Sometimes superheroes come in a pack

[Allina Health Newsroom, January 29, 2025] Ranger, the gentle-faced golden retriever, just completed his 500th visit as a therapy dog at Allina Health Mercy Hospital and Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus. On any given day, you can catch him sauntering down the hall on the end of a 6-foot leash, doing what he does naturally: providing comfort.

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"Ranger is beloved by everyone," said Laurie MacKechnie, who stands on the other end of Ranger's leash.

Laurie

Ranger and Laurie

Laurie, 70, is the head of this superhero pack of volunteers. She has been leading therapy dogs around Anoka and surrounding communities for about 16 years.

"When I retired from doing my day job, as I lovingly called it, I had more time on my hands," said Laurie. "I had seen a therapy dog years ago at Mercy Hospital, and I was so intrigued."

Her curiosity led her to ask questions. The next thing she knew, she had enrolled herself and her Golden Retriever Arthur in a 32-week class and achieved certification with Therapy Dogs International. After spending more than thirty years serving her community as an elementary school teacher and college professor, therapy dogs helped Laurie find a new path of service.

"I have just bonded with so many people through the dogs," said Laurie. "If you have a dog with you, they connect with you and tell you their story."

Laurie’s pack has grown since those early days with Arthur, who has since passed away. She has Ranger and his littermate Lily, both nearly 12 years old. Ranger is an equal opportunity comforter. Lily is more of an empath.

Lily

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“Lily will find the saddest person in the room and immediately go to them," added Laurie, who shared a story of Lily visiting an area of Mercy Hospital filled with people waiting for a man to come out of surgery.

"The area was packed, and I was trying to encourage her to see these people, some of whom were upset, and a couple were crying," added Laurie. "Lily beelined for this woman leaning against the door, and she just pushed her way in until the woman squatted down, put her arms around her, and sat with her. Someone leaned over and said that's his wife."

Laurie and her pack go wherever they are needed: hospitals, schools and senior complexes. She shared stories of her dogs comforting families as their loved one reached end of life, and in the next breath, she talked about taking the dogs to visit a friend who is 101 years old. You could hear the smile in her voice when she described Ranger visiting an elementary school and collecting treats from teachers as he made his way to a room of students.

"We walk in, and people just all know it's Ranger. He's just everybody's friend," explained Laurie.

Gus

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Laurie added Gus, another Golden Retriever, to her pack a few years ago. At three years old, he just passed his therapy dog test, and he is also a regular at Mercy Hospital.

“He is almost everyone’s favorite now. He’s just the sweetest dog,” added Laurie.

Sam

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And then there's Sam, who is two years old and keeping the pack on its toes with his energy. Although he has not walked any halls as an official therapy dog, he has already made an impact in a different way.

"We were providing end-of-life comfort to a gentleman who was alone and seemed depressed," said Laurie. I thought, 'What can I do to make him feel like the last day or two of his life is going to be meaningful?'"

Laurie offered to let him choose the name of her new puppy.

“So, he picked the name Sam, and that’s how Sam got his name,” recalled Laurie.

Laurie and her pack have even found a way to comfort those they cannot visit. Laurie writes a blog called Walking with Goldens that shares all the joy her pack brings to the world.

“I have people who have said, ‘please don’t stop writing these stories. It’s how I get up in the morning,’” said Laurie.

And so, they’ll continue their journey as valued volunteers with Allina Health and all over the community.

Posted on January 29, 2025 in Mercy Hospital

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