine.
But each time Hannah makes her rounds at the Veterans
Affairs Illiana Health Care System, she showers patients — and staff — with
loads of affection, lowering their blood pressure and lifting their spirits in
the process.
Hannah, a nearly 8-year-old Collie, is a certified pet
therapy dog, and Marilyn Campbell of Georgetown is her owner and handler.
While Hannah usually draws most of the attention at the Veterans
Hospital in Danville, it's Campbell who is being recognized by the Illinois
Municipal Retirement Fund this month for her volunteer work with her
four-legged friend and other therapy dogs.
In the last 20 years, the Vermilion County Conservation
District retiree has certified more than 200 dogs for therapy service. And once
a week for the last 18 months or so, she and Hannah have been visiting the
veteran patients.
"Ms. Campbell is a wonderful example of an IMRF
retiree who, through service, is making a difference in the community,"
said Louis W. Kosiba, the organization's executive director. "Her story is
an inspiration to others to volunteer their time to help others."
Campbell and six others from across the state were
nominated for IMRF's "Year of the Volunteer" contest, spotlighting
volunteerism within the organization's membership. They will be honored in
December.
At that time, the organization will select one of them as
its Volunteer of the Year. The recipient will receive $1,000 to donate to his
or her preferred service organization.
To read more on this story, click here: Meet Hannah, an 8-Year-Old Collie, Who is Lowering Blood Pressure at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System
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