Four-legged therapy, thanks to an ArcelorMittal Monessen employee
12.22.2017
Meet the volunteer who might just greet you with a kiss!
Russell Peck is a longtime employee at the Monessen Coke Plant. When the by-product supervisor isn’t on the job, he’s spending time in local aging and medical facilities with Benji the therapy dog.
Benji is Russell’s six-year-old Labrador Retriever and certified therapy dog, registered with Therapy Dogs International. Benji had to pass the AKC Good Citizens basic obedience and Therapy Dogs International tests. The TDI test consists of being around walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, loud noises, small children and other medical equipment.
Benji passed the TDI test in 2014. In September of this year, he made his 350th visit. Under TDI’s award program, with 350 visits, Benji went from a “Remarkable Volunteer” with 250 visits to an “Exceptional Volunteer”. He visits the local hospital, two personal care homes, a special needs class at the local high school, and Life’s Work, an organization for the disabled.
“We just walk around and visit the patients,” explained Russell. “A lot of times I’ll get stopped in the hall, and somebody will ask me to come see a family member. Then, we go to the therapy rooms and visit people who have had knee replacements, shoulder surgeries and other procedures.”
Many patients in care homes or hospitals – who have had pets and miss them – find Benji very
comforting. There are doctors at the hospital who look forward to his visits as well.
And Benji has name recognition. Benji gives out name cards with his picture on them that say, “I hope my visit has brightened your day.”
“As soon as we walk in, the guards say ‘Benji’s here!’, Russell said. “You never hear my name.”
But Benji and Russell both get something special from their visits.
“He gets treats; I get satisfaction,” Russell said. “I’m helping people and making people feel better throughout the day.”
You can follow Benji on Facebook at “Benji the Therapy Dog.” He has more than 2,400 followers.
If you are interested in the therapy dog program, you can visit the Therapy Dogs International website at
www.tdi-dog.org or call by phone at (973) 252-9800.
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