Skippy: A little dog who stole the heart of a hospital

Melanie Hayes was tired of sitting in her hospital bed, so she walked down to the healing garden at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital (SVBGH) for some fresh air. Moments later, volunteer Bob Norville and his therapy dog Skippy, a small Yorkshire Terrier, walked by and sat with her.

“I just remember Skippy being very peaceful and sweet,” said Hayes, who had been in the hospital for a month at that point. “He was something to hold onto, something to love at that difficult time.”

Melanie Hayes was in the hospital for over a month. A visit from Skippy was everything she needed during that difficult time.

Seven years later, a large crowd gathered in that same garden to honor the memory of Skippy, who unexpectedly passed away in late February.

“I cried, it’ll still make me cry,” said Norville, who, along with Skippy, volunteered more than 2,000 hours since first joining SVBGH’s therapy dog program in August 2016. “It was heartfelt that so many people responded and it helped me better understand what Skippy meant to so many.”

Sonia Cooper, vice president and chief nursing officer of SVBGH, stopped a meeting so that she and 15 other nursing leaders could attend Skippy’s memorial. Former SVBGH chief nursing officer, Peggy Braun, also attended the memorial.

“The garden was packed. The emotion was palpable,” said Braun, who had worked at SVBGH for over 30 years. “The impact Bob and Skippy had in this hospital was tremendous.” 

"He was an active member with his badge as part of Virginia Beach General staff," said Cooper. "People would truly stop what they were doing and want to pet him and receive his energy as he was so adept in giving."

National Animal Therapy Day

In 2015, April 30 was designated National Animal Therapy Day by Pet Partners, a national organization which registers therapy animals for animal-assisted intervention. The day was created to recognize the over 50,000 trained therapy dogs in the U.S. who partner with their human companions to bring comfort, joy, and healing to those in need.

Sentara has embraced animal therapy as an integral part of healing for patients. Eleven out of 12 Sentara hospitals, in addition to Sentara hospice, have dedicated animal therapy programs. In 2023, more than 40 therapy dogs and handlers across Sentara logged 1,600 hours visiting patients and more than 800 hours have been logged so far this year.

Some of the more than 40 therapy dogs across the Sentara Health system who, along with their handlers, bring joy and comfort to anyone they meet.

“Research has shown that patients have had less complaints of pain, fewer needs for pain meds, better vital signs, heart rate, and blood pressure after interacting with a therapy dog,” said Stephanie Sims, M.D., FACS, a general surgeon with Coastal Surgical Specialists.

“When I saw the well-established therapy dog program at Virginia Beach General, it inspired me to certify my Bulldog, Nala, and start volunteering,” said Dr. Sims, who performs general and trauma surgeries at SVBGH.

Leading the way 

In the fall of 2019, Dr. Sims and Nala officially became volunteers with SVBGH’s therapy dog program. They began by rounding the hospital with Norville and Skippy, who had become the official orientators for new dogs joining the program.

“I remember being in a patient’s room. The family was there. There was a lot going on and Skippy just closed his eyes and fell asleep in the patient’s arms,” recalled Dr. Sims. “It really made an impact on the way I want to keep encouraging Nala to be, to have that level of peace and trust in the program, and in me as her handler.”

Stephanie Sims, M.D., celebrates her Bulldog, Nala, getting certified as a therapy dog.

“I always told newcomers it wasn’t a contest to see how many patients you could see in a day; it was the quality of time you spent with each patient that mattered most,” said Norville. “We might spend 40 minutes with a patient and if they don’t have friends or family visiting that may be the longest conversation they've had all day or all week.” 

To give the SVBGH dog program greater exposure, Norville started taking portraits of each dog to create trading cards that can be given to patients. There is a collage of SVBGH’s therapy dogs on each floor of the hospital. 

“The wonderful photography he’s done has equally brought as much joy,” said Jayne Walden-Kleinknight, clinical nurse manager at SVBGH. “Bob has such a passion for this. It gives him purpose and joy to be so connected and give to his fellow man.”

"Dr. Skippy" posters and the therapy dog portrait collages helped brighten the days of employees, patients, and families.

Norville partnered with nurses and chaplains during the COVID pandemic to create the “Dr. Skippy” poster campaign series to help boost morale. The posters featured the dog in a variety of settings to help promote awareness of sepsis, honoring national holidays, and reminding staff to wear sunscreen in the summer.

