Have you seen a dog therapist? They are the dogs that go from hospitals to hospitals to greet the patients, particularly those in the children's ward. I have seen a report on tv and it's very touching. However, I noticed that not all kids react to dogs and some were even afraid.
Have you considered taking care of a dog therapist so you can spend time in the hospital to cheer up the patient?
I think these are either volunteers or commonly social workers who work with dogs. Animal therapy has been known to lessen stress in people. Animals are generally trustworthy and people let their guards around them. I think there was a program where you can volunteer your dog to be trained for this kind of social work. Perhaps this would be a good way for the owner and his dog to bond by donating their time to lessen psychological loads in patients.
