Colmar. Civil Hospitals: Olive the dog brings comfort to palliative care patients

Long banned from hospitals for hygiene reasons, animals are making their debut at the Colmar Civil Hospitals this year in palliative care, oncology, and pediatrics, where they soothe patients and caregivers. A report on palliative care, where Olive the dog has been a regular since last March.

For Olive, a good-natured seven-year-old poodle/golden cross, to be able to set foot on the floor of the HCC palliative care, it took a lot of determination on the part of her owner Fanny Weckerle (left) and the ward's caregivers, Dr. Steib and his colleague Cécile Cordier (right). Photos Nicolas Pinot

Once every two weeks, cheerful calls come from the palliative care rooms on the first floor of building 4 of the Colmar Civil Hospitals ( HCC).

"Olive, come here!" Jean-Pierre called out on Tuesday, May 13, a little frustrated at not having been able to pet the dog during his last visit. "There was no more time," said the patient, who this time would be treated to a petting session on the long-haired, peaceful poodle/golden cross.

At her side, "Olive's mother", Fanny Weckerle, accompanies this animal mediation session, distributes the reward kibble and scrutinizes her dog's reactions....

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