A healing bond: Parkland, SPCA of Texas care for patient, his dog
New partnership shows how caring for pets helps patients focus on recovery
When Mark Deveraux arrived at Parkland Memorial Hospital’s emergency department last month, he wasn’t just worried about his own heart. He was worried about his dog, Sapphire.
The 4-year-old German shepherd mix rarely leaves his side. Deveraux rescued her two years ago after she’d been abused, and since then, “she won’t let me out of her sight,” he said.
Deveraux, who lives in Dallas County and has congestive heart failure, was admitted for a cardiac ablation. He came to Parkland with Sapphire and her crate but had no one to care for her while he was hospitalized. “She’s a service animal, and she gets nervous when anyone gets too close,” he said. “The staff was great, but she barked a lot trying to protect me.”
That’s when Parkland’s new partnership with the SPCA of Texas stepped in to help. Through a new program launched this fall, the SPCA provides temporary shelter and care for pets belonging to Parkland patients who need to be hospitalized but don’t have other options for their animals.
Because Deveraux was admitted late in the evening, Sapphire first spent the night at Dallas Animal Services. The next morning, the SPCA of Texas transported her to its Dallas Animal Care Center, where staff cared for her while Deveraux recovered.
“They took care of my baby and brought her back to me in better condition,” Deveraux said. “She got her shots, she made a friend, she was happy and being cared for. That calmed me down, knowing she was safe.”
Dre Floyd, Behavior Supervisor at the SPCA of Texas, said Sapphire was anxious at first but quickly warmed up. “The trick to shepherds is their tummies, it’s the fastest way to their heart,” Floyd said. “After a few hot dogs, she relaxed and enjoyed her walks.”
A week later, when Deveraux was discharged, the SPCA reunited the two. “As soon as she saw me, she pulled the leash right out of Dre’s hands,” Deveraux said. “It was nothing but puppy kisses after that.”
The experience, he said, changed his outlook. “At first, I was nervous, a lot of people think when you give your dog to the SPCA, you won’t see them again,” he said. “But they did a bang-up job taking care of her. It was stress free, hassle free and trustworthy. I’d recommend it to anyone who has a fur baby and needs help.”
The partnership between Parkland Health and the SPCA of Texas ensures that patients like Deveraux don’t have to choose between getting care for themselves or caring for their pets. Under the agreement, Parkland identifies eligible patients, and the SPCA provides temporary boarding, veterinary care, vaccinations and enrichment for up to 14 days.
“For many of our patients, pets are family,” said Danielle Hernandez, Director of Care Coordination at Parkland. “Knowing their companion is safe allows patients to relax and concentrate on getting well. It’s a simple solution that can make a huge difference during a difficult time,” she said.
“We are excited that our first opportunity to help a Parkland patient and their companion animal was successful in allowing the hospital staff members to concentrate on patient care, while alleviating some of the patient’s stress,” said SPCA of Texas Senior Director of Lifesaving Operations Sarah Sheek. “This partnership with Parkland Health allows us to meet people where they are at a time when they need it the most – preserving the human animal bond and creating a connection that can continue to support pet owners even after they’re reunited with their pet.”
For Deveraux, it made all the difference. “I felt at peace knowing she was safe,” he said. “She’s my best friend, and now I know Parkland and the SPCA have her back too.”
For more information about Parkland services, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
About SPCA of Texas
Founded in 1938, the SPCA of Texas is a 501(c)3 non-profit animal welfare organization that operates one shelter, one spay/neuter clinic, one mobile adoptions vehicle and an animal rescue center, all located in Dallas County. The entity maintains a team of animal cruelty investigators who rescue hundreds of animals from cruel situations each year in North Texas counties. Moreover, the SPCA of Texas serves as an active resource center for an array of services that bring people and animals together to enrich each other’s lives.
The SPCA of Texas is not affiliated with any other organization and does not receive general operating funds from the City of Dallas, State of Texas, federal government or any other national humane organization. SPCA of Texas is dedicated to providing every animal exceptional care and a loving home. To learn more about the SPCA of Texas, visit spca.org.
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