He Hadn’t Spoken in Months—Until the Therapy Do
1. A Usual Visit, With a Different Feeling
I had been visiting patients at the hospital with my therapy dog, Riley, for a while. Usually, people lit up when they saw him—his wagging tail and gentle nature always brought smiles. But today was different.
2. Meeting Mr. Callahan
The nurses led us into a quiet room where an elderly man, Mr. Callahan, lay silent, staring at the ceiling. “He hasn’t responded much,” a nurse whispered. “Maybe Riley can reach him.” Riley quietly jumped onto the bed and rested his head on Mr. Callahan’s chest.
3. A Small Miracle
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the man breathed in deeply, his hand barely twitching before settling on Riley’s fur. Finally, in a faint, dry voice, he said, “Good boy.” The room stilled. Then came a word: “Marigold…” I repeated it, unsure. Mr. Callahan looked at me and said, “She brought me flowers every Sunday. Marigolds. Said they matched my hair when I was young.” A soft smile crossed his face.
4. Memory and Connection
The nurse whispered, “He hasn’t said a name in months.” Riley let out a soft whine, pulling Mr. Callahan back from memory. He patted Riley and looked at me. “You remind me of her,” he said. “The way you care for your dog. She had that same way with animals.”
