When the Chester County Health Department held a vaccine clinic recently at Owen J. Roberts (OJR) Middle School, Bella the therapy dog was also on hand to provide comfort and ease anxiety for both children and adults.

Bella, 6, a toy poodle, and owner Kim Broach of West Chester, are part of the PAWS for People program, a nonprofit organization that provides therapeutic visits to people who would benefit from interacting with a loving pet. The Delaware-based group was founded in 2005 by former teacher Lynne Robinson.

At OJR Middle School, PAWS for People volunteers were asked to visit with people as they waited in line for their vaccine as well as to comfort people afterwards. Since Broach is an advanced practice nurse, she is familiar with the vaccination process. "(We were asked) if someone could be there when people come in and greet them, and if there is a long line, it would give people something to talk about," Broach said. "The pet is there if a child is upset or if someone needs support, or they can be there after the shot to help stop (children) from crying."

"As a nurse, you have compassion. It takes compassion to do this as well," she added. "Lynne, the founder, is an amazing woman."

For people receiving a COVID vaccination or a flu shot who have a fear of needles, Bella's presence in the gymnasium at OJR Middle School, along with the presence of other pets from PAWS for People, was a blessing during the clinic on Oct. 24. "It got so busy ... and there were kids on their parents' laps crying and crying," said Broach. "After I asked the nurse, I would go up (to the child receiving a vaccine) and I had Bella face away - nowhere near the arm," said Broach. "If the shot was in the left arm, Bella would be on the right and I would talk about trick-or-treating and Halloween, and it made it easier. The parents were so grateful."

Broach pointed out that Bella has been a therapy dog since 2021. "Bella went through private training. She did three levels of training and then you go to Good Citizenship training, and she completed that," said Broach. "(Training makes sure) that (the pets) are safe around people. (Instructors) make loud noises and see how (the pets) react, make sure they are following commands, and they learn how to put their paws on someone's lap if they are larger dogs."

PAWS for People volunteers choose their assignments based on email messages sent out by the organization. "There are emails saying, 'Here are our needs for the month of October.' We go to Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania," she said. "I scroll down to Pennsylvania and see which ones fit with my schedule. I am in a phase of my life where I can dedicate the time to do this, and I want to give back."

The first time that Bella and Broach took part in a vaccine clinic was during the pandemic. "During COVID when it was the first time little kids ages 6 to 12 were allowed to get vaccinated, I went to a school and after the child got (his or her) shot there were five or six of us with dogs," she recalled. "We were not allowed at that point to sit with them (while they got the shot), but (afterward) the giant tears went away when they saw the dogs. It was so wonderful."

Bella and Broach also regularly visit Arbor Terrace in Exton to spend time with the senior residents and help children read at the Downingtown Library. Broach said that therapy dogs can produce amazing results. "There was a little girl who would not talk. After six months of coming to the library every other week she started reading to Bella," Broach said. "One of my friends' husbands had a stroke and kept trying to leave the hospital because he wanted to go home to his dog, an Akita. We went and got Bella to be with him and he stayed (at the hospital for treatment)."

To learn more about PAWS for People or to request a therapy dog, visit http://www.pawsforpeople.org or http://www.facebook.com/PAWSforPeople. Those with questions may email info@PAWSforPeople.org.