Inspiration in furry volunteer
Vancouver Coastal Health has hundreds of volunteers helping our staff help our patients.
One of our most popular and, arguably, one of our smallest and furriest volunteers is Elsa, a three-year-old pit bull who provides friendship and support for people with brain and spinal injuries at G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre.
“I really enjoy the experience of volunteering at G.F. Strong,” says Elsa’s owner Kelly Dann. “I expect to keep volunteering with her as long as my schedule and Elsa’s health allows us to.”
In 2011, a 14-month-old Elsa was at a dog daycare centre when she collapsed, paralyzed from a massive stroke. For the next 18 months, Elsa received intense physiotherapy to recover the use of her back legs – she received therapy not unlike the help given to the patients of GF Strong for their injuries.
“After doing some research online, I found out about G.F. Strong,” Kelly explains. “This was to me, the perfect match of a facility for Elsa. I felt that Elsa could relate to some of the clients at GF Strong because they had gone through similar situations. Also, it was my hope that some people would feel inspired by Elsa’s recovery to help them through their own rehab.”
At G.F. Strong, which is B.C.’s largest rehabilitation centre, Elsa and Kelly roll around the hallways visiting the patients and talking to them about recovery – Elsa is usually in a stroller because it’s hard for her to walk long distances.
The benefits are different for each person,” Kelly says. “Some people show great interest in hearing Elsa’s story. Some people like to share their own story. Others like to talk about their own pets or just open the door to having a general conversation. For a few, they feel very inspired and moved by Elsa. Sometimes she makes people laugh. Each visit is very unique and special.”
Kelly says she is regularly inspired by her best friend.
“Elsa, through love and support found the strength to relearn how to walk,” she says. “She was very motivated to get moving again – I could see that same spirit in her. She was very happy and playful despite the difficulty walking and she was not giving up. For her to have that determination is what made me decide that if she’s not giving up then I am not giving up on her.”