“His pictures and posters are still up on every floor so there's a constant reminder of him everywhere I look,” said Norville.

Connecting with patients, staff, and each other

Less than 24 hours before Skippy passed away, he and Norville were visiting a group therapy session on the behavioral health unit (BHU); a visit they had been making every Wednesday for the past two years.

Because of their experience and Skippy’s calming nature, they were the only volunteers allowed on the BHU; a unit home to patients dealing with varying mental health diagnoses. Often, patients would sit in a circle and pass Skippy around so everyone had a chance to hold him.

In one encounter, there was a patient who was self-isolating and not joining group therapy sessions. She had recently lost her dog, a Yorkie, which was part of the reason why she was struggling mentally.

“When I told her that Skippy was visiting, she immediately got excited to come to group therapy,” said Margaret Honaker, recreation therapist on the BHU. “She was able to hold Skippy and afterwards told me it felt like she was holding her little dog. After that, she started coming to all the other groups and was a lot more open and willing to participate, and just be more present.”

Hospital staff make it their mission to provide quality physical and emotional care; however, patients sometimes won’t open up and many staff have found that all it takes is a visit from a therapy dog to break down any barriers.

Skippy curling up with a patient and falling asleep as if he's known them his entire life. Skippy had absolute trust in everyone he met. He loved the world and believed the world loved him back.

“We had this elderly lady who wasn’t really with it or conversing. You’d say, ‘good morning’ and know she was there, but she would never respond,” said Walden-Kleinknight. “Skippy snuggled right up to her and there was a connection because she somewhat woke up; her frail little hand stroked Skippy and her daughters were quite tearful. It was precious to see their mom have that connection, especially in her final days.”

As much comfort and joy as Skippy brought to patients, Norville did the same. He never rushed a visit. He would talk with anyone about anything and let Skippy rest in their arms. He was on speed dial with physicians and chaplains and would come in at the drop of a hat if needed.

Many people have left this world, not alone, but with Norville and Skippy at their side. Norville’s belief in the therapy program, and his steadfast dedication, is why Skippy became one of the most beloved therapy dogs at SVBGH.

A legacy lives on; Skippy Des Deux Coeurs Et Ames

“Personally, I think Skippy is watching over him,” said Norville. “Nothing phases him and puppies are usually very skittish. He's taking on more mannerisms and doing the things Skippy did.”

Skippy Jr. has just started puppy training with Lynn Haines, a dog trainer at PetSmart. Ironically, Haines also trained Skippy, Dr. Sim’s Bulldog, and several other SVBGH therapy dogs.

Skippy Jr.'s first training session. Norville hopes to get him certified as a therapy dog in January 2025.

“Skippy would be happy to see that daddy has gotten another puppy and is going to continue that legacy,” said Haynes, who attended and spoke at Skippy’s memorial. “When he gets closer to a year-old we’ll start focusing on the things they’ll really be looking for when he gets tested for certification.”

Skippy Jr. must wait until he’s at least one year old to get his therapy dog certification, however he’s already been visiting the hospital and spending time with staff.

“I got to hold Skippy Jr. and it felt like I was holding Skippy again,” said Honaker, who had seen Skippy on the BHU the morning before he passed away. “Once Skippy Jr. goes through all his training, I’d love to have him up here. It’s definitely special and I’m excited to see where it goes.”

Margaret Honaker (left), recreational therapist, meeting Skippy Jr. for the first time. Jayne Walden-Kleinknight (right), clinical nurse manager, is excited for Skippy Jr. to visit with patients and families in the future.

“Bob came up last week, we were at the nurse’s station, and I got to hold Skippy Jr.,” said Walden-Kleinknight. “I said, ‘Is Skippy really gone?’ It was so real; he gave me kisses just like Skippy used to do. The joy I saw in Bob was priceless. He’s able to continue the mission and that brought me even more joy.”

Norville said, “After nine years, I never expected to be training another puppy to become a therapy dog. However, I felt that Skippy’s mission in life was cut short and hopefully Skippy Deux will continue that. He’s a puppy but still shows patience and loves everyone he meets. That was Skippy. Skippy loved the world and knew everyone loved him.”

Skippy lived to see people. He loved everyone he met. The pawprint he left on this world will forever be cemented in the hearts of those who knew him, only if for a moment. Skippy Jr. is already loved by so many of the employees at SVBGH. Norville is confident he will continue Skippy's legacy and looks forward to January 2025 when he will be eligible to receive his therapy dog certification.