Cancer survivors Keith Jewett and dog Winna share joy with patients | Corewell Health

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“Would you like a doggie stop by?” asks clinic volunteer Keith Jewett as his therapy dog, Winna, stands at the ready, tail a wagging.

Couple can resist.

Just after declaring certainly, Winna and Keith approach, and Winna carefully locations her head on a patient or visitor’s lap and gladly accepts petting.

And for a couple of valuable moments, the thoughts of most cancers subside as Winna’s delicate eyes and comfortable fur convey pleasure to these she encounters.

If conversation follows, as it typically does, Keith shares that Winna is a cancer survivor way too and demonstrates the scar where a mast mobile tumor was eliminated from Winna’s facet in the tumble of 2020 when she was only a puppy dog.

Irrespective of eradicating the tumor, Winna’s prognosis wasn’t fantastic. But with Winna in great overall health a 12 months later on, Jewett designed the choice to have her provide other folks.

“When she outlived her expiration day, that was a sign–she defeat her cancer,” Jewett said. “I thought, ‘she desires to be a most cancers therapy pet.’”

Winna, a Spaniel combine, was properly trained and is certified with the Alliance of Therapy Canine. She and Jewett have been volunteering at Corewell Health’s Large Rapids and Reed Town hospitals and at the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Middle considering the fact that Could of 2022.

A cancer survivor himself, Jewett also usually takes Winna with him when he visits the most cancers centre for his possess treatment.

Right after investing time with patients and people, Jewett and Winna quit by to see group associates, creating the rounds and bringing smiles. Winna and affected individual products and services representative Shannon Carmichael are generally joyful to see each and every other.

“For sufferers and us crew users alike, Winna is just a ray of sunshine who frequently looks to know just when to make her rounds,” Carmichael said. “Her affection can brighten even the darkest of times.”

Jewett’s cancer journey begun in the late 90s when he was diagnosed with two forms of blood most cancers. He started acquiring therapy from viewing medical professionals in a trailer behind Reed City Hospital ahead of the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Centre was created.

“I was below, right before below was below,” he joked.

He was also diagnosed with choroidal melanoma, cancer of the eye, in 2015 and prostate cancer in 2016. Jewett has a prosthetic proper eye following having his eye removed in 2018.

Jewett is a retired professor at Ferris Condition College where by he taught computer programming, networking and electronics for 18 yrs.

He joined FSU soon after retiring from the Navy, wherever he served 20 decades, in component on a nuclear submarine.

Jewett’s spouse of 49 years, Mary, talked him into receiving a doggy in 2020. The couple life in Hawkins, Michigan, in close proximity to Reed Town.

“She was supposed to be my remedy pet dog,” he said of Winna.

Jewett will get psychological in describing the have an effect on Winna has when interacting with clients.

“She has a superb temperament,” he reported. “I like seeing how people today reply to her. It definitely impacts some individuals.”

Winna invested time with cancer client Wendy Montague, from Major Rapids, on January 23 at the most cancers middle. Montague stroked Winna’s head and ears and chatted briefly with Jewett.

It was a short, but sweet, exchange. Sadly, a few months later, Montague passed absent.

Winna, now around 3 many years old, reveals no indications of slowing down. She and Jewett volunteer at the hospitals and most cancers middle two to a few hours each 7 days.

“Patients and staff members alike like paying time with Keith and Winna,” said volunteer solutions coordinator Suzie Hicks. “Therapy canine are constantly well known and Winna is these kinds of a sweetie–and of class Keith has a quite interesting story.”

When questioned why he decided to volunteer, Jewett is speedy to credit Winna.

“I wouldn’t be executing this if it wasn’t for her,” he reported. “We’re both equally cancer survivors.”



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