St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program provides smiles and comfort to patients and staff at HSC Winnipeg, thanks to HSC Foundation donors
Finnie, a member of the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, eagerly awaits his opportunity to greet patients and staff at HSC Winnipeg.
Every Thursday around lunchtime, Finnie sits and waits in the HSC Foundation Donor Celebration Centre by Health Science Centre’s William Avenue entrance. It typically doesn’t take more than a minute or two before someone will stop and greet him. This initial hello will quickly be followed by another visitor, and then another—after close to five years of volunteering at HSC Winnipeg, Finnie is well-known and well-liked.
It’s also hard to resist that smile and wagging tail.
Finnie and his owner, Angelique Lynn Duseigne, have been actively involved in the dog community for years—their diverse skillsets have brought them everywhere from dog shows and agility competitions to movie sets. They have been a key part of the St. John Ambulance Pet Therapy Program for five years.
A star is born! Finnie’s winning smile and talent have earned him spots in nationally aired television commercials.
Their volunteering journey initially began in a seniors’ home, but when the pandemic struck, the need for therapy dogs at HSC to help staff cope became apparent. Finnie quickly became a beloved presence among the staff, providing much-needed comfort and a moment of calm in their demanding schedules.
One of the most poignant moments in their journey came after the devastating Carberry bus crash in 2023. As a member of the CISM K9 (crisis response) program, Finnie was called in to support the families of those affected. Visiting HSC’s ICU and offering comfort to grieving families was a challenging experience for Duseigne and Finnie, but it underscored the profound impact therapy dogs have during difficult times.
“Finnie typically sleeps in the car on our way home from our shifts at the hospital, but on that particular day he slept the rest of the day after we got home. It was just so much; you could tell he really felt it,” says Duseigne. “That was probably our hardest day, but I feel like Finnie and I helped.”
Finnie (far right) with his brothers Marley and Brady. Brady, who is just six months old, will be joining Finnie in the therapy dog program when he is a little older.
The St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program at HSC is supported by the generous efforts of HSC Foundation donors—the Just Like New To You Thrift Shop. Currently celebrating its 19th year, this store, which is entirely run by volunteers, many of whom are retired nurses, has raised close to $1 million for HSC. The store has generously donated $10,000to support ongoing costs related to training and onboarding the therapy dog teams.
Just Like New To You Thrift Shop is located at 635 Portage Avenue.
For incoming President of Just Like New To You, Susan Lockhart, volunteering at the store is a family tradition—her mother, Nancy Johnson, was one of five retired nurses who founded the shop. Lockhart was instantly captivated when she volunteered for a shift in 2017 and has been a dedicated volunteer ever since. Just Like New To You not only provides financial support to HSC, but also fosters a sense of community and purpose among its volunteers. Many, like Lockhart, have a deep connection to health care and understand the profound impact of programs like pet therapy.
“I have seen firsthand the impact dogs can have on people in a health care setting. It lightens your spirit and changes your perspective,” Lockhart explains.
A calm, happy dog, Finnie looks forward to his time at HSC Winnipeg. “When we put his vest on, Finnie knows it’s time to work,” says Duseigne.
By selling affordable items, the shop both assists the surrounding community and supports essential programs at HSC Winnipeg. And thanks to their support, Duseigne and Finnie, and the rest of the Therapy Dog Program team, can keep doing what they do best—bringing a sense of normalcy, distraction, and calm to patients, their families, and staff at HSC, and proving that sometimes, a furry friend is the best medicine of all.
To learn more about the Dog Therapy Program, click here to watch February 2024 Global News coverage. To make your gift to the HSC Foundation, please donate here or call 204-515-5612 or 1-800-679-8493 (toll-free).
By Heather Milne
